“I wanted to kiss you.” She admits shyly.

Spencer wasn’t expecting that. In fact, he was so caught off guard by the revelation that he spit his drink halfway across the room.

“What?!” He asks in disbelief, almost simultaneously.

“Nothin’, forget I said that.” She’s feeling embarrassed by Spencer’s reaction.

“No…no…no…I’m just not use to girls tellin’ me things like that.” Spencer answers honestly.

Ashley feels better knowing that Spencer wasn’t unhappy because of her confession. Spencer does have some questions though.

“So, ya wanted to kiss me to show those two jerks that I’m more than half a man?”

 “Yeah.” Ashley answers without hesitation.

“No…I wanted to kiss you so you’d know that no matter what they say, you are a great guy!” She smiles.

“So, why didn’t ya?” He asks curiously.

“What would you have done if I did?” She answers his question with a question, just as curious as he is.

“I probably woulda kissed ya back.” He says honestly before pausing “Normally I’m very private when it comes to things like that…I guess I feel like those kinda moments should be between me and the girl, but I’m pretty sure if you woulda kissed me, even if it was in front of everyone at lunch, I woulda kissed you back.”  He adds.

“Good to know.” Ashley pauses. Then while she looks into his eyes she adds “By the way, I wasn’t gonna kiss you just ‘cause I wanted to shut them up, or ‘cause I wanted ya to feel good ‘bout yourself…”

Spencer looks confused which prompts Ashley to clarify.

“They were part of it, but mostly I wanted to kiss you ‘cause…I’m startin’ to have feelin’s for you, Spence.” She says appearing uncharacteristically shy as she concludes her confession.

“Ya just answered my next question…but now I have another…”

“Oh boy.” Ashley responds nervous, worried, and wondering what he’s thinking.

“It’s okay Ash…this’s a good thing…”

He’s succeeded in his efforts to calm her as evident by her smile.

“Ya keep talkin in past tense…ya sure ya weren’t just caught up in the moment?” He asks really hoping she says no.

“Look at me Spence, I mean really look into my eyes.” She insists sweetly.

Now that they are looking into each other’s eyes, Ashley continues.