You met Spencer a few months ago, and immediately fell for him — it wasn’t difficult. He was sweet, intelligent, and even the parts of himself that he viewed as less-than-loveable, you loved about him anyways.

The only problem?

You were 10 years older than him.

It had been weird to you at first — he was only 24, an FBI agent who had matured far too young for his own good, while you were 34 and still navigating aspects of your life he had already figured out. But to Spencer you were a solace he never thought he’d find.

But your friends… they didn’t understand it. Not really — but tonight they took it too far.

“Where’s Spencer?” Jess asks, sipping on the glass of wine she’d been working on ever since the three of you had arrived at your apartment. “Don’t you two usually stay together?”

You nod, smiling faintly. “He’s at work.”

“FBI, right?” Ella cuts in. “He’s so young. I can’t believe they let him in at that age.”

“Probably because he’s a dork.”

The words cause your eyes to shift over to Jess, and it’s clear she senses her words have struck a nerve as she holds her hands up in surrender. “Sorry- sorry. Genius,” she corrects. But you can hear the condescending undertone in her words.

“Well I think it’s really nice that you’re giving him a chance, you know?” Ella says. "Most people like him don’t get a chance with somebody as beautiful as you.”

The words were meant to be a compliment. Somehow. But to you? They made your blood absolutely boil.

“Get out.”

Their eyes both widen. “What? But we were just-“

“No. I don’t care,” you cut her off. “He’s not some charity case. He’s my boyfriend. And until you learn to respect that I don’t want you here. Go.”

Sensing they’d messed up, it isn’t long before they’re trudging out of your apartment… passing right by Spencer.

Your eyes widen as you see him, the sad look on his face making your heart drop — he’d definitely heard their words.