"You don't have to try. You already do," Joel assures him, brushing one hand over the side of Spencer's face before he pulls back and smiles. He can still feel the anger in him, simmering just below the surface, and he has every intention of finding out as much about this man as he can, every detail, though he has no idea what he might do with all that information. All he knows is that he might need it someday and while he has no clear plan, he knows the time might arise when everything works out in his favour, a situation in which he can impress upon Eli how important it is to never come within a hundred feet of Spencer again. The only other person he's ever felt such a strong desire to protect is Charlotte and he's aware of what that means, of how deeply it indicates he cares for Spencer and maybe it should scare him, but it doesn't.

But for now he's able to let it go enough that he won't dwell on it. Not while he's with Spencer. He won't let someone like that awful man ruin any of the time they spend together.

"I guess you won't be going back to work any time soon," he says with a soft huff of laughter, peering toward the front of the building. The crowd is gone, but the trucks are still lingering and he wonders just how much damage has been done to the break room. He doesn't want there to be any damage to the library, not when Spencer loves it as much as he does, but he likes the idea of the two of them being able to spend the rest of the afternoon together. "I was coming for lunch anyway, so do you think you can slip away with me? I'll make it worth your while."

The second it leaves his lips, he realizes how it sounds and while he'd really only meant food, he can't help but grin, feeling his cheeks heat a little. Regardless of what he'd meant, he'll let that stand and allow Spencer to interpret it anyway he likes. "Though maybe you should check with your boss before I drag you off."