by Jenna Brandt
The crowd clapped as Spencer took to the stage. He waved to the children as he picked up the book and sat in the empty seat.
Despite her own resistance, Molly had to admit, Spencer still looked as handsome as ever. The past ten years had treated him well, and not only had his good looks not diminished, they seemed to be even more potent than before.
He started to read The Giving Tree, making sure to change his voice for each of the characters, and also pausing when appropriate for dramatic affect.
As he read to the kids, capturing their attention with his flawless acting skills, Molly wondered how much of what he was doing was a façade. He wouldn’t be the first public official that was working an angle. He could very well have political ambitions. If that was the case, he could be using his time as a public defender to garner the townspeople’s goodwill.
Her mind recalled the details her boss gave her accusing Spencer Wilmington of making secret deals with the district attorney. Her boss was so certain there was enough validity to the rumor, he sent her to Crystal Cove to investigate further.
If Spencer was wanting to jump into a political career, it would explain why he would be willing to trade information for a high-win rate. It would give him the reputation he would want to make a formidable run in the future.
Spencer finished reading the first book. He closed it and placed it on the ground beside him.
“Can you read another one, mister,” one of the little boys asked.
“Mr. Wilmington is a busy man with an important job,” Lucille explained. “It was kind of him to come and read to us, but we should let him get back to work.”
“It’s all right, Mrs. Baldwin, I can read the kids another book. What would you guys like me to read?” Spencer asked the children.
For the next several seconds, the group of kids shouted out popular children’s book titles.
“I think I heard several requests for Dr. Seuss, so if Mrs. Baldwin would be kind enough to get me one,” he said looking at the older woman, “I’ll be happy to read it.”
As she listened to Spencer’s melodic reading voice recite the lines to Green Eggs and Ham, her mind drifted back to when they first formed a romantic connection.
“Are you sure this first paragraph makes sense?” Spencer asked as he pointed to the paper between them. “It’s important that it makes sense since the rest of the essay is based on the argument in it.”
Molly read the paragraph a third time. She looked up into Spencer’s expectant eyes. The intensity she saw in them made her heart flip-flop.
“You did a great job, Spencer. Each of your essays is getting better, which is exactly what we want. You’re smart; you just have to apply yourself.”
“Thanks,” he said with a grin. “No one’s ever cared about whether I was smart or not. My dad put my brother and me into sports ever since we could walk. Once they saw I had a natural ability for it, they never cared about anything else.”
“That’s a shame,” Molly stated with a disappointed look. “You’ve got a great brain. Your dad should be encouraging you to use it, rather than letting you get it smashed in during football every season.”
Spencer let out a chuckle. “I like how you put that, because when my right guard doesn’t do his job, that’s exactly how it feels when I get tackled—like my brain is being scrambled.”
“That’s awful. You really should think about doing something else with your life.”
“Everyone expects me to get a football scholarship at a minimum, but my dad is hoping I will get drafted into the National Football League.”
“What do you want?” Molly inquired.
He tilted his head to the side as his face scrunched up the way it often did when he was thinking. “I don’t know. No one has ever asked me that before.”
“Well, they should have. It’s your life. You should be happy with the choices you make in it, not just settle for whatever everyone else tells you to want.”
“Thank you,” Spencer said as he reached out and placed his hand on top of hers, which was resting on the table. “No one has ever cared enough to talk to me this way.”
Molly’s face flamed pink from the praise while her body felt a jolt of electricity from where his hand touched hers. She had no idea it would feel so good to have Spencer touch her.
Her eyes flickered up to meet his as she whispered, “You’re welcome.”
“Do you want to go for a drive after this?” he asked, as he leaned closer across the table.
Molly licked her lips as she contemplated her answer. Part of her wanted to go with him, but the other part was afraid of where they might end up, and what they would do once they got there. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to let Spencer Wilmington in.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I have to get up early for choir practice tomorrow.”
“That sounds like an excuse.” He reached out and rubbed his thumb along the edge of her cheek. “But not a very good one. I can get you back before your curfew.”
She wasn’t sure what came over her, but as she looked deep into his mesmerizing blue eyes, she heard herself saying, “Sure, I guess it couldn’t hurt to go for a little while.”
As they gathered their belongings up and headed towards Spencer’s Chevy Camaro, she could feel the anticipation building inside her. Once they were alone, would he try to kiss her? If he did, would she let him? And if they did kiss, would it be everything she secretly imagined since the first time she sat across from him in the library?
Was tonight the night she was finally going to let herself admit she wanted to be with Spencer Wilmington?
Loud clapping forced Molly to return to the present. Spencer was closing up the second book as he said, “Thanks for having me. I really enjoyed this. I can’t wait to come back and do it again sometime soon.”
He flashed his smile to the crowd as he stood up to leave. She could tell from the reaction of the women present, it still had the same affect it did ten years ago.
Molly was going to have to watch herself around him. If she had listened to her instincts back when she was young instead of giving into his charming smile and perfect dimples, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.
Just as Spencer was about to exit the reading area of the library, he stopped moving and froze in place. His pulse quickened as he locked eyes with Molly Price.
How long had she been there? He had been so focused on making sure the children had an enjoyable time, he hadn’t focused on any of the adults present.
Spencer walked towards her, hoping she wouldn’t disappear like a mirage. He had imagined this moment for years, praying he would get the opportunity to tell her how sorry he was for what happened between them a decade ago.
“Hi there, Molly,” he said as he came to a halt in front of her. Looking around, he asked with curiosity, “What are you doing here?”
“I had to do some research for a story I’m working on.”
He mustered his most charming smile. “Well, it’s good to see you.”
She stood up and crossed her arms. “Is it? I’m not sure I would say the same.”
“You have every right to feel that way,” Spencer conceded. “I’m sure I would if the roles were reversed.”
“But they aren’t. They never were, and you knew it. You used my naiveté to your advantage, but let me warn you, I’m not that same silly girl who was blinded by your good looks and charms. I know who you are—who you really are—Spencer Wilmington.”
He nodded his head. “I can understand why you would think that, but honestly, Molly, I really did care for you. I was just too stupid and scared back then to put you first.”
“You were never stupid, Spencer, and I doubt you were ever scared.” She gestured towards his suit and tie, “And if what you are saying is true, I can see you managed to overcome both of your ‘shortcomings’.”
“That’s in large part due to you. If you hadn’t helped me get
my grades up, I never would have gotten into college. I owe you so much.”
“Well, I’m glad it worked out for you,” she said, starting to turn away from him. Then she stopped and swiveled back around. “Actually, that’s not true. I’m not glad. What you did to me, what you let happen to me, was despicable. I deserved better, and it should have been you that was publically shamed for how you behaved. Instead, I ended up having to leave town disgraced while you got to stay the golden boy.”
“You’re right. What happened to you was horrible; I was horrible. I couldn’t see past my own selfishness to keep you from getting hurt.” He fought the urge to reach out and touch her as he added, “I’m truly sorry for everything I did back then.”
Molly pressed her lips together as she looked at him. “I appreciate your apology, but it doesn’t change what happened.”
“It doesn’t. I can’t erase or undo the damage I caused, but I want you to know, I’m a different person now. I’ve changed, and a huge part of that was reconciling the poor choices I made back in high school.”
“Well, you’re not the only one who has changed. I’m not the same fragile girl you broke back in high school. I’ve healed, moved on, and managed to make something of myself.”
“I’m grateful for that,” Spencer stated with earnestness. “You deserve every happiness, Molly.”
Molly picked up her purse and placed the strap over her shoulder. “I have to be getting back to my parents’ house. They’re expecting me for dinner.”
“Before you go, I was hoping you might want to go get a cup of coffee to catch up; my treat,” Spencer offered.
She tilted her head to the side as she narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why? It would just be two old friends catching up.”
“Don’t kid yourself, Spencer. We were never just friends.”
He shrugged, “Then we should try to be now. I want the chance to get to know you again, and maybe you’ll see for yourself how I’ve changed.”
Molly let out a heavy sigh before answering. “Look, I have a boyfriend. I probably should have brought that up a lot sooner. How about this; why don’t we go on a double date.”
Spencer didn’t love the idea of having an audience while he tried to prove Molly could trust him again. Even though he didn’t like her offer, he could tell it was the best he was going to get. It would be better than nothing.
“When were you thinking?”
“How about tomorrow night at Sunset Grill? I’m sure you’ll have no problem scrounging up someone to bring along,” she stated sarcastically.
“It’s a date then.”
“Correction,” Molly said as she raised her hand, “it’s a double date. Also, we should probably lay some ground rules. First, don’t be late. As I recall, punctuality was never your strong suit. Second, there will be no discussion of what happened between us in the past. Last, you’re paying.”
Spencer nodded his head, accepting her conditions. He didn’t care what it took to get Molly back in his life, but he was willing to do it. Up until he saw her again, he hadn’t realized how much he missed her. Once he did, he knew he couldn’t let her walk out of his life again without making an effort to fix what he had destroyed.
“We should probably exchange numbers just in case,” Spencer suggested.
Molly quirked an eyebrow at him, then shrugged. “I guess that can’t hurt anything,” she relented, before reciting her number to him so he could enter it into his phone. He then texted his number to her.
As he watched her walk out of the library, Spencer’s mind drifted back to the moment he knew he was falling for Molly.
The music was blaring as Spencer drove on the outskirts of Crystal Cove. He had no destination in mind, but was simply enjoying sitting next to Molly while they meandered through the back-country roads.
Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ came on the radio and Molly clasped her hands together in excitement. “This is one of my favorite songs. I love her whole album so much.”
“Really? I haven’t ever listened to any of her other songs.”
“Oh, she’s really talented. You totally should. I can let you borrow my copy of her CD if you’d like.”
“Thanks, I might take you up on that.”
Hesitantly, he reached out across the space between them and took her hand. He wanted to feel her skin again. Ever since he did in the library, he was itching for another opportunity.
When she didn’t pull away, Spencer relaxed and let the combination of the music and hum of the motor lull him into a comfortable driving pattern. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, a half-hour had passed. Spencer wanted to stretch his legs. He had the perfect place in mind.
He headed north and then turned down a dirt road.
“Where are you taking us?”
“You’ll see. It’s one of my favorite places. My older brother, Bill, used to take me here all the time before he headed off for college.”
“Do you miss him?” Molly inquired.
Spencer nodded. “We’ve been close all our lives. We try to keep in contact through email and phone calls, but he’s pretty busy since it’s his first year.”
“I know how that is. Both of my older brothers have left for college already. With just me at home, my parents tend to watch me like a hawk. Lucky for them, I don’t have much of a life.”
“Hey, don’t slam yourself like that,” Spencer encouraged. “We’re spending time together now, and you told me yourself that you’re active at your church. Plus, don’t you do academic competitions or something?”
“I do, but I wouldn’t exactly say it’s something to keep my parents up at night. Mind you, that’s not what I want to do, I’m just saying they’re relieved to have me finish out their run of parenting. My brothers were a handful, so I make it easy on them.”
Spencer pulled into the parking lot of the cliffs overlooking the ocean and lighthouse. The top of the waves was shimmering underneath the moonlight as he parked the car.
“This place is beautiful,” Molly said in awe. “I always forget how much I love the ocean.”
“Well, I’m glad I brought you here then.”
Spencer climbed out of the car. He came around and opened the door for Molly. He reached out and took her hand, pulling her from the car and onto her feet. As she emerged, she stumbled slightly and Spencer caught her, causing her body to press up against his. He looked down into her beautiful green eyes and couldn’t help but notice they looked like the forest in springtime.
Without thinking, his mouth slowly descended to hers. Their lips touched, hesitantly at first, until they both knew the other wanted it to happen. Molly leaned into Spencer as he pulled her closer. She fit perfectly in his arms, and her sweet, strawberry scent tickled his nose as he deepened the kiss.
After a few moments, Molly leaned back and quirked an eyebrow. “You’re really good at that. I’m guessing it’s from a lot of practice.”
Spencer let out a small, awkward laugh as he stepped back and ran his fingers through his hair. He shrugged, not liking the implications behind her statement. “Not as much as you’re probably thinking. I don’t go around just kissing anyone.”
“Still, you have way more experience than me.” She pressed her lips together as she looked down at the ground. “That’s only my second kiss ever.”
“What? Really? I would have never guessed that. You’re so pretty. Plus, you’re smart and nice. I’m honestly pretty surprised you don’t have a boyfriend.”
Molly shook her head. “My parents are way too protective. I can’t even date if they haven’t met the guy and approved.”
Spencer’s heart clenched. That didn’t bode well for him. “I’m guessing I don’t fit their boyfriend criteria.”
“Why, are you applying for the position?” Molly jested.
He reached out and pulled her towards him. “I’m seriously considering it.”
“My par
ents won’t be an easy sell,” Molly warned. “They didn’t even like Brad, and he was the pastor’s son.”
“Was Brad your first?”
Molly’s face scrunched up in confused mortification. “No, I’m still a virgin.”
Spencer suppressed the desire to laugh over her misunderstanding, knowing it would only hurt Molly’s feelings. Instead, he clarified, “That’s not what I meant. I was asking if Brad was your first kiss.”
Her cheeks tinged pink with further embarrassment as she slowly nodded. “Yes, he came over to the house a few times last year. Plus, we went on a couple of church trips together. They told me to end it though when they found us kissing on the sofa one night after youth group.”
“They seem rather difficult. Maybe we should keep this just between us for now,” Spencer suggested.
Molly tilted her head to the side as her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. Then a look of suspicion crossed her face as she accused, “Don’t try to put this on my parents. You want to keep this a secret because of your friends—correction, because of Tiffany.”
Even as Spencer wanted to deny it, part of him knew it was true. He was afraid of how they would react if they found out how he felt about Molly.
“I just don’t want to subject you to that. Tiffany can be awful. If she’s threatened by someone, she’ll turn vicious. I don’t want that directed at you.”
“Are you sure it’s not because you want to date both of us?”
He shook his head. “I ended things with Tiffany once-and-for-all last week. After how she treated you and how demanding she always is, I just couldn’t take it anymore.” He reached out and placed his hand on the side of Molly’s face. “Besides, I’m interested in someone else now.”
“Are you?” Molly probed. “How much?”
“Enough to put myself out there and tell you how much I really like you, which is scary for me since I don’t know if you feel the same.”