The Billionaire's Reunion

by Jenna Brandt

  There were three dots for a couple of seconds before his response showed up.

  Sounds good. See you then.

  Molly left her room and padded down the hallway to the guest room. She knocked on the door, and after a brief moment of silence, she heard Rick say in an irritated voice from the other side, “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Molly,” she replied, trying to keep her voice light. She didn’t want to make things worse from last night.

  After they got back to her parents’ place, Rick immediately went to his room, claiming he had a headache. Molly suspected it had to do more with the fact that he was angry over what happened, and didn’t want to be around her.

  “May I come in?”

  “I guess.”

  She turned the knob and pushed the door open. Rick was standing up and pulling on a t-shirt over his sweats.

  Molly took a deep breath and brought up lunch. “I just got a text from Spencer Wilmington. He invited me to lunch to apologize for what happened at dinner last night.”

  “You’re not going, right?” Rick said as he picked up his reading glasses, and put them on before grabbing a surgical book off his nightstand.

  “Actually, I was thinking I should.”

  “Can’t you just investigate him via his friends and co-workers?” Rick asked. “He’s a bit of a jerk, so I don’t know why you would want to spend any more time with him.”

  “It’s not about wanting to spend time with him,” Molly defended. “I really didn’t get a chance to ask all the questions I needed.”

  “Look, I’m trying to be nice here, but I don’t want you to go. There, I said it.”

  “I understand you don’t like him, and you don’t get along, but this affects my career.”

  Rick set the book back down and crossed his arms. “I don’t see why you’re so worried about your job anyway. It’s not going to matter down the road since I make enough money that you won’t need to work. Besides, once we have kids, you’ll need to stay home anyway.”

  “What are you talking about?” Molly asked in confusion. “My career is important to me, and since when have we decided we’re getting married and having kids?”

  “I just assumed that was what you wanted. I’m getting older and am ready for the next step in my life—starting a family. I thought that was going to be with you.”

  “I’m not saying I don’t want that, but it doesn’t mean I have to give up everything I’ve worked for to have it.”

  “Really? What does it matter in the grand scheme of things? I mean, seriously, you only work for a small online news outlet.”

  His jab at her job stung. She had no idea he thought so little of her career. Add it to the way he discussed marriage, and Molly realized they didn’t see eye-to-eye on some really important parts of life.

  “I don’t have time to argue about this right now,” Molly stated as she turned around to leave. “I have to go get ready.”

  “If you go, I won’t be here when you get back,” Rick threatened.

  Molly stopped with her hand on the knob to the door. She took a deep breath and then turned back around. “Do what you have to do. With how you’ve behaved over the last couple of days, and what you’ve said this morning, I don’t see a future with you anyway. You should go.”

  “Fine with me,” Rick stated as he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t want to compete with a guy from your past, anyway.”

  Without responding, she slipped out the door and headed back to her room. Now that things ended with Rick, she thought she would be sad, but instead, she was relieved.

  As she gathered her clothes up to take to the bathroom, her anger and frustration over what happened came to the surface, reminding her of the time she felt exactly the same a decade ago.

  “Why do we still have to keep us a secret?” Molly asked as she sat next to Spencer on the blanket in the sand.

  Turning to face her, Spencer explained, “I told you, it’s better this way. Your parents won’t approve, and everyone at school won’t understand.”

  “Who cares if they don’t understand? I love you, Spencer, and I want everyone to know it.”

  “I love you too, Molly, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. I like how things are right now.”

  Molly’s lips pinched together, as she tried to figure out how to explain to him that keeping their relationship a secret was taking a toll on her. She didn’t sleep well, she had to always be on guard not to let it slip out when talking with people, and she hated pretending they barely knew each other at school.

  In a strained voice, she asked, “Is it me? Are you ashamed of me?”

  “No, of course not. I just know that right now, we don’t have to worry about anyone else, or what they think. All that matters is you and me.”

  Molly wanted to argue with him, but she could see that it wouldn’t do any good. She had two choices at this point: stay with him and keep it a secret, or break up. She cared too much about Spencer to do the latter, which only left the former as an option.

  Spencer leaned over and pulled her towards him, giving her a kiss under the moonlight. The moment their lips touched, it pushed everything else out of her mind but the fact that she was undeniably in love with Spencer Wilmington.

  Spencer arrived at the Echo Island Inn a little bit early. He wanted to spend a couple of minutes in silent prayer, asking God to help him to handle the situation the right way.

  When Molly entered the restaurant, she looked good in her plum blouse and black slacks. Her hair was pinned half-back, revealing her slender neck and a pair of small, gold hoop earrings.

  She approached the table at the back of the room with a tentative smile on her face.

  “Hello, Molly,” Spencer greeted as she took a seat across from him.

  “Hi, Spencer,” Molly said in return.

  He glanced past her and observed, “I’m surprised Rick didn’t insist on coming along.”

  “It wouldn’t make sense for him to do that, since we ended things earlier this morning.”

  “I’m sorry,” Spencer said out of politeness. The truth was, he was glad to hear they weren’t together. Not just because it meant he had a better chance of convincing Molly to give him a second chance, but because he didn’t think Rick was a good guy. Molly deserved to be treated better, even if it wasn’t by Spencer, though he would do his best to show her it could be him.

  “Are you though?” she asked skeptically as she arched an eyebrow. “Somehow I doubt it.”

  He let out a small chuckle. “You caught me. I am glad he’s out of the picture. Why did you break up?”

  “Rick thought something was going on between us, which is crazy,” Molly protested. “We’ve both moved on.”

  “Maybe you have, but not me,” Spencer said, shaking his head. “I’ve often thought about that day in the school hall. I should have told everyone right then and there, how much you meant to me; that you were the smartest, prettiest, kindest person I have ever known.”

  “I’m sure we both have long lists of regrets when it comes to that time in our life. I should have stood up for myself, not only to Tiffany and her friends, but to you when you made me keep our relationship a secret.”

  “That was wrong of me. I was scared, and I acted out of fear the whole time we were together. It was a mistake not to tell everyone that I was deeply, madly in love with you. I’m truly sorry for everything.”

  Molly smiled at Spencer as she reached out and patted his hand. “Thank you for saying that; however, we can’t dwell on the mistakes we made. Just like I don’t want to give Rick another thought now that we’re finished.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. He seemed horrid from the one time I met him.”

  “I can’t believe I was blind to how he really was. I don’t know what I was thinking being with that guy.” Shaking her head, she added, “I must be attracted to jerks.”

  “Ouch,” Spencer stated, flinching from the statement. “I guess you’re right to
lump me in with him—well, at least when we dated. I hope you’re starting to see though, I’m not like I was back when we were in high school. I’ve changed.”

  Molly tapped her fingers on the edge of her glass as she looked at him. Finally, after several moments, she said, “I’m beginning to believe it’s possible.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  The server arrived at their table with a notepad and pen in her hands. “Are you both ready to order?”

  “I’ll take the turkey on rye, along with a half order of your Harvest Salad,” Spencer stated, handing her his menu.

  “That was quick,” Molly stated. “You didn’t even open the menu.”

  Spencer glanced over at Molly and grinned. “I don’t have to. I get the same thing every time.”

  “Then I guess that’s what I’m getting too. Can’t argue with that recommendation.” She handed the menu over to the server, as she added, “I’d also like a glass of iced tea with lemon, please.”

  “And I’ll stick with water,” Spencer said.

  After the server left them alone, Molly asked, “So, we’ve completely exhausted discussing my dating status. What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “I know you’re not dating Sarah, but is there someone else?”

  Spencer wondered how he should answer her. He decided to be as bluntly honest as he could. “I’ve never been able to sustain a relationship past a few dates.”

  “Why is that? Too busy with work?”

  He shook his head. “No, whenever I started dating someone, you would come to mind. I would measure them against you, and I would decide it wouldn’t work. No one ever compared to you.”

  Molly’s eyes grew round with surprise. “Wow, I can’t believe you just admitted that.”

  “In ten years, I haven’t been able to get over you. I figure, I should make it clear how I feel,” he said as he reached out and took her hand. “I still care about you, Molly. I’ve never stopped. I was just too stupid and scared to do anything about it back when we were young.”

  Instantly, a memory came floating back of when he had reacted out of fear.

  Spencer couldn’t keep himself from showing Molly affection as they stood outside the library next to his Camaro. He knew it was risky, being in such a public place, but she was so cute with her hair braided and her overalls on.

  He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips. The feel of her mouth under his own was wonderful. He couldn’t get enough.

  “I have to go,” Molly stated with reluctance.

  “Do you have to leave?”

  “Believe me, I don’t want to, but my parents are expecting me.”

  “Okay, I guess I’ll just have to wait until tomorrow afternoon when we can get together to ‘study’ again.”

  She let out a laugh. “Lucky for you, my parents haven’t questioned my daily study sessions with a fellow student.”

  He nodded. “For sure. I don’t need your dad coming after me with a shotgun.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him,” she said with a smirk. “So you better let me get going.”

  Spencer walked Molly over to her Toyota Corolla. Once she was seated behind the wheel, he leaned down and kissed her one more time. He backed out of the way and watched her drive off.

  He was fumbling with his car key when he heard Tiffany say behind him, “I saw you with that nerdy girl.”

  Spencer froze for a moment, trying to process what Tiffany said. He spun around and folded his arms across his chest. “What of it? She’s my tutor.”

  “Do you kiss all your tutors goodbye?” she accused.

  Fear seized Spencer’s heart. He shouldn’t have been so careless to kiss Molly out in the open like that. Over the past couple of weeks, he had let his guard down. Now, if he couldn’t fix it, they would both pay the price.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Spencer said defensively.

  “Don’t try to deny it,” Tiffany said as she glared at him. “I know what I saw.”

  “You’re being silly, Tiffany. It was nothing,” Spencer said with a shrug, “you’re overreacting.”

  “If that’s the case, prove it,” she said, placing her hands on her hips.

  “And how do I do that exactly?”

  “Kiss me,” she demanded. “If you do, I’ll know that she means nothing to you, and I won’t have to tell everyone about the two of you.”

  Spencer hated the idea of giving into Tiffany’s blackmail. If he kissed her, it would be a betrayal to Molly and what they shared. If he didn’t do it, however, Tiffany would certainly follow through on her threat.

  He braced himself, leaned down, and placed a quick peck on her lips.

  “What are you doing?”

  Spencer’s heart lurched at the sound of Molly’s voice. He swiveled around to find her getting out of her car. She had a hurt look on her face as she approached them.

  He stepped back from Tiffany like she was fire and he was paper. What was he going to do?

  “What does it look like?” Tiffany asked in a haughty voice. “He was kissing his girlfriend.”

  Molly’s eyes teared up as she accused, “How could you? I trusted you. I believed you wanted to be with me, and this whole time you were with her too?”

  “No, it’s not what it looks like,” Spencer said, rushing towards Molly. “I’m not with Tiffany. I haven’t been in months.”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Whatever this is, it’s over. I can’t be with you anymore, Spencer,” she said, moving away from him and back towards her car.

  “Don’t say that,” he said as he reached out to stop her. “You know how much I care about you.”

  Molly averted her eyes as she whispered, “I thought I did, but apparently, I was wrong.” She glanced up and over at Tiffany, then back at Spencer. “I can’t stay here one more minute.” She got in her car and took off out of the parking lot.

  “Good riddance. Now, you can focus on us again,” Tiffany said as she wrapped her hands around his arm.

  “What are you talking about, Tiffany?” he accused as he pulled away from her. “There is no ‘us.’ We’ve been over and done with for a long time now, but you just can’t seem to stay out of my life.”

  “That’s because you belong to me, Spencer. I’m not giving up on getting you back.”

  “Well, you should. I will never, ever be with you again. I want to be with Molly, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to win her back.”

  Spencer didn’t wait to hear Tiffany’s response. Instead, he jumped in his car and took off.

  “Can I get you anything else?” the server asked, drawing Spencer’s attention back to his lunch date with Molly. He noticed the food was already on the table as the server left them alone again.

  Trying to push the past from his memory, he focused on the future. “I was wondering, would you like to go to the reunion with me tonight? We’ve already established we’re both without dates. I think it could be fun going together.”

  “Since we both don’t have dates, I guess we could go together,” Molly agreed. “What time do you want to pick me up?”

  “It starts at 6:00, so how about 5:30?” Spencer suggested.

  She nodded as she bit into her sandwich. She chewed it and swallowed as a smile crossed her face. “You’re right. This is delicious.”

  Spencer liked seeing Molly smile again. Perhaps, tonight, he could help keep it there. As they finished their meal, the excitement for the upcoming night began to build.

  Chapter 6

  Molly finished powdering her face before taking one last look in the mirror. She inspected the black, knee-length dress for any wrinkles or layers out of place. Next, she moved on to her black heels, and finally, her necklace and earrings.

  Once she was satisfied everything was in order, she headed to the living room to wait for Spencer. Her stomach did a somersault in anticipation of seeing him, and she had to remind herself not to get at
tached. Her real purpose in being in Crystal Cove was not to reconnect with Spencer, or catch up with old friends. Instead, she was really investigating to determine if he was a corrupt public defender. She needed to spend the night talking to people about Spencer to get to the bottom of the truth. Developing romantic feelings for Spencer again would complicate everything. She didn’t want to jeopardize her future for a man who had already hurt her and ruined her life once before.

  She heard a knock at the door, but before she could get to it, her father made it there first. He opened the door, and she heard Spencer say from the other side, “Good evening, Mr. Price. I’m here to pick up Molly for our class reunion.”

  Her father didn’t budge, his bulking frame taking up the doorframe. “Spencer, I want you to know, I’ve watched you over the years. I know you’ve changed; however, that doesn’t change what you did to Molly ten years ago. I’m warning you; there won’t be a repeat. If you do anything to hurt my daughter again, I’ll make sure you regret it.” He stepped back and let Spencer enter the hallway leading to the living room.

  As her eyes finally settled on Spencer, she realized she was in trouble. It was going to take all her efforts to keep from falling for him. He looked so handsome in his black suit with a white shirt and navy tie. His sandy blond hair was styled to one side, and his eyes appeared to be a deep, ocean blue because of the shirt color he’d picked.

  “You ready?” Spencer asked with a grin.

  She nodded as she grabbed her light jacket and purse. He helped her into the former, before they headed out the door.

  A few minutes later, they arrived at the Echo Island Inn. They parked the car and headed into the ballroom where the reunion was being held.

  The room was decorated with tables with white linens, accented with blue napkins and gold center pieces. The lights were dimmed. Popular songs from their youth softly hummed in the background. There was a wall of pictures from their high school days, along with another wall of memorial pictures of the three classmates who had passed away.

  There was a table where everyone checked-in. Though they both had tags on with their names and senior photos in the corner, Molly recognized the two women behind the table. They were Regina Burke and Theresa Vasquez. Both had been on the student council as well as on the cheerleading squad.