by Jenna Brandt
Greg marched up the stairs and said with aversion, “That’s about enough out of you.” He took the microphone from her hands and placed it back on the podium. “I’ll take you outside and get you an Uber ride. You’re in no condition to drive home.”
As they left the stage, Spencer turned to Molly and said, “I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have to be subjected to all of this again, but I’m going to fix this right now, once-and-for-all.”
Spencer took Tiffany’s place at the center of the stage, then picked up the microphone. “None of what Tiffany said was true. Molly Price didn’t do anything wrong back when all of us were in high school. I was too scared to stand up for her back then, but I’m not weak like I once was. Molly was, and is, the most kind, generous, and thoughtful person I have ever known. I didn’t deserve for her to care about me, but she did, and I turned my back on her to save my own reputation. We never did anything more than kiss, so all those rumors you’ve been spreading for the past decade, they’re false. Those of you who participated in making the situation worse, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I know I am. She left because she was bullied so bad, she couldn’t stay here anymore. Molly is a good person, and didn’t deserve what we did to her. I, for one, will be forever sorry for my part in what happened, and anyone who was involved should be too.”
There were a few random claps around the room, which made the rest of the silence even more awkward. Spencer put the microphone down, and made his way back to Molly’s side. He leaned towards her and whispered, “I should have done that a long time ago.”
“Thank you,” she whispered back, “for coming to my defense and telling everyone the truth.”
Spencer reached out and took her hand. “I can’t fix what I did in the past, but I can promise you, going forward, I will always have your back.”
Over the next half hour, several of their classmates came over and apologized to Molly for believing the rumors. Two even apologized for not standing up to the mean girls who had bullied her.
With each one, Spencer watched as Molly relaxed more and her smile became more prominent on her face. The urge to kiss her surfaced, but before he could act on it, Molly blurted out, “Oh my goodness. This is my favorite song. We have to go dance.”
Molly pulled him to his feet and then onto the dance floor. They spent the rest of the night dancing, laughing, and having fun with old friends.
Chapter 7
The alarm sounded again, and this time, Molly didn’t hit the snooze button. Though she had been out late with Spencer the night before, she wanted to get up and head to his church.
She hadn’t gotten anyone to talk about Spencer’s job, partially because most of his friends repeated the same mantra: “Spencer’s a great public defender. He cares about his clients and works hard to help them.” The other part was that she hadn’t spent as much time as she should have digging into his career.
The voicemail from her boss demanding an update jolted Molly back to reality. She couldn’t neglect her duties as a reporter just because she cared for the subject of her assignment. As a matter of fact, she needed to keep a clear head and not allow a bias to form.
Church was the next step, or rather, watching Spencer at church. She could also ask his friends from church a few questions, which would hopefully help guide her future choices for the investigation.
Molly arrived at Crystal Cove Fellowship, one of only three churches in the whole town. It was also the church Molly had gone to until she moved away her senior year, and the church her parents still attended. They had been surprised when she told them she would meet them there for the second service if they were willing to let her borrow one of the cars. She had conveniently left out the fact that it was simply to find out more about Spencer for her investigation.
As she stepped through the doors, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She hadn’t gotten a chance to say goodbye to anyone before she left, her parents insisting it would be easier that way. What would they think now that she had returned?
Molly didn’t recognize the first several people she encountered, though she wasn’t surprised. It had been ten years since the last time she had been there.
As she approached the doors to the sanctuary, she heard Sarah say, “Hey there, Molly.”
She turned to find her friend approaching. Sarah greeted her with a warm smile. “I’m glad you came today.”
“Thanks. It seems like this place hasn’t changed much,” Molly observed, glancing around the church, noting the only differences were a few modern pictures and new paint job.
“Not on the surface, but Pastor Joseph retired four years ago. A new pastor took over, Pastor Matt. He has really brought in a younger crowd, adding life into the church. I think you’ll enjoy his sermon today.”
Molly was surprised to hear there was a new pastor. Part of her hoped Sarah was right and she would enjoy the service. Nothing was worse than sitting through a scare-tactic lecture about hellfire and sin.
“I need to head in and find my parents,” Molly explained. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Sarah nodded as Molly pushed through the doors and headed into the sanctuary. On the other side, she not only found her parents, but Spencer as well. They were standing together talking as she approached them.
“Your dad was just telling me that you were coming today,” Spencer said with excitement. “I was glad to hear it.”
“I figured since I was in town, I could come check it out.”
“To be honest, we were surprised when you told us you were coming,” Beverly stated as she took a seat. “I know you stopped going to church after you moved. Every time I brought up you finding a church in Miami, you shut me down.”
Molly shrugged. “That’s because I was angry.” She glanced at Spencer and then added, “Lately, that’s changed. I’ve come to realize things aren’t always what they seem.”
“I have to go out and help get everything ready for the offering, but I’ll be back to sit with you afterward,” Spencer said, as he patted her arm before taking off.
“Does he serve every week?” Molly asked with curiosity.
Her parents nodded. “Like clockwork,” her father confirmed.
The musicians took to the stage and the lights dimmed in the room. Everyone turned to face the stage as the worship music started. After the first song, the ushers came forward and they passed the offering baskets down the rows.
Molly watched Spencer, noting he was friendly to everyone. He genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself. It didn’t seem to be a façade.
By the end of the third song, Spencer had returned and took the empty seat next to Molly. Two songs followed that before the worship time ended. A man with brown-hair and a beard—Molly assumed it was Pastor Matt—took to the stage.
He smiled at the crowd as he took his position behind the wooden pulpit. He placed his Bible on it as he picked up the microphone.
“I want to thank all of you for joining us today. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been talking with you about letting go of the past. I know, it’s not as easy as it sounds, but the truth is, we don’t have to hold onto our past hurts. God wants us to give our pain to Him so that He can free us from it. He doesn’t want us to hold on to what we have lost, or what has hurt us. God doesn’t expect us to get it right the first time. His grace allows us infinite do-overs. In that same way, we have to forgive one another and realize, sometimes, God gives us a second chance because we’re not ready the first time.”
Molly was caught off guard by the sermon. She had no idea his message was about second chances. Did Spencer plan this? A quick glance in his direction confirmed from his expression, he was just as surprised by the message as she was.
Had she been so focused on proving Spencer wasn’t a good person, she’d overlooked the fact that he really had changed? If that was the case, if she wasn’t careful, she could lose out on trying to make it work with the only man she ever loved.
After the servi
ce ended, Spencer and Molly went back into the lobby of the church. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She looked gorgeous in her teal blouse and black jeans.
“I can’t believe what Pastor Matt ended up talking about today,” Spencer stated. “I had no idea it would be about second chances.”
“Me either, but it reminds me of when I was young. I used to come to church, but after what happened with us back in high school, I quit. I was just so angry, and I didn’t know where to put that anger, so I blamed God rather than ask Him to help me deal with it. I realize now, I handled it all wrong.”
“It’s not your fault. If I hadn’t done what I did, or if I had done what I should have, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”
“That’s true, but life doesn’t always go the way you planned. Getting hurt is part of life, but how you choose to deal with it is what matters.”
“You know, it’s never too late to return to God. He’s ready whenever you are,” Spencer said with a smile.
“I know, and for the first time, I feel like I might be ready,” Molly admitted.
Sarah and Greg came up to them, both grinning as Sarah asked, “You want to go out to lunch with us?”
Molly turned to Spencer, “What do you think?”
“I’m game if you are.”
“We’re in,” Molly stated. “Where are we going?”
“How about Sunset Grill?” Sarah suggested.
“Not like there’s a lot of other options,” Greg said with a snicker.
“Great,” Spencer agreed. “How about we meet you there in a half hour? I need to finish up a few things around here before we head out.”
“And I need to let my parents know where I’m going,” Molly added.
The siblings took off, leaving Molly and Spencer to go take care of what they needed to. After about fifteen minutes, they both returned to the lobby.
“I can give you a ride if you want,” Spencer offered.
“Sure,” Molly said as he opened the door for her. They headed out of the church. “Let me just go run my mom’s keys to her.”
Once in the parking lot, Spencer pointed to a blue Lamborghini. “That’s my ride there.”
She let out a laugh as he helped her climb into the passenger side. “You’ve always had a thing for fast cars.”
“Yes, I know. It was my one big splurge when I made my first million off my social app,” he said, shutting the door behind her. “Believe it or not, this is my second one.”
Spencer climbed in on the other side, started the engine, and put the car in drive.
“Feels like old times,” she mused.
“What can I say, I might have grown up, but I still love fast cars. It’s about the only part of me that’s stayed the same though.”
Molly looked over at him and said, “I can see that. It’s becoming more apparent every time I’m with you that you’re not the guy I remember from high school.”
“I’m glad you see that now. I didn’t like who I was back then, and I didn’t get better in college. In some ways, I got worse once I hit it big with my social app. I had all this money at my fingertips, and I found myself throwing it around to make a splash. It took me losing my brother to realize I was headed down a bad path.”
“At least you figured it out. Some people never do,” Molly pointed out. “Plus, you’re doing good things with the money now, rather than just blowing it all.”
He put on the local pop-rock station, and they both sang along to the songs that came on the radio. A few minutes later, they arrived at the grill.
The siblings were inside waiting for them, sitting at a table towards the back of the eatery. They waved, calling Molly and Spencer over.
“We know you both like iced tea, so we ordered you each one,” Sarah said, gesturing to their glasses, “but we waited to order food until you got here.”
“Thanks,” Molly said, taking a seat across from Sarah, who was sitting next to Greg.
Spencer sat next to Molly, then took a sip of his tea before picking up his menu.
The meal passed by pleasantly as they talked about the reunion, church, and their jobs.
“My boss keeps holding out hope I was kidding about going on my volunteer trip. He’s really worried he won’t be able to find someone to replace me.”
“Where do you work?” Molly asked, with curiosity.
“Oh, I can’t believe I never told you that,” Sarah said with surprise. “I work for the high school. I got my teaching degree a few years back.”
“What subject?”
“She’s one of the English teachers, and she also teaches journalism and runs the newspaper,” Greg answered with pride.
“Really? That’s impressive,” Molly stated. “I’ve always admired people who want to teach. I even thought about it for a time myself, but ended up writing online instead.”
“I was wondering if you need any more help with the auction for the Boys and Girls Club dinner?” Greg asked Spencer.
“Sure, I can always use an extra set of hands,” Spencer said with gratitude. “You want to meet me at the Mariner’s Club tomorrow at 5? The rest of the volunteers will arrive at that time.”
“I’ll be there,” Greg agreed with a grin. “Anything to help the kids out.”
“And I’ll be there for the dinner and auction,” Sarah pipped in. “I would come help out, but it’s the end of the quarter and I have way too much on my plate as it is.”
“Don’t worry about it, Sarah,” Spencer excused her. “I know you would come early if you could. I’m just glad you will be there for the rest of the evening.”
They finished their meals and said their goodbyes before everyone exited the grill. As Spencer drove Molly home, he debated about how to broach inviting her as his date to the dinner.
Deciding just to go for it, Spencer popped the question. “I was wondering if you would go as my date to the dinner we were talking about earlier. It’s a great cause for the kids, and I think you would enjoy it.”
Molly seemed to think about it for a moment before she answered. “I think I can make it. What time should I get there?”
“The event starts at 6:30. I’d pick you up, but I have to be there early to set up the silent auction.”
“That’s okay. I totally understand. It’s great that you volunteer to help kids. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.”
Spencer turned off the engine to his car, and started to get out to walk her to the door. Before he managed to, Molly raised her hand to stop him. “Don’t worry about escorting me to my door. I got this.”
“All right,” Spencer said with disappointment.
He had hoped he would get a chance to kiss Molly, but this was the second time he was blocked from kissing her. Perhaps, it just wasn’t the right time.
Spencer watched as Molly sashayed up the sidewalk and steps to her parents’ house. He didn’t get to kiss her yet, but it didn’t mean it couldn’t happen tomorrow. Spencer had learned to be a patient man.
Chapter 8
Molly dabbed on the last of her perfume, then pulled her hair forward around her neck to frame her face.
She turned sideways, glancing at the burgundy dress in the mirror. It wasn’t exactly her style with the flower pattern and tiny rhinestones along the neckline, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. She was just grateful her mother had a dress that fit her.
She slipped on her black heels and grabbed her matching clutch. Her phone buzzed on the vanity. With a glance at the screen, she knew she had to take the call.
“Hello, Bernie, I got your voicemail, but I didn’t have a chance to call you back.”
“Obviously,” her boss said on the other end, “or I’m sure you would have called me back immediately.”
Molly could tell from his tone that he was perturbed. It wasn’t like her to stay dark while working an investigation, so he must have figured something was up. It explained the phone call and the attitude.
“What can I do for you
, Bernie?” Molly asked, trying to keep her own tone casual.
“You can finish up this story and get yourself back here to Miami,” Bernie demanded. “I have another story brewing, and I want you on it.”
“I’m moving as fast as I can. It’s a delicate situation, and I don’t want to mess it up.”
There was a heavy sigh on the other end before her boss said, “You know, when I first decided to assign this story to you, I thought your connection to the town and the fact you went to high school with Wilmington would prove useful. Now, I’m beginning to think sending you there was a mistake.”
“It’s not,” Molly stated defensively. “I’ll get the story, and it’ll be the best one I’ve ever written for you.”
“You better, and I want it in three days. If you end up botching this one, I won’t hesitate to can you. Reporters are a dime a dozen. There’s tons of bloggers and writers wanting to make a name for themselves,” he warned.
“I understand,” Molly said, forcing herself to keep the apprehension out of her voice.
The silence on the other end let Molly know her boss ended the call without saying goodbye. He wasn’t much for pleasantries. A holdout from the old days of printed news, Bernie Watts was tough but fair.
He had won his fair share of awards. It was the very reason Molly had taken the job as one of his field reporters. She had wanted to learn from the best. Unfortunately, he had a reputation of running through reporters like scissors through paper.
Molly was going to do whatever was necessary to get the story on Wilmington. She didn’t want to be Bernie’s next causality.
Her phone buzzed again and she got ready to argue with Bernie. When she looked at the screen, Molly realized it was Spencer calling instead of her boss. She waffled on whether to answer, and decided there was no upside to spending more time with him. She hit the ignore button. For good measure, she quickly texted him that something came up and she wasn’t going to be able to accompany him to the dinner.