by Lacey Legend
This conversation has made me realize that I am ready to settle down and I’m not a bad guy. I do have potential as a boyfriend, maybe even as a husband. Thank you for giving me that. If we hadn’t talked I’d have taken the blame for everything and maybe never tried finding love again. Now I’m free to and it’s an exciting prospect.”
“If I’ve given you all that, surely you can permit me to ask one question,” insisted Jenna, taking the hamper from Spencer’s hand.
“Go ahead.”
“If I’d been honest with you, from the very beginning, from the second I found out Leon was released from jail, would it have changed anything?”
“It would’ve changed everything.”
Jenna shut her eyes so she didn’t have to memorize the picture of Spencer Lawson walking away from her.
The Final Chapter
Spencer didn’t feel good about the way he’d left things with Jenna. It would be a lot easier if he could attribute his impulsive cold behavior at the end down to rage and anger, but that wasn’t the case. He was hurt and he was envious. Hurt that Jenna hadn’t trusted him. Envious that he’d finished things that left Leon in a position to win Jenna back. Leon would be waiting for her, sympathetic, understanding why her head had been turned by a billionaire and ultimately he’d be Jenna’s final choice.
Leon would be Jenna’s choice because Spencer hadn’t been prepared to give Jenna any other options. He hadn’t had the courage to accept that people are flawed and make mistakes. He felt she’d made a fool of him and he couldn’t let it happen a second time. In truth, there probably would never have been a second time. She’d have learned from that relationship mistake.
He’d been so self-righteous about Jenna’s actions, he hadn’t stopped to think that she may have had good reason to make particular choices regarding discussing Leon with him. After all, hadn’t Spencer been the one to have a private investigator explore Jenna’s past? Hadn’t he been overly vocal about his disapproval of her connection with Leon? Hadn’t he hidden her from the public eye and refused to be seen with her publicly to protect her from the paparazzi? Was that his decision to make or was it something he should’ve discussed with her?
She may not have become obsessed with a weekend in New York if he’d trusted her enough to explain that he had concerns that the attention he attracted in the tabloids regarding his social life might put her off wanting to date him. Jenna had omitted to tell him about Leon because she felt it made her a less attractive dating prospect. With time to reflect, Spencer could completely understand her reasoning, even if he didn’t fully agree with it.
He was therefore happy to find a couple of weeks after their picnic, he had an appointment scheduled in his diary by his personal assistant for a fifteen minute meeting with a Ms. Jenna King. There was no further information on what the meeting entailed, but Spencer was pleased Jenna had been able to convince his PA to allocate her a little spot in his busy diary.
To the outside world, Spencer remained calm and unmoved by the sudden disappearance of Jenna from his life. He acted as though she was no different to any of the other women that passed through his social diary. She was only the lucky one that lasted somewhat longer than the others.
Almost unwilling to admit it to himself, Spencer was hoping that Jenna’s wish to see him was to discuss how they’d left things after the picnic and whether there was room for negotiation so that they may pursue their relationship again. Another part of him was dreading seeing her in case she was there to gloat about reconnecting with Leon and reveling in an engagement to the ex-con or some such thing. He couldn’t imagine Jenna being that petty or small minded, but hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Spencer’s icy behavior toward her when she opened her heart to him in Washington Square did not make him come across as a particularly nice person. She was well within her rights to hold a grudge.
He was pacing the office in the half hour leading up to her arrival. When his personal assistant announced Jenna King had arrived, he took a deep breath and advised his PA to send her in. Jenna was dressed formally in a business suit. Spencer was unsure how to greet her. He’d never seen her in business attire. It was a simple navy skirt suit with matching blazer and respectable stockings and heels. She appeared older than her years and very confident and composed.
“Mr. Lawson,” she said offering a hand, “or would you be more comfortable with me calling you Spencer.”
There was nothing unfriendly in her tone, but Spencer had an urge to remind her that he’d made love to her and held her while she slept. He pushed the sentimental feelings aside.
“Given our history, Spencer is fine,” he replied. “Am I to call you Ms. King or is the informal Jenna acceptable.”
“Jenna’s fine,” she smiled.
The smile lit up her face and Spencer suddenly realized what a complete pig-headed fool he’d been with Jenna. She was twenty-one and juggling the responsibilities of someone much older than her years – of course she was going to drop the ball on occasion. How could he have been so unforgiving?
“Take a seat.”
Jenna sat demurely in the antique wooden chair. It looked impressive, but was distinctly uncomfortable. Spencer observed her wringing her hands. She was as nervous as he was.
“What can I do for you?”
“It’s to do with helping me out of a bind. One you predicted as it happens. My tendency is to see the best in people.”
“That’s not a bad quality, Jenna,” interjected Spencer.
“Perhaps not, but it’s not necessarily how the world works. If I run around permanently with rose-colored glasses on, I probably won’t advance too far. Trusting someone’s best qualities meant that I refused to acknowledge their not so good qualities. That lack of objectivity has ultimately left me in a very difficult situation.”
Spencer clasped his hands together and stared intently at Jenna waiting for her to continue.
“You warned me as soon as you discovered Leon’s background that his paying my university tuition may come at a price. You said however good his intentions were at the time, he’d have something to dangle over my head if he needed to.”
“Are you in trouble with the police?” asked Spencer sternly.
“No, of course not. However, he’s refusing to make the final two payments of my university course. The final payment for this term is due this Friday. If I can’t get the money together I’ll have to pull out until I’m in a position whereby I can afford the fees.”
“Why is Leon withholding the money?”
“Because I’m refusing to go on a date with him.”
“So if you go on a date with him he’ll pay the final fees for the course?”
“That’s correct.”
“But you won’t play ball?”
“No. I’m not going to prostitute myself out for anyone. The incentive to join you at the charity gala dinner wasn’t the $1000 check, it was the fact that you wanted my company. I was your first choice when your original date pulled out.
No matter how important the university fees are, I can’t compromise my own morals and date someone who I know isn’t right for me. Why would I want to even give my relationship with Leon a second chance when he’s stooped to such low tactics? I won’t lie, he has turned his life around, but there are certain characteristics to him that I don’t like. It would never work out,” explained Jenna.
“And you remembered I said I’d be your patron and cover the cost of your fees because I think the skills you’re obtaining from this social work degree are worth endorsing,” said Spencer smoothly.
“I did remember that, but I’m here for a helping hand not a handout. Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to create a Jenna King College charity, you’ve enough on your plate with your other philanthropic works.”
Spencer maintained a straight face, determined not to give any emotion away.
“As I rightly highlighted, if I did accept your patronage I’d be putting myself into a position w
here I’d end up owing you a favor to be called upon at any time.”
“Except I’m not Leon and I wouldn’t do that to you,” he said quietly.
“I know. That’s why I decided to bring my proposition to you.”
“What proposition is that?”
“Spencer, it’s a huge thing to ask and if I thought for a second it would put any financial strain on you, I wouldn’t have made this appointment. You did, however, offer once and I need to take you up on it. I was wondering if you could loan me the money to cover my fees. It’d be such a waste to pull out of the course when I’ve nearly completed it. There’s no guarantee I’d get a loan from a financial institution and the repayments would mean me taking on extra work that would inevitably eat into my study time.
If I borrowed the money from you, I could pay it back once I’ve finished the course. I already have a placement for the summer that should lead to a full time job enabling me to make the payments, with interest included, pretty quickly after I’ve graduated.”
“You could just let me pay the fees. I could have a legal document drawn up saying that you are under no legal obligation to repay them to put your conscience at rest.”
“That’s very generous of you Spencer, but I can’t accept that. Is there any way you’ll consider my proposition?” reiterated Jenna.
“Yes, of course,” said Spencer vehemently. “There was never any question of that. Consider it done. I want you to finish the course and I’m really pleased you came to me and asked for help. It can’t have been easy, given how we left things. Your qualifications are paramount. I only wanted you to reconsider the terms.”
“That’s kind, but doing it this way we’re equals.”
“We are,” affirmed Spencer, “but it’s an interest-free loan – that is my one condition.”
“Fine,” agreed Jenna with a mock sigh. “I guess my time is up.”
Spencer had an urge to invite Jenna out for lunch, but he knew she wouldn’t accept. She’d grown up. With time and perspective she’d have been able to see how immaturely he’d behaved and that didn’t make him anymore an attractive dating prospect to Jenna, than Leon was.
They shook hands.
Spencer watched her leave. He felt a slight turn of nausea knowing instinctually there would only ever be one Jenna King in his life.
*
Four weeks had passed since Jenna’s visit and the only contact Spencer had with her was authorizing a wire transfer to her bank account with the relevant monies she needed to pay the university fees. She’d sent him a thank you card and left him the details of her summer placement and assured him she’d keep in touch regarding her employment status. It was all polite and perfect. Spencer always knew they’d come from different worlds but never had the differences in their lives been so confronting.
He’d become accustomed to spending nights in at his flat and his social life was almost non-existent, but despite his general heartache it transpired that the world continued to turn. Spencer was due to attend an event. It wasn’t his own charity, but it was an event run by the publicist he employed for his own charity works, thus he felt obliged to go. There was no need for a date or even a requirement to be there for a particularly long period, but manners dictated he make an appearance. After all, she was responsible for gathering guests to his functions so it was only right he return the favor.
There was a time Spencer saw Saturday nights as the pinnacle of the week, but there was little enthusiasm he could muster for facing the women that would flock to him and the paparazzi waiting to see who he’d escort home.
He dressed in his usual snappy attire of a three-piece suit. As soon as he entered the large club, he was greeted by his publicist with a kiss on the cheek and found himself being ushered toward many single and suitable women for him to take his pick of. Spencer couldn’t deny the women were gorgeous and glamorous, but his loins seemed unexcited when he engaged with them in light conversation. They seemed to spend their time gushing over him or sticking to shallow surface talk.
For the first time ever, Spencer decided to skulk away into the shadows. He stood on the outskirts of the room observing how everyone behaved and interacted. It might be for a good cause, but as he saw men and women eyeing one another up, he thought the whole scene irreverent. He’d graduated from that phase of his life. He no longer wanted his personal life to be something splashed on the pages of a tabloid. Shaking his head, he checked his watch to see how long he’d have to wait before he could leave without too guilty a conscience. As he looked up, his eyes made contact with those of a waitress standing with a tray of canapés standing directly opposite him on the other side of the room.
It was Jenna.
Curiosity piqued, Spencer was unable to help himself and made his way over to her with quick strides. A sense of relief washed over him when he saw Jenna wait his approach, rather than choose to scuttle away under the guise of work.
“What are you doing here?”
“Spencer, I’m dressed as a waitress serving balsamic glazed pecans with rosemary and sea salt, I would have thought the answer to that question was very obvious?”
“Let me rephrase that. How come you aren’t working for Supreme Cleaning Services?”
“I am. I’ve taken on part time work for the weekends that’s all,” she said stiffly, maintaining a smile on her face. “Sorry about the stilted answers,” she apologized, ”I am on duty. Can’t afford to be seen slacking.”
“Why do you need to take on extra work? I thought the whole purpose of paying your university fees via a loan was so that you wouldn’t have to take on extra jobs and could focus on your studies.”
“It was. My situation has changed somewhat. I need to save a little extra money.”
“Anything in particular?”
“Yes, but now isn’t the time or place to discuss it.”
“Then when?” asked Spencer boldly.
“What makes you think you have a right as to involve yourself in my plans?”
“I don’t suppose I do, really. It’s just that,” Spencer paused and deliberately looked away from Jenna, “I still care about you.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
Spencer turned and smiled at her. He could see her smile was genuine. Her expression read as a mixture of relief and hope.
“When do you get a break?” pressed Spencer.
“Not for at least another hour.”
“Can I accompany you?”
“Spencer, it’ll be for fifteen minutes out by the fire escape. It’s pretty chilly tonight.”
“I don’t mind.”
“You’re bored out of your brain. I’ve been watching you and you aren’t even attempting to strike up a conversation with anyone.”
“So you had your eye on me?” he asked cheekily.
“Every woman has,” chuckled Jenna. “I saw every female’s head spin when you entered and checked to see who was causing the big stir. When I saw it was you...well it was entertaining to see how you operate in these situations. I always had you pegged as more of a flirt and an extrovert.”
“People change,” said Spencer softly.
“They certainly do.”
They stood in silence.
“Spencer?”
“Yes.”
“You can’t stand by my side the entire night tonight. I’m going to have to circulate.”
“Is that your way of giving me the brush off?”
“No, that’s my way of saying I can’t afford to lose this job. I’ll give you a signal when I’m due on my break.”
Without thinking, Spencer kissed her cheek and made his way to the bar. Jenna’s hand flew to her face. The electricity when he touched her was still super charged. It was as if the imprint of his lips had burnt a mark on her face. She could feel her eyes welling and began to stomp around the room to offer the food to the guests. Keeping herself busy, the next ninety minutes flew by. A fellow waiter tapped her on the shoulder to notify her of her bre
ak.
Passing the bar, she gave Spencer a wave. Leaving his drink, he followed her out.
“It is chilly out here,” he noted as Jenna insisted on heaving open the fire exit. “Is it inappropriate of me to offer you my jacket?”
“Not at all,” shivered Jenna, “but you very may well regret it.”
Spencer slung it over her shoulders and shivered himself.
“You look radiant tonight Jenna.”
“In this outfit?” she laughed.
“I don’t know. The traditional waitress uniform has its benefits. Shows off your legs and cleavage; no man will criticize that. It’s a huge improvement on the Supreme Cleaning Service polo shirt and jeans.”
Jenna laughed. “There was a compliment somewhere in there, so thank you.”
“I know it’s not my place to say it, but I’m proud of you, Jenna.”
“Why?”
“Because you changed. You grew up in front of my eyes. You’ve lost none of the qualities that I fell for, but you’ve gained so much more in how you approach life. At first, you were a girl trying to deal with a woman’s problem, now I see a strong woman directing and controlling everything life throws her way. It’s an amazing change to witness.”
“That almost hints at you having fallen in love with me.”
“Almost,” smirked Spencer into the dark night.
The lack of moonlight made the darkness heavy, almost suffocating.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think I would’ve changed without you stepping in my life,” admitted Jenna.
“My only regret is that I stepped out of it so quickly,” confessed Spencer.
Without another word, the couple kissed.
*
Spencer was going to be the last to leave the party. His acquaintances seemed relieved to see the old Spencer back on the scene. The female singletons were vying for his attention throughout the duration of the evening, rejecting other advances from eligible bachelors on a thin thread of hope that Spencer may choose them. But Spencer chose none of them.
