Page 25 of Rekindled

“This is my brother, Greg. He was two grades lower than us, but knew a lot of our classmates, so I invited him to come with me.”

“Oh, I think I remember you, Greg,” Spencer said with recognition. “You played on the JV football team, right?”

“I did. I’m surprised you remember me though, considering how busy you were with the varsity team.”

“Hi, Greg. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Molly.”

His face changed from light and easy to rigid and somber. “I know who you are, Molly. I remember what happened to you in high school. I’m really sorry you had to go through all that. It wasn’t right.”

“Thank you. Besides my few friends, I didn’t think there was anyone who even cared what happened to me.”

“There was more of us than you know.” He glanced over at Spencer with a frown. “And we would have tried to stand up for you if we weren’t so afraid of what might happen to us.”

Spencer shifted in his seat as he averted his eyes. Molly could tell he was uncomfortable with what Greg was saying. A few days ago, she would have reveled in it, but getting to know the man he was now, she didn’t wish ill for Spencer anymore.

Over the next ten minutes, two members from the debate team and their spouses joined them, filling the table. The server brought their plates of food. Everyone ate and talked about their lives. By the end of the meal, Molly was enjoying herself, and able to mostly forget about the first part of the evening.

* * *

After dinner,Spencer and Molly took a look at the memory wall and also went over and took some photos in a picture area.

“I have to go to the restroom,” Spencer said, letting go of Molly’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”

Spencer headed out of the ballroom and made his way down the hall to the bathrooms. He thought about the night so far, and was grateful for Sarah and her brother, Greg, sitting with them. It had made it easier once some people she knew joined them.

He had expected his school friends to treat Molly coldly. Considering how much time had passed, he had hoped people had let it go. Instead, it seemed from all the gossiping and mean-treatment, people were still rehashing what happened between Molly, Spencer, and Tiffany.

After finishing up in the bathroom, he exited and started to make his way back to the reunion. From a distance, Spencer stiffened, recognizing Tiffany.

The years hadn’t been kind to Tiffany. Her hair was still dyed red, most likely in an effort to hide her aging—but it only made it obvious she wasn’t the knockout she’d been in high school. As she got closer, her wrinkles and extra weight added to her poor image. Part of him felt bad for her. She had been forced to move back to Bayfield to live with her parents several months ago after her Hollywood husband cheated on her, then dumped her. A solid prenuptial agreement left her with nothing to show for the last ten years.

“Hey there, Spencer. I’ve been looking for you ever since I got here a little bit ago,” she slurred out as she placed her hand on his arm.

The smell of alcohol wafted off her, making it clear she was intoxicated. Her eyes were unfocused, and she stumbled a bit as she leaned against him.

“You’re not looking too good, Tiffany. Maybe you should have some coffee to help sober you up.”

She pulled back, giving him an angry look. “I don’t need you telling me what to do.” Then trying to give him a seductive smile, which ended up being a lopsided grin, she added, “Unless it’s in the bedroom. You can do that any time.”

Spencer had to force down the bile rising in his throat. The last thing he wanted was to do anything with Tiffany, let alonethat.

“You’re drunk, and I’m not interested in…” he gestured towards her, “whatever this is. You need to sober up, and I need to get back to my date.”

Not waiting for a response, Spencer disentangled himself from Tiffany and headed back to the ballroom. He made a straight path to Molly, who was talking with Sarah at the table.

“Would you care to dance?” Spencer asked, reaching out his hand to her.

“I’d like that,” Molly said with a smile, putting her hand in his.

He led Molly to the dance floor, where he gathered her into arms. It felt great to have her body snuggly tucked against his own. He grinned down at her and said, “You’re a great dancer, Molly.”

“Thanks. I didn’t get much practice while in school, missing prom and all, but I took dance classes for one of my stories when I worked for Elite Magazine.”

The pang of regret hit Spencer hard. He should have been the one to take Molly to the prom, but it never happened, because he was too stupid to fight for their relationship. He pushed the painful thoughts away, and focused on the last part of what she said. “That’s right. You worked for a fashion magazine for a couple of years.”

“It was a great learning experience, but I’m much happier writing for a news outlet.” Then her brows came together in a questioning look as she asked, “Wait, how did you know I worked for a fashion magazine?”

“I have a confession to make. I’ve been following your career for years. I’ve read all your articles. You’re really talented, Molly.”

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