“That won’t be necessary, Spence, but thank you. I’m well aware my standing in our group.”
Unexpectedly, I wanted as far away from Spencer and my life as quickly as possible, but how could I remove myself from the toxicity when I was the main component in the vile concoction that was our lives?
On our way back to the W, I took the opportunity to ring Pembrook.
“Pemmy, it’s Sophie.”
“Sophie, you’ll need to be at the courthouse at seven in the morning tomorrow. Do not arrive late. Court is at eight and dress appropriately. I don’t think it’s necessary to remind you to keep a lid on your illegal activities this evening. Do try and be sober.”
And with that, he hung up.
My hands began to shake from their normally composed cool and I brought them to my mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Spencer asked.
“I have court in the morning.”
“How is that possible? It was only Friday you were arrested.”
I stared out the window at the cars around us. “My father did this.”
“Why would he bother?”
I thought back to the image of a floating jacket in our fountain. “Because I ruined something for him and this is my punishment.”
“Bastard.” He glanced at me. “You don’t have to go home, you know. I can drop you off tomorrow.”
“That’s really sweet, but I have nothing appropriate for court tomorrow.”
He gave me a sardonic expression and extended his hand toward the row of shops lining the street we were traveling.
“Buy something.”
“Fine, turn left here. I’ll just charge the long posy dress I saw in Temperley’s window last week.”
“I didn’t interpret anything you’ve just said besides turn left here, thank God.”
I could only playfully roll my eyes at him.
He dropped me off and found parking in the rear while I waited for him at the door. I needed his presence to keep me calm. If I were being honest with myself, I would have admitted that I was terrified at what was going to happen the next morning. If your father pulls political strings to get your criminal court date moved to the front of an already astronomically busy queue, I can’t imagine what he could stand to gain from that. Except revenge. Which meant he had no intention of making my life easier. I could feel Luques beginning to surface when Spencer opened the door to Temperley’s for me. I took deep breaths to calm my nerves. I was sincerely nervous for probably the very first time of my life.
“Which one?” he asked, this savior in do-me clothing.
“The soft pink one hanging in the window.”
He left me to browse while he took care of my purchase for me. I knew this little act just confirmed everything he’d accused in our dinner conversation, but I still strove to hold on to the slightest thread of hope that I would never turn out so pathetically acquiescing as my mother or as cold-hearted as my father. But isn’t that who you already are, Soph? You certainly cast your friends aside easily to screw their boyfriends, don’t you? I shook my head. Build the wall, I ordered myself and just as easily, my facial expression eased and my thoughts turned an entirely different direction.
“Size, miss?” I heard behind me, turning my head.
“A four, please,” I told the clerk and she quickly scurried off.
“It that all you’ll need?” Spencer asked from beside me after they’d adjusted the garment for a quick tailor. “I spied a shoe store nearby. I wouldn’t mind.”
“Thank you, Spence. That’s fine. Shall we walk?”
“Of course.” He turned his head toward the back room. “We’ll just be next door as you do the alterations,” he called out.
The clerk emerged and nodded discretely. “Give me half an hour,” she said.
Spencer led me to the shoe store next door and we perused the windows as we passed by. “What are you going to give me for buying these for you?”
“A swift kick in the junk?”
He laughed wholeheartedly. “I had to try.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I teased.
Inside, I immediately spied a pair of buttery-soft leather peek-a-boo’s in the corner. “Those,” I told him succinctly.
“Damn, you don’t waste any time.”
“I know what I want when I want it.”
“One can hope...” he trailed off.
“Really, Spence?”
“I’m sorry, but I keep getting flashbacks of yesterday night. You were goddamn hot in nothing but your lingerie.”
I sighed loudly.
“No, no, I know. I’m just frustrated is all.”
“I’m so sorry about that,” I told him sincerely.
“Not as sorry as I am, but it’ll do.” He winked in jest. “Anything else, then? Purse, scarf, a frenzied escape across the southern border?”
“Please, Spencer, if I wanted to flee, I’d fly. I’m not a wanted felon, for chrissakes.”
“Ah, but you’d be so hot on the posters. Bounty hunters across the states would mortgage their homes to be the one to bring you in.”
“You’re seriously starting to chafe me. I’m nervous as it is.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, kissing my temple. I could feel his chuckle against my skin. “Would you like me to come with you?”
“It’s going to be humiliating enough. I don’t believe your presence would be soothing.”