Giving A Taste-Part II

"Everyone come inside…" Cam opens up the door and everyone steps inside, Spencer and Trina sharing another look with each other.

"Cam did you invite Spencer to this dinner as well?" Joss asks folding her arms. Joss was currently not on good terms with Spencer due to his relationship with Esme and treatment of Trina. Things were frosty between them, and she did not want this dinner at Cam's to be awkward. Not just for her but also and especially for Trina. Trina had a lot on her plate with the Title IX investigation and her trial, Joss felt she did not need to be around Spencer anymore than she had to be.

Trina's family and friends had wanted to take her mind off things and were trying to create some happy times for her right now. Joss did not want Spencer messing that up. Trina was upset with Spencer and felt that he had chosen Esme over her. She had also met and seemed to be hitting it off with Rory, and while Joss was initially leery of Rory at first concluded that he was a good guy who liked her friend. Joss wanted Trina to spend as much of her time being happy as possible, especially with the threat of her possibly being expelled and facing prison time. Joss did not want Spencer around, because she felt his association with Esme had caused harm to Trina and that his presence was a reminder of what Trina was at risk of losing due to her ties with him.

"I uh…well Spencer had just stopped by to talk with me for a moment about…work…" Cam responds carefully.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Joss…" Spencer quickly answers. "Like Cam said I was just stopping by to visit him and talk about work." He explains. "I didn't even know about this get together that no one thought to invite me too."

Joss rolls her eyes after he makes those comments. "No one thought to invite you to it, because no one wanted you here." She tells him harshly. "You made your choice when you chose your scheming hateful girlfriend over the rest of us…" She scolds him. "After all Esme's done and you expected to score an invite at the table with your friends?" She shakes her head.

"Nobody wants to hang around someone who is tied to that witch Esme, Spencer…" She frowns and then glances at Cam. "Well except maybe Cam." She notes indicating to her boyfriend. "He is the only one that can tolerate you these days, and honestly, I do not see how he does it. Because he is one of Esme's biggest victims." Spencer and Cam share a quick look after she makes that statement.

Rory's eyes widen as he watches the conflict between Spencer and Joss play out. He gives Trina a look and she shrugs with an apologetic look in her eyes.

"Well Cam is a true friend, and we are still close in spite of what you and anyone else may think of me right now." Spencer retorts. He quickly glances at Trina again.

"Like I said I do not understand why Cam is still interacting with you. Outside of like maybe work." Joss states with a hint of disapproval in her voice. "But it's his choice, I guess…." She sighs. "But the rest of us don't have to hang out with you like that…"

Spencer shakes his head. "Okay Joss I get the point…"

"Do you?" Joss asks. "Because your presence and choice to associate with Esme is a constant reminder of the pain, she's caused all of us."

Spencer shakes his head again. "I'm getting ready to go, like I said I just needed to talk to Cam…" He remarks again a thoughtful look on his face.

"I think that would be best." Joss states firmly. "So that we can enjoy over evening in peace…" She remarks. "These days whenever you are around, Esme isn't too far behind, and no one needs the extra drama." She comments. "I want to enjoy this evening and I am sure Trina and Rory want to enjoy it together as well."

Spencer frowns as he hears Joss mention Trina and Rory. He did not like that Trina was spending more time with Rory and now it seemed like Rory was being integrated into their group of friends. Spencer felt himself getting more jealous of Rory and his growing closeness with Trina. He really hoped he could exonerate her before they got too close.

"Okay, I'll go but first…" He pauses and then looks at Trina. "I need to talk to Trina first about something…" He states. Trina gives him a look after he says that, wondering what he wanted to talk about.

"Seriously?" Joss asks frowning. "What would Trina want to talk to you about?"

"If you must know it's about work, Joss…" Spencer replies. "We do work together at the gallery…"

Joss shakes her head after he says that and glances at Trina. Trina glances at her and then at Rory who gives Spencer a skeptical look. She finally turns her attention to Spencer.

"Okay just a moment, before you leave…" Trina responds and then her and Spencer step off to the side to talk.

"Okay…" She begins when they are a bit further away from the group. "What did you want to tell me about work?" She asks curiously. "Is everything going on okay there…?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you that I um… mailed out all of the thank you letters to all of the buyers we've had the last couple of weeks." He tells Trina. "Including those who bought pieces of the D'Angelo Collection…"

Trina nods. "Well, that's good... we always want to thank our buyers." She responds. "Ava is all about treating customers with the upmost appreciation…so I'm sure she'll be glad you did your job…" She tells Spencer. She looks at Spencer curiously. "You pulled me aside to tell me that?" She asks. "You couldn't wait to tell me that at work later on…?"

"I just thought you should know that I am serious about work and carrying out a job that I think is very important." Spencer remarks looking over her.

"Okay…that's good." Trina responds, wondering if there was more behind what Spencer was saying and his need to talk to her alone. "You definitely need to take the gallery job seriously especially since it's part of your restitution."

"I do." Spencer tells her. "And I take other jobs seriously as well…" He replies thinking once again about his plan to protect and exonerate Trina.

"Like Kelly's, I'm glad you're taking that job more seriously too." Trina tells him. "Now is that all you wanted to say to me?" She asks looking at him.

"No... I wanted to say…" Spencer looks her over again. "That I like your outfit." He tells her admiringly. "You look great in that color." He remarks indicating to her yellow jumpsuit.

"Thanks…" Trina responds perking up at Spencer's comments. "I just felt like wearing yellow today…" She admits to him. "I guess something about the need to have brightness…" She states and her and Spencer gaze into each other eyes again. They hold their gaze for a moment and then Trina looks away thinking.

"Rory really likes this outfit as well, he complimented me on it…" She reveals looking back at Spencer.

"Of course, he did…" Spencer responds, another frown appearing across his face. "I mean you do look great in it…" He repeats. He is then quiet for a moment as he thinks about what he wants to say next.

"So that guy is now on the friends and family invite list to various occasions?" He asks, a bit of jealously appearing in his voice again.

Trina sighs as she hears the tone in his voice. "Aiden said we could invite more people and I am sure he is cool with Rory coming. I am glad he came." Trina states firmly.

"Yeah…" Spencer replies. "Well, he sure is making his way into your inner circle very quickly." Spencer notes. "What's next he's going to meet your parents?"

"He's met them already…" Trina reveals.

"Really?" Spencer asks surprised. "You introduced him to your parents?" He asks, feeling a bit bothered that Rory had already met Trina's parents and possibly endeared himself to them.

"Well, they introduced themselves to him, when he took me home the other night after we spent time together..." Trina informs him.

"You went out with him again?" Spencer presses.

"Yes, Spencer…" Trina responds trying not to roll her eyes. "We're getting to know each other…" She remarks. "And he walked me to the front door and my parents opened it to us…"

Spencer frowns and he hoped that Trina was not going to say what he feared.

"Talking." She finishes and Spencer was relieved she did not say the word kissing. "They saw us talking and then well… introductions were made."

"Oh…" Spencer nods with a look of stoicism. "That's something... and did your parents love officer by the book?" He asks.

"My mom really liked him." Trina admits honestly with a smile. "They got along very well…"

"Great…" Spencer responds sarcastically thinking of how badly his last interaction with Dr. Portia Robinson had gone. She had ripped into Spencer about his and Esme's treatment of Trina. It got so bad that Ava had showed up and ushered Spencer inside.

"Yeah, mom was really impressed by Rory…" Trina continues. "She thinks he's an upstanding young man." She states. "And a good fit for me…" Trina's eyes widen after she makes that last statement wondering how Spencer would react to it.

"Well, that's great…" Spencer remarks half-heartedly looking down for a moment thinking. He looks back up.

"And your father probably was impressed with him as well?" He probes. "Especially since he is also a police officer. He probably is thrilled his daughter is spending time with a law-abiding man."

"Well…" Trina answers shrugging her shoulder. "Not exactly." She admits.

"What?" Spencer asks his ears perking up a bit. "Your father didn't like Rory…?" He finds himself asking, a touch of hope and relief appearing in his voice.

"My father… well he questioned Rory a lot…" Trina answers. "He really grilled him and asked him if he was comfortable breaking the rules…" She states. "He was pretty tough with the way he was questioning him.''

"Your father is a very smart and intuitive man; you should trust his instincts." Spencer tells Trina quickly, plastering a serious expression on his face.

Trina gives Spencer a look and then lets out a laugh. She crosses her arms and shakes her head.

"What?" Spencer asks innocently. "He seems like he's a very smart man and you should trust him." He states. "And if he thinks there is something off with Rory... well…maybe there is."

"Oh, Spencer cut it out." Trina tells him. "My dad grills every guy that is interested in me like that." She informs him. "It's standard procedure for him." She reveals. "And you know you're not his favorite person either…"

Spencer's face falls a little after Trina makes that last statement.

"Yeah, you'd probably get what my father did to Rory tenfold…" She muses. "Neither one of my parents are pleased with you right now." She reminds him.

Spencer sighs after she says that.

"My mother almost had you for lunch a while ago at Kelly's remember…"

Spencer nods. "Yes, I remember." He recalls and a remorseful look comes across his face. "Like I told you before I didn't mean to upset your mother… Trina…" He remarks apologetically.

"Yeah, but she was upset with you nonetheless." Trina points out. "And she's the nice one." She tells him. "My father can be really tough Spencer and if you think what he did with Rory was harsh…"

"I better run for the hills than try and talk to him right now…" Spencer fills in. "I get it."

"Yes…" Trina nods. "You probably should stay clear of both of my parents right now." She warns him. She finds herself reaching out and resting her hand on his arm. "For your own good."

Spencer nods and then looks down at her hand on his arm, her touch soft and gentle. A smile appears on his face.

"Yeah, my parents are not the ones when it comes to me…" Trina tells him. "But… I think overall they will be fine with Rory." She remarks removing her hand from Spencer's arm. "I mean he hasn't done anything wrong; mom already likes him and while my father can be tough, I could see him coming around to him too." She speculates.

"And I'm sure Office do nothing wrong will be more than happy to try and weave himself into your parents' good graces." Spencer comments sharply.

"Well maybe…" Trina responds. "That would be nice."

"Nice?"

"Yes, nice." She repeats giving Spencer a serious look.

"Just like it's nice that's he's over tonight having dinner with our friends…" Spencer remarks not liking how Trina was talking about Rory.

"Yes, Spencer just like that…" Trina responds not allowing herself to overreact to Spencer's attitude towards Rory.

"Well, I wonder if they will have fun with that guy or if he'll bore them to death…"

"I'm sure they will get along just fine with Rory." Trina responds. "He is a good conversationist." She states. "He will not bore them."

"Oh, really that guy who appears to live and breathe rules and regulations won't bore them..."

"No and you really need to stop referencing him as that guy." Trina states. "It's Rory Spencer. Rory..."

"I just think that guy..."

"Oh, Spencer how would you feel if you were referenced by other things other than your name on a regular basis?" Trina questions a bit annoyed that Spencer was still not calling Rory by his name. "How would you feel if Rory called you Guy with a criminal record..."

Spencer shrugs. "Well, that would be a true statement. I can't run from my past." He admits. "And well he has referred to me as the mayor's grandson..." Spencer points out.

"Yes, but he would call you by your name if you interacted more..." Trina muses. "And if you chose to behave more civilly towards him.

"I don't intend to interact heavily with that guy..." Spencer remarks defiantly.

"Oh, stop it, guy who already has a girlfriend!" Trina responds exasperated by Spencer's disrespect towards Rory.

Spencer cringes after Trina makes that reference to him.

"Trina..."

"That's right I said it." Trina remarks firmly standing up straight. "You are the guy with a girlfriend, yet here you are hating on Rory..." Trina shakes her head. "I don't get you sometimes Spencer..." She sighs. "You have Esme, yet you act so..." She sighs again and stops herself from accusing Spencer of being jealous of Rory once more. She is quiet for a moment and her and Spencer stare at each other, the tension between them thickening.

"They must have a lot to talk about regarding work..." Rory observes to Cam as he looks at them. He then turns to look at Cam.

"Yeah, I guess so. Spencer probably has a lot of tasks at the gallery that he needs to fill Trina in on." Cam responds, a curious look coming across his face. Cam wondered what Spencer and Trina were really talking about, but he didn't want to cause Rory to become suspicious of them.

"Hmm..." Rory remarks watching them curiously picking up on the tension between them. Rory could sense there was tension between them and Trina appeared to be frustrated with Spencer. He wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but he knew he wanted to continue to get to know Trina. The more time he spent with her the more he found himself liking her. Rory also believed that she was innocent of the crimes she was accused of regarding the sex tape. Rory had wanted to be there for Trina during her time of need and be someone that she could depend on. Rory still suspected that Spencer may have feelings for Trina, but he would remain patient and let Spencer who he felt may have been a bit of a loose cannon shoot himself in the foot when it came to her. Rory decides to chat with Cam and Joss while Trina was still dealing with Spencer.

"You don't get me?" Spencer asks looking at her, a somber look appearing on his face. "Well, that's something because once upon a time, I felt you were the only person that got me Trina..." He states. "Like truly got me..."

"I thought I did too... but then Esme appeared, and she started turning everyone's lives upside down, including mines." Trina answers. "Especially mines. And you chose to stand by her side Spencer." She shakes her head in disapproval. "That's a choice you made and now you have to deal with it." She tells him. "And no amount of you trying to discount Rory is going to change that."

Spencer is quiet for a moment as he thinks about Trina's words. She watches him, once again wondering what he was thinking. Just then the doorbell rings again.

Everyone turns to look towards the door.

"I wonder who that is?" Cam asks. "Maybe a friend of Aiden's?" He guesses. He goes to answer the door again and he frowns when he sees who it is.

"Esme..." He states as he sees her standing on the doorstep. He turns to quickly look behind him at the disgusted and upset faces of his friends. Spencer in particular looks upset to see her.

"Esme what are you doing here?" He asks upset that she had found him at Cam's home.

"I couldn't let you just run out on me like that, not after all that went down..." Esme declares. "I know you're upset about what I did, but we must talk. I'm not leaving here without you Spence..."

Spencer shakes his head in disbelief, Trina frowns and Joss rolls her eyes at Esme once again showing up where she wasn't wanted. Rory looks on curiously observing everything while Cam thinks about what an awkward situation this was.

"So come on Spence, come with me now so we can work things out." Esme instructs, while everyone turns to Spencer wondering what he will do.