NYLON ~ 60 ~ BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
Hanna stepped into the cavernous lobby and passed by the receptionist before tapping on Spencer's door. Her friend smiled when she saw her and gestured to take a seat.
"So," Spencer pulled out some files, "we basically need you to head the visual design."
"You mean textiles, paint, furniture, that kind of stuff, right?" Hanna clarified.
"Basically," Spencer explained. "Toby makes the blueprints and then hands them to Caleb who adjusts for rewiring. Then you'll get the measurements and color scheme to plan the design."
"I get the fun job," Hanna smiled.
"Don't let them hear you say that," Spencer warned.
"Got it," Hanna pretended to jot down that note.
Spencer laughed and continued to acquaint Hanna with the procedure at Cavanaugh – Rivers Design. She took her through the whole building and introduced her to the other staff members until finally Spencer's stomach was growling.
"Time for lunch," she announced.
"Okay," Hanna smiled following her out to the street where they walked to a sandwich shop.
They ordered and took their seats in a plastic booth where Spencer started picking apart her sandwich. There was a short moment of silence until Spencer swallowed hard as if to prepare for a heavy conversation.
"What's the deal with you and Caleb?" she asked finally. "He's been different since I moved out."
"How so?" Hanna asked.
"You know how so," Spencer retorted. "Cut the shit, what's going on with you guys."
"We kissed," Hanna confessed.
"And..." Spencer was literally on the edge of her seat.
"And nothing," Hanna sighed. "I told him we can't keep turning into horny teenagers and then falling apart when it doesn't work out as planned."
"Isn't that a little harsh?" Spencer asked her.
"It's not fair to JT," Hanna said solemnly. "I can't promise that we'll always be together and I don't want to string our son along through our domestic woes. Not like my dad did to me."
"I get that," Spencer told her. "Have you guys recovered from your little indiscretion?"
"I hope so," Hanna sighed. "Honestly, I've hardly seen Caleb. He's always working lately and I've been trying to spend as much time with JT as possible before I start working full time."
"You know," Spencer told her, "I'm always gonna root for you guys. You're like the Ross and Rachel of my life."
"From Friends?" Hanna laughed. "That's a heavy reference."
"Well," Spencer gave her a knowing smile, "they had a baby too and they ended up together."
"Stop turning my life into a sitcom," Hanna told her. "Especially one where the chick has a boxy hairbut."
"Admit it, though," Spencer told her. "How great would it be if you and Caleb were together?"
"Of course," Hanna sighed. "I'd love that but we don't have the best track record."
"Don't give up," Spencer squeezed her hand.
"You know," Hanna's eyes glazed over, "for a second I really thought I was ready, you know. Caleb and JT were my little family and I almost forgot that we weren't together. It felt too natural to fall right back into his arms again."
"I'm telling you," Spencer replied. "You're meant to be together. There's a reason it never works out with the other guys and fate keeps pushing you guys back together."
"But it always pulls us apart too," Hanna reminded her. She sighed. "You know what, I don't really want to talk about this anymore."
"Okay," Spencer got the point. She paused before continuing. "Jason actually called me the other day."
"What did he want?" Hanna asked.
"He's trying to make amends," Spencer replied. "He's family after all."
"I don't trust him," Hanna retorted. "Not when he's on Team Mona."
"He's not Team Mona," Spencer protested. "They're married, not starting a cult."
"I just get a bad vibe from Mona," Hanna explained. "I can't shake the feeling that she'll always revert back to A."
"It might be true," Spencer said, "but I can't afford to alienate more family members. Right now I have to give Mona the benefit of the doubt."
"Just watch your back," Hanna warned her. "I've given her the benefit of the doubt more times than I can count."
"We better get back," Spencer glanced at her watch.
They both stood up and threw away their trash before heading back to the office. Once the elevator reached their floor, the doors opened and Hanna was face to face with Caleb.
"Hey," she smiled.
"Is Spencer treating you okay?" Caleb asked.
"I gotta pee," Spencer said bolting for the bathroom to avoid this conversation.
"Spencer's been great," Hanna replied.
"Good," Caleb said.
"Uh," Hanna paused, "can I ask you something?"
"Shoot," he replied.
"I just want to make sure," she told him, "that you're okay with me working here."
"Well," he said, "someone's got to take over for Spencer and I can't imagine anyone better than you."
"So you're okay with it?" Hanna asked.
"Yeah," Caleb gave her a sincere smile. "It's nice having you around."
Hanna wasn't sure how to interpret his words but she definitely wasn't in the mood to analyze everything that came out of Caleb's mouth lately. She'd made herself clear. If he wasn't willing to let go of a doomed relationship, then that was his own cross to bear.
