Chapter 8: Blocked by the fruit basket

Veronica Hastings was a busy bee lawyer. Both of Spencer's parents were busy lawyers but Veronica's the one who took real pride and joy in her work. Veronica was the rarer kind of lawyer that enjoyed helping people. She does love to strive for victories, but she started doing this job for the greater good. Not a lot of lawyers can honestly say that. For example, Mr. Hastings became a lawyer strictly for the profit. He was a good lawyer, but he fought dirty.

"Spencer, look at the fruit basket Mrs. Marin sent to me as thank you for helping her win her case," Veronica said.

Spencer looked up from the book she was reading to see the giant basket her mother was carrying. Spencer's mouth gaped open at the size. The basket was the size of their coffee table, and it was filled to the top with goodies: pears, apples, oranges, strawberries, chocolates, chocolate covered fruit, pineapples.

"Wow!" Spencer giggled. "We can live off fruit salad for a month!"

Veronica smiled, "I still have fruit left over from that one basket Mrs. Hash sent the week before. We really don't need all of this."

Spencer dipped her hand in the basket for the box of fine crafted chocolates. "Fine, I'll keep this for you."

Veronica took the box back and tossed it back into the basket.

"I have an idea. Why don't you give this basket to the construction crew outside? They work so hard. I think they would appreciate some appreciation."

Spencer froze. She agreed with her mother that giving them the basket would be a nice gesture, but Toby was out there. It had been a week since their…encounter. Was she ready to face him? Plus, Toby's already gotten his fair share of appreciation from her.

"That's a nice idea, mom, but I think they'd enjoy a hundred-dollar bonus instead," Spencer said.

"Your father's not willing to give them any more money," said Veronica. "Go take this basket to the men outside."

"Okay."

Spencer picked up the basket. "Wait," Veronica stopped her. She removed something from the basket. "Face masks. Now, you can take it."

Toby had been in a panic the whole week of work. Every day he showed up to the Hastings manor worried that he would get the news that he had been fired. What was he thinking? Doing what he did that Friday night. Did he really have to be so bold? He was sure that after he woke up the next morning Spencer would curse him and throw him out. He was sure that his job here would be over. But he hadn't heard a single word from her. Spencer had not yelled at him. Spencer hasn't even looked his way since it happened. Mr. Hastings must not know about it because he hasn't yelled at him for touching his daughter. Toby wasn't sure what Wren knew. He had seen Wren come to the house a couple times this week, but Wren said nothing to him. Was he in the clear? Was Spencer back with Wren? Even with all these fears and worries going through his brain, he could not stop thinking about how amazing it all was. His first thought after it all happened was how smug he secretly felt knowing he was able to please Spencer. He didn't even perform to his fullest potential.

Spencer walked out to the backyard where Toby's crew was working. She spotted Toby standing on a ladder getting ready to climb up to the roof. His other mates were all spread out working on their respective parts of the property. Spencer took a minute to take in the amazing work they were doing. The outside of the barn was almost complete. The roof is all done. Spencer had no idea what the inside looked like but she imagined it was looking incredible.

"Hey," a blonde-haired worker spoke to her. His hair was shaggy and damp from sweat.

"Hi," Spencer smiled at him. "You guys are doing some great work out here."

"Are you looking for the boss?" The worker asked.

"I don't want to bother him."

"It's cool. He's just checking a few shingles. Toby!" He shouted up the ladder.

Toby looked down and nearly fell backwards at the sight of Spencer. She was dressed in regular clothing but, truthfully, it was hard to look at her without picturing her naked. Toby climbed down the ladder to meet them at the ground.

"What is it, Rusty?" Toby asked.

Rusty pointed to Spencer, "she wants to talk to you."

"Okay." Toby patted the young worker on the shoulder. "Why don't you go help Randy and Jim inside?"

Spencer stood there dressed in a cream-colored blazer, black pants, and a long white coat. Her hair was down in a simple, but elegant style. Toby just had on a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt that was damp from sweat. Spencer could see his biceps through his shirt. Oh god. Tame your lady parts, Spencer, she thought to herself.

"Hi," Spencer was the first to speak.

"Hey," Toby smiled.

"Uh, here." Spencer held up the giant basket. "My mom thought you would appreciate this wonderful fruit basket as a token of our appreciation for all of your guys' work."

"Wow, thank you." Toby took it.

The two of them stood in awkward silence. Spencer twisted her two pinkies together as she balanced on the balls of her feet.

"Hey," Spencer broke the silence first. "Do you think we could uh…"

"Talk," Toby finished for her. "Sure."

Toby gestured towards his truck. The two hopped inside the truck. Toby set the fruit basket in between them. Partly because he didn't want to hold it the whole time they talked and partly to act as a barrier between them in case their inside urges get the better of them. They were now blocked by the fruit basket. They could still see each other's faces.

"I think you know we need to talk about what happened that night," said Spencer.

"Yeah." Toby nodded.

"I'm sorry about that night."

Toby sat there in shock. "Why are you sorry?"

"That night was my fault. I was a little tipsy and I was upset after my fight with Wren. Part of me feels like I cornered you."

"You didn't," said Toby, "I felt responsible. I shouldn't have stayed over. I shouldn't have come into your room dressed in a towel."

"I shouldn't have stood in front of you dressed in seduction clothes," Spencer smiled.

Toby chuckled. His mind filled with the image of her dressed like that and he could not help the sly smile that came on his face.

"I shouldn't have kissed your neck."

"I let you," she said. "In the moment, I really wanted you to. I know if you hadn't kissed me, I sure as hell, was ready to kiss you."

"I usually buy a lady dinner before I go down on her," he said.

Spencer burst into a fit of laughter. Toby chuckled. Spencer buried her face into her hands as her body shook with laughter. She settled down and managed to meet Toby's eyes. Today, his eyes were crystal blue. Her smile faded when she remembered what else she wanted to talk to him about.

"Wren came by the next morning," she said.

Toby's face relaxed. "He did."

Spencer nodded, "he apologized for his behavior that night. He handed me back my ring and practically begged me to take him back."

"Did you?"

She sighed, "it's complicated. I just felt so guilty all morning. I didn't tell him what we did but, I have this giant secret tugging at the back of my brain. I knew if I told him, it what upset him."

"I'm sorry," said Toby.

"It's not your fault. The thing is, I think my parents would flip if I lost Wren over something as silly as a fight."

"So, you're back with him then."

Spencer shrugged. "Yes."

"Good," Toby masked his disappointment. "I think that's good. If you're happy."

"I just…" she started, paused, sighed, then continued. "I don't want you to feel bad. You didn't do anything wrong." Her voice deepened, "really, nothing you did was wrong."

Toby tried not to respond to the seduction in her last words. He just nodded.

"I feel awful," she said.

"Hey," he reached across to lay a comforting hand on her thigh. "Neither did you. You were upset, you had a fight. Your head was in a funny place. It could happen to anyone."

She took his hand that was on her thigh and held it. "You're so sweet. On a high note, I really want to thank you again for that night. I may feel guilty for Wren's sake but, I don't want you to. I want you to know that I don't regret it."

"I don't regret it either," Toby admitted.

They sat there for a moment with their hands laced together and their eyes locked. Toby leaned in first. Spencer felt like a magnet being pulled towards him. They came closer together and probably would've let their lips meet in the middle of it weren't for the fruit basket sitting in their way. The feel of the plastic wrap kissing their faces made them snap too. They shared an awkward laugh and scooted away from each other.

"Uh, I should get back to work," said Toby.

"Yes, and I should get out of here." Spencer said it with a smile.

Toby chuckled, "right."

Spencer opened the passenger's side door. She paused to dig through the basket for the chocolates her mother tossed back inside. She made a noise of excitement to celebrate her finding them.

"Sorry," she smiled shyly as she waved the box in front of his face. "But these are just too good to give away."

Toby laughed as Spencer climbed out of the truck with the box of chocolates.

Do you think this helped them get over that awkward hump? How will their relationship change from this point? What if someone finds out about this? What about Wren?

I know some of you have read the Instagram version of this story so, you might feel bored and feel like you're just reading this all over again. Don't worry. I will change this story to make it original. Please, please, please remember to leave a review. If you're stuck on what to say, I give a discussion idea at the end of every chapter.