“No, of course I don’t mind. Spencer and I are good friends. But he told me he wasn’t really interested in dating right now. Maybe that’s why he’s been a little standoffish.”
“Maybe so. I thought it might have been because of the picture. You know, the one in the tabloid.”
“What picture? What are you talking about?”
Now Becca began to cry again. “He called me yesterday and accused me of taking a picture of your mom and sending it to the NYC Word. It must have been Candace. But he was pretty mad. And he hasn’t answered my phone calls since then.”
“What picture are you talking about? I didn’t know about a picture.”
“It was a picture of your mom when she came off the hiking trail. I guess Candace took the picture. But Spencer accused me. Isn’t that why your mom went on TV last night?”
She tried to remember what Steven had told her. Something vague about the press having a couple of pictures.
“Candace had better steer clear of me for the rest of her life. I don’t know what I might do or say if I see her again. And I can’t believe Spencer didn’t tell me about it yesterday.”
“Oh, I hope you won’t be too mad at him. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it. I think he told me he was going to keep you from finding out. He probably didn’t want you to know.”
“He has no right to keep something like that from me.”
“That’s how Spencer is. He does stuff like that all the time. I don’t mind though—I think it’s cute.”
“Well I don’t think it’s cute at all.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to start a fight between you. Please don’t tell him I told you. Then he’ll be even madder at me. Please! I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I won’t tell him. But if you didn’t take the picture, he shouldn’t be mad at you anyway.”
“I know.” She sniffed again. “It’s so awful. I like him so much, but he gets angry for no reason. But I always forgive him... I can’t help myself.”
This was a side of Spencer she’d never seen—controlling, angry, accusing, unforgiving. She felt a little better about her date with Asher, and a little less guilty for lying to Spencer about it.
“So where are you going on your date Thursday night?” Becca asked.
“We’re supposed to meet at some place called Green Scene. It’s not really a date, though. We’re only going for coffee, and I’m paying for my own.”
“I’ve been there. It’s a cool jazz bar. What time are you going?” she asked casually.
“We’re meeting at eight thirty. So jazzercise is definitely out.”
“What are you wearing?”
“I don’t know. I figured jeans.”
“Oh, no. You need to dress up for that place. I think you should wear a dress or a skirt.”
“Really, I thought it was a casual place.”
“I’m sure you’ll feel underdressed if you wear jeans. Is your art teacher cute?”
“Actually, he’s pretty hot, but we’re just going to talk about art class.”
“Sure you are. Anyway, thanks for talking to me. I feel better.”
“No problem. Maybe we’ll do jazzercise next week.”
“Sounds great.”
Why would Spencer hide his relationship with Becca? Grace had mentioned how many times Becca had called his cell on Monday night, although he’d denied dating her. Maybe he preferred his girlfriends to be well endowed. Since he’d apparently lied to her about Becca, she wouldn’t feel guilty for her little white lie concerning Asher.