Then Mr. Pennythistle turned to Spencer. “So. What are your plans? Off to Princeton after all?”
Spencer ran her tongue over her teeth. Once again, Princeton had reinstated her place at school that fall. Alyssa Bloom from HarperCollins had called, too, re-extending her book deal. She’d received a ton of emails in the past day to start up the bullying site once more.
Which she would . . . but maybe not this week. Maybe not next week. “You know, I’ve been thinking about taking a gap year,” she said, glancing nervously at her mother—this was the first Mrs. Hastings was hearing about it—and then at Wren, with whom she’d discussed the plan at length. “I talked to Princeton, and they said it would be okay to defer until next year.”
Mrs. Hastings took a sip of her cocktail. “What would you do instead? I’d rather you didn’t just lie around the house.”
Spencer took a deep breath and looked at her father down the table. “Well, Dad got me an internship at a Legal Aid office in Philly. I’d help represent people who don’t have money to pay for lawyers.” She shifted in the plushy seat. “I guess the trial got me interested in the legal system. And I’d work on the bullying book, too.”
Mrs. Hastings crossed her arms over her chest, considering this. “Would you live here?”
Spencer couldn’t tell if that was a plea for her to stay in the house or for her to get the hell out. “Maybe in the city. With roommates? I don’t know.” Spencer looked at Melissa. “I want to be close to the baby when he or she is born.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go to Princeton someday . . . just not in a few months. It was funny: Only when she’d really considered disappearing for good did Spencer truly appreciate what she had here.
“I think it sounds like a great idea,” Melissa said softly.
“Yeah, it sounds cool,” Amelia chimed in.
Wren squeezed her knee. “You’d make a great lawyer, Spence.”
“That’s what I’ve always told her, since she loves to argue,” Mr. Hastings said, rolling his eyes.
Mrs. Hastings let out a breath. “Well, I suppose it’s your decision. As long as Princeton has given their blessing about deferring.”
“Really?” Spencer cried, her whole face erupting into a smile. “Thank you, Mom!”
She circled the table to give her mother a hug, but Mrs. Hastings swished her away. “I’ll wrinkle,” she said, gesturing to her linen dress. But then after a moment she smiled, and hugged Spencer anyway.
Wren touched Spencer’s arm and asked if she wanted to get some air on the patio. They walked outside together, taking in the pretty vantage. The golf course was so green, the trees behind it so lush. Spencer could just make out the Hollis Spire through some of the branches.
“That went well, don’t you think?” Wren murmured.
Spencer nodded. “Better than I thought.”
Wren touched the tip of her nose. “I’m so glad you’re going to be in Philly. Because you know what else is in Philly, besides the Legal Aid office?”
Spencer put a hand to her chin, pretending to think. “Um, the Liberty Bell?”
“Not that,” Wren said playfully.
“Independence Hall?”
Wren chuckled. “How about me?”
Spencer’s heart did a flip. “Oh, right!” she exclaimed, in mock surprise. Then she sighed. “I can’t wait to spend more time with you,” she said softly. She was really excited at the prospect of getting to know Wren better.
Wren leaned in, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. Spencer shut her eyes, sinking into the sensation. Her world felt utterly right. She was so glad she hadn’t disappeared. She’d remained Spencer Hastings, and she didn’t have to give that up for freedom.