Love, Los Angeles Style – Heather Scarlett #2
Before I could finish my sentence, Mrs. Garcia piped up from her seat. “Spencer, we seem to have an uneven number so why don’t you step in to even things out?”
While her request was phrased as a question, I knew her well enough to recognize that she was telling me the solution, not suggesting one.
The last thing I wanted was to offer myself up.
Being an introvert meant the last thing I wanted was to put myself in a situation with a stranger, no matter how attractive I found her.
“Umm, I’m the coordinator, wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?”
Mrs. Garcia chuckled. “The winning team will be voted on by the group each week so there’s no risk of conflict. It will be fun.”
My eyes darted to Natalie, who glanced nervously between me and Mrs. Garcia. “I’m okay, really?—”
“Nonsense. Spencer is more than happy to help out.”
There was no graceful way to get out of this without hurting Natalie’s feelings, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. Explaining that I was an awkward introvert who had no clue how to navigate social situations, avoiding them at all costs, seemed like too much to dump on a near stranger.
So I did the only logical thing. “Let’s be partners. It will be fun.”
The smile that lit up Natalie’s face encouraged me. I’d done the right thing. “Ok, sure, let’s do this.”
I fanned the envelopes out in front of me. “Choose our assignment and make it a good one!”
Natalie laughed, and I pretended to be nervous about her choice, even though I knew they were all the same. If I thought her smile lit up the room, her laugh warmed it hotter than a summer day.
She waited next to me while the rest of the participants made their choices. Once everyone had their envelope, I counted us down to open. Once I gave the signal, the sound of tearing paper and exclamations of surprise rang through the conference room.
Natalie pulled out the folded paper and handed it to me. “You open it. I’m too nervous.”
I opened the slip of paper slowly, drawing out the anticipation for her. She leaned over my shoulder to read it, and I caught a whiff of her floral shampoo. Her long blond hair tickled my arm. I was overly conscious of her nearness that it was all I could focus on.
She remained close as we read the challenge— find a view worthy of a piece of art— and whispered in my ear, “I know just the place.”
I turned towards her, inadvertently bringing my lips dangerously close to her mouth. Natalie stepped back with a playful smile and put her index finger to her lips. “I’ll tell you later.”
It dawned on me that there would be many laters with her as we had four weeks of scavenger hunts ahead of us. We’d be going on adventures all over Los Angeles, and my pulse sped up at the thought of spending more time with this intriguing woman.
Natalie
We’d agreed to meet at our favorite café before heading out on our first adventure. Spencer didn’t own a car and preferred to walk or bike. Where we were going today definitely required a car.
As soon as I read our challenge, I knew the Getty Center was the perfect place. Not only was it an amazing museum, it had the most gorgeous grounds and a killer view of Los Angeles. And while I’d read about it, I had yet to have the opportunity to visit.
When I arrived, Spencer was seated at a table outside with two beverages in front of him. He’d texted me earlier asking my order and it was sweet of him to have it waiting for me.
I sat and he nudged one of the cups towards me with my Americano. “Thanks.”
“I’m looking forward to today. I haven’t been there in so long.”
“I’ve never been.”
Spencer’s eyes darted to mine in surprise. “Really? I assumed you had since it was your suggestion.”
“I’ve wanted to go but haven’t made it yet. I’ve only lived here a few months.”
“Where are you from?”
“A small town in Ohio you’ve probably never heard of.”
“How do you like it here?”
“I love it. Takes some getting used to, though. Like the fact that it’s chilly and foggy at ten in the morning in June.”
Spencer laughed. “June gloom. The marine layer usually burns off by midday but not always.”
“I’ve learned to layer.” I waved a hand at my light-blue sweater over my long-sleeved tee.
Spencer grinned, pointing at his own lightweight jacket and jeans.
We’d finished our coffees while chatting, so I pulled out my phone to order a rideshare. Within a short time, we were on our way to the museum, crowded in the back seat of a Prius.
The proximity set my nerves on high alert, his thigh brushing mine as the car navigated turns.
His cologne smelled fresh and woodsy, and I resisted the urge to bury my nose in his neck.
His jaw was slightly scruffy as if he’d forgotten to shave for a few days.
It gave him a rugged look, and I wondered if his face would be soft to the touch.
All thoughts I needed to push away since we were not on a date, and I shouldn’t make things weird for the kind librarian who had volunteered to partner with me so I wouldn’t have to third wheel another group.
The ride was shorter than I expected, as Sunday morning traffic was light. Before we knew it, we’d stepped out onto the curb a short walk away from the tram that would take us up the hill to our destination.
There was a steady crowd making their way through the security checkpoint, and we waited a few minutes until we could move forward to wait for the tram.
Giddiness bubbled up as I watched the tram make its way down the hill towards us. I’d never experienced such a unique location before where it truly felt like entering a different world.
When the doors opened, Spencer placed a hand gently on my back to lead me forward, and we stood at the pole in the center as seats filled quickly.
He pressed his larger body towards mine to protect me from the crush of people.
I found myself leaning back to rest gently against his strong chest to keep my balance as the tram climbed towards the top of the hill.
He placed a hand on my hip under the guise of steadying me, though we weren’t moving so quickly as to need it. I had no complaints as his warm hand on me, combined with his body pressed into mine, had my pulse soaring.
The ride passed much too quickly, and we were soon at the front entrance, considering which of the four buildings we wanted to explore first. He turned to me, waiting for me to express a preference.
“Can we start at Van Gogh’s Irises ?”
His face lit up. “Perfect place to start. It’s one of my favorites.”
We walked near each other, hands brushing as we made our way across the plaza to the building that housed the painting.
I desperately wanted to take his hand but didn’t want to overstep.
So instead I soaked in the accidental touches without making a move for more.
Spencer seemed to be a shy guy but had not hesitated in his gentlemanly gestures.
His subtle confidence was attractive and it also seemed that he was unconsciously being a nice guy and not deliberately making a move.
Once we’d reached our destination, we stood silently taking in the art.
Spencer had seen this particular piece before, but it was my first time seeing a Van Gogh in person.
I hadn’t considered my upbringing in Ohio particularly sheltered but the more I explored a larger city and got to know Spencer, I realized there was a lot I had to learn about the world.
“What do you think?”
I turned to find his green eyes intensely watching me.
Self-conscious, I flipped my hair over my shoulder as I considered my answer.
It was surprisingly hard to find the words to describe my experience.
Between his intense gaze and the overwhelming amount of art I was seeing for the first time, my head was swimming.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I like it a lot but I’m realizing I don’t have much experience looking at art.”
Spencer the librarian emerged as his brow furrowed in thought. “There is no special way to experience art. That is the beauty of any kind of art—the experience is deeply personal to the person consuming it.”
“I’d never thought about it that way before. I always assumed I was missing something important or that my views of something weren’t as good as those who studied the subject.”
Spencer nudged my shoulder with his. “Your opinion is just as valid as the person who studies art. The goal of creative endeavors is to evoke feeling, so anything you experience as a result does the work justice.”
His expression was kind as he spoke, and it was clear he meant to reassure me rather than lecture. His cheeks were pink and eyes bright, and I found that I fell just a little more in like with him as he expressed his passion so openly.
We had a whole afternoon ahead of us to get to know each other, and I had a feeling that by the end of the day, my like might turn to something deeper.
Spencer
It was a perfect summer night in late June and I had a date to the Hollywood Bowl. Technically, it was a platonic date but it felt momentous nonetheless. Natalie and I had completed three scavenger hunt events so far and were having the best time.
I was head over heels for her, although I doubt she realized it. She was always sweet but never responded to my casual touches to indicate she wanted more, so I kept things strictly friendly.
The museum event had been our first and once we’d viewed as much art as we could squeeze into an afternoon, we settled onto the grass with wine and chatted about everything while listening to a live string ensemble.
We’d talked childhood dreams and adult goals.
We’d giggled over the small children toddling about and speculated backstories for other couples gathered nearby.