I couldn't pay because I was waiting for the money promised by the dev. Simple.
If dev ran away, I will pay him with my PERSONAL money. But dev is still trying to keep his promise.
If you are able to pay him with your
PERSONAL money then you ought to do so. Considering that you're saying you would pay jacee regardless, why wait?
Given that you have enough faith to believe that the dev will cover the design costs, you thereby be able to pay jacee without a doubt in your mind that you will be sufficiently compensated after the fact.