“A hundred thousand dollars… That’s insane. Why would Jesse do that?”
“Only you can answer that, but I suspect you meant more to him than you realized.”
Molly slotted the file back into the bookcase, fighting to keep her emotions in check. She’d always carry Jesse in her heart, and to discover he might have felt the same way about her was surreal.
Her father leaned forward and patted her on the knee. “Hey, come on. It’s okay.”
“He pushed me away when I could’ve been there for him, then left me all that money. Why would he do that? I never got the chance to be his friend… to hold his hand through chemo or take him on a road trip when he needed space, or even go to his funeral.” Molly swiped her sleeve across her face as tears welled. “He never gave me that chance… just cut me off.”
“Perhaps it was all too painful for him, and he wanted to protect you.”
She sighed. That scenario was the only one that made any sense, and the more often Molly heard it, the more she wanted to believe it was true. “Yeah, maybe. I’m still thinking about asking them to remove me. His family should get that money, not me.”
“I know you want to do the right thing here, but don’t do anything rash before you’ve had time to weigh up your options, okay?”
Molly nodded. “Okay.”
Her father stood and offered her his hand. “Come on. Let’s go throw some steaks in the pan.”
Molly took his hand and smiled as he pulled her to her feet. “You know I don’t eat red meat now, Dad.”
He chuckled. “Really? I thought that was just a phase.”
17
Back in Clifton Falls the following Monday, Molly called into the patisserie just before closing. Despite Tissue-gate, Jake’s éclairs hadn’t lost their appeal. But even so, the thought of seeing him again made her nervous. Thankfully, there was no sign of him and when Ari greeted her warmly, she relaxed.
It had become Gloria’s and her thing—sharing dessert at least once a week—and Molly now looked forward to it, and as she drove along the seafront, she could hardly stop herself from pulling over for a quick bite.
After a light dinner, a platter of sweet treats in one hand, Molly crossed the lawn to Gloria’s and let herself in. “Hello? It’s only me.”
She walked through the kitchen and into the small sunroom, where she found Gloria lost in a jigsaw puzzle. Apart from her grandmother, Molly had had little to do with the elderly, and at first, she’d wondered what they’d talk about on their dessert nights, but Gloria soon commandeered the conversation, entertaining Molly with tales of bands she saw on tour, sixties fashion, and music festivals she’d attended. Now, Molly considered Gloria one of the most interesting people she’d ever met.
“There you are.” Gloria looked up with a smile. She eyed the platter as Molly set it on the table. “Mmm chocolate éclairs… You’re a sweetheart.”
“I bought you a couple of macarons as well.” Molly smiled back at her before returning to the kitchen for forks, side plates, and paper napkins.
“So, Mr. Sexy Cakes hasn’t put you off éclairs then?” Gloria called out.
“As if. No man could ever putmeoff éclairs. And it’s Jake.” Back in the sunroom, Molly offered Gloria a plate. She pressed a piece of the jigsaw puzzle into place and took a seat.
“Have you seen him since the bake-off?”
Molly hesitated. Once she admitted the fact, there’d be no going back. “Actually, I gave him a ride home from the after-party. I hope that’s okay.”
“As long as you didn’t make out with the top down, it’s fine with me. The only person getting any action in that car is yours truly.Got it?”
“Stop it.” Molly laughed and bit into her pastry, so delicate on her lips that she doubted she’d ever tasted better. “There was definitely no making out. I hardly know the guy. And you do realize it’s not nice to objectify men, don’t you?”
Gloria flapped a hand in Molly’s direction. “Women have been objectifying men and vice versa since the dawn of time. Always have and always will. That’s what makes the world go around.”
Molly grinned. “Really?”
“Yes, really. What are you going to do about getting to know him better, then? He seems keen as mustard on a ham sandwich to me. Sure, the whole brother thing makes it a bit awkward, but, hey, life’s for the living.” She lifted a forkful of pastry to her mouth. “And don’t bother correcting me if I’m wrong, but there’s no point in missing out on an opportunity just because the past’s still puffing rain clouds over your head.”
As usual, Gloria had words of wisdom in spades, and Molly valued her input, but Jake Sinclair? “There’s no way I’d ever entertain the idea of Jake and me, and even if he was interested, I might only be here until Christmas.”
“Well, that’s totally under your control. Remember that.” Her éclair finished, Gloria picked up a macaron and pointed a finger Molly’s way. “Plus, you’re not getting any younger. Remember that too.”
