“You don’t have to explain. Do you need anything?”
He slipped into bed and held out his hand. “Just you.”
Molly removed her jeans and top and snuggled in behind him, and as she spooned Jake around the waist, he pulled her a little closer.
They slept soundly, wrapped in compassion and memories, and as Molly snuck out at sunrise after a soft kiss on his cheek and a whispered goodbye, for some unknown reason, she wondered if their time together had run its course.
Stay safe, Chef Sinclair.
30
Molly didn’t make it to the airport to farewell Jake, and in that way she had of brushing aside her anxiety, she was secretly pleased that his departure time clashed with a work meeting.
Besides, she’d never liked Thursdays, finding them glum and lackluster, and that particular Thursday, she couldn’t seem to still her concern.
They’d arranged to meet for lunch the day before, but she’d canceled after coming down with a migraine. When he phoned her that evening, his conversation was efficient and to the point, much like the man himself.
His mother’s call came before nine on Friday, and as Molly answered, her unease was immediate.
“Hello, Molly. It’s Hazel Sinclair. I was wondering if you’d have a few spare minutes today. I think it’s time we talked.”
Puzzled, Molly set down her phone and scanned her appointment book.
“How about Fig Leaf?” Hazel continued without waiting for a reply. “Shall we meet there around eleven?”
Molly rested her head in her hands and mimicked a silent scream. “Okay. I’ll see you then.”
“Fabulous.”
Shit!
Molly stood and watched as Hazel ascended the steps. Dressed in a Barbie-pink jacket with matching skirt and with pins adorning her lapels, she looked every inch the quintessential realtor. When Molly offered her hand, Hazel’s shake was uncomfortably lax, and she looked Molly up and down as if her appearance somehow failed to meet her expectations.
“Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.”
“No problem,” Molly lied.
Hazel gestured to the full-to-the-brim display case at the counter with an outstretched hand. “Gosh, doesn’t this all look amazing?”
Following Hazel’s lead, Molly ordered a savory scone and a cappuccino topped with chocolate before joining the older woman at the register.
Jake’s mother ushered Molly to a table for two by the window. Beyond its paneled panes, Carter Bay lay tranquil before them, and once again, that idiom, “calm before the storm,” surfaced.
“Well, what a stunning day we have.” Jake’s mother waited while the server delivered their coffees before continuing, “And thank you again for seeing me at such short notice. I imagine it’s not easy for you after the last time our paths crossed.”
Molly noticed the strain in her voice, and in that moment, sympathy overrode her fear of rejection. Perhaps she’d mentally constructed a scenario that had no basis in reality. She relaxed a little. “Yes, that was?—”
“Look, we might have got off on the wrong foot. I really appreciate what you did for Jake the other night… and the photo book. It was very thoughtful.”
So far, so good.“My pleasure.”
“It’s just”—Hazel buttered her scone but left it sitting on the plate—“this business between you and Jake. I’m struggling to get my head around it, to be honest. Have you been seeing him for a while?”
Or not.“Not really.”
“Is it serious?”
“That’s none of your business!”screamed inside her head, but Molly held her tongue. “I like Jake. He’s a kind man, and?—”
