For the first time since meeting her, Alexia looked slightly unkempt. Her nails were chipped, her makeup caked, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes. Molly’s mind skipped back to Hazel’s passing remark about Alexia being in a spot of bother and wondered what she’d meant.
“Please, hon, sit down. We can still be friends, right? I could really do with a friend right now.”
Molly couldn’t quite read her tone, so she sat but remained wary. They’d never be friends, but there was no need to inform Alexia of that fact. Not yet, anyway.
“Have you seen Jake today?” Alexia asked.
Molly waited while the server set her order on the table. “No, I haven’t. Is everything okay?”
“I just need to talk to him about this money thing. He’s not at the patisserie, not answering his phone, and even Hazel’s too busy to take my calls. Can you text him for me?”
Molly poured her tea. “I would, but my phone’s flat.”
“He’s doing it on purpose. I blame that Ava bitch. Not that he’s mentioned her since he’s been back. Maybe they had a fight.”
Molly kept sipping her tea, trying her best to feign concern. “So you’ve seen him recently?”
“Yeah, he invited me over for a drink the other night. We had a nice time, so I just don’t get it. Anyway, what have you heard? Are they back together?”
“I have no idea.”
Alexia narrowed her eyes at Molly. “Hey, my bad. I know you have a crush on the guy, and here I am, talking about Ava. You must be devastated—first Jesse, now Jake. Actually, I’ve been really concerned for you, hon.”
As if.“Don’t worry about me. I’ll cope.”
“Good for you, but honestly, take my advice and stay away from the Sinclairs. There’s no loyalty in that family and you’re far too sweet to get mixed up in their drama.”
Surprisingly, her words had no effect. In fact, Molly found them rather liberating. “Anyway, I really should go.”
“But you haven’t touched your scone.”
She stood, wrapped the scone in a napkin, and then rummaged through her bag when her phone buzzed with an incoming call.
Alexia stared. “I thought you said your phone was flat?”
Molly shrugged and checked her phone screen. “Oh, speaking of Jake! I’d better take this. Enjoy your day,hon.”
She put the phone to her ear and answered the call with a cheery “Hey, babe,” then winked at the stunned Alexia and strolled out the door without so much as a backward glance.
In contrast to her meeting with Hazel, her dignity may now have been a little ruffled, but it was so worth it.
CeCe chuckled down the line. “Babe? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds coming from you?”
As she walked along the street to her car, Molly couldn’t keep the grin from her face. “Don’t worry. I was just making a point. And, shit, it felt good.”
“Sorry, I don’t follow.”
“Let’s just say that I’ve finally earned my ‘bad ass bitch’ crown! I’ve worn it twice today already.”
“Go you.”
37
Mason:Hey Molly. It’s my birthday on Saturday 31st. Food, fun, and music from 1989. Steaks hit the grill @ 7 p.m. No RSVP needed, but please come. Let’s party!
The last two words of Mason’s text didn’t really sound too appealing, nor did the steaks, but apart from a few casual evening meals with her cousins, Molly hadn’t had a night out in ages. It was high time she broke the social ice again.
House keys in her bag and ready to leave, Molly gave herself a mental slap and took several deep breaths before heading downstairs to her Uber. She was off to a party, and she’d enjoy herself no matter what. If not, she’d be home in bed by ten with a good book and several rows of chocolate.
