“You look guilty.”
“That’s because I am.” I hand over her phone and her To-Do list, on which only one item remains unchecked.
“You left, and I saw your list, and your phone kept buzzing, so I decided to tackle what was left. I’m just waiting to hear back from Ava. I know you said that Winn and Ava aren’t related to your Uncle Ed, but they only live a few blocks away, so she’s getting her brother’s ass up and out of bed.”
Molly just stares at me.
“You finished my To-Do list?”
“I did. Well, I’m just waiting on Winn, but I have no doubt Ava will whoop his ass into shape,” I say, before taking a bite of bagel. I’m damn near starving, at this point.
“It really is her life’s purpose. But back to you and my list.”
“Yea. Look, if you see it as an invasion of privacy, I apologize. I didn’t intend that at all. And, to be clear, I didn’t do it because you couldn’t, just so you didn’t have to. And I didn’t do it to free up your day, so you could spend it with me, though you certainly can. I did it to give you a day to do whatever you want. You don’t need to plan my sister’s wedding or mow your great uncle’s grass or babysit your cousin’s toddler.”
Her silence unnerves me, so I brace myself to get slapped across the face. Instead, I get my woman leaping into my lap. “Are you done with your breakfast?” she asks.
“Yes,” I answer. I’m not done with my breakfast, but I’m also not a fool.
I hear Stella say something about getting picked up for BINGO, but I don’t pay much attention. She’s an adult who can handle her own schedule.
And so can Molly.
Lucky for me, it’s clear today.
The smell of fried food hits me as I walk into Trick’s and settle in at the bar next to Nick. Seconds later, the bartender, owner, and namesake, Patrick Cavanaugh, delivers our wings and beers. We’re predictable and low-maintenance customers. And long-time friends of Trick and his cousin Nolan.
“Thanks for ordering for us.” I say to Nick.
“Thanks for being late,” he jokes. “I’m guessing you were making out with your man in the parking lot and lost track of time.”
“Haha.” I roll my eyes. “I’m less than five minutes late.”
“Not my fault your guy doesn’t have stamina.”
I swat him on the arm. “Shut up. You like Ev. And—”
“Woah, woah, woah.” Trick slides back down to our end of the bar. “Molls, did I just hear this asshole right? You have a guy?”
Before I can even answer, Trick just keeps talking.
“Nolan, get out here,” he calls to his cousin, the cook. And, surprisingly, Nolan walks out from the kitchen. He’s a total sweetheart. We went to high school together. He’s one of the nicest guys I know, but he’s painfully shy. It’s one of the reasons he stays back in the kitchen, while Trick mans the front.
“Hey, Molly, Nick.”
“Hey, Nolan. How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain. You guys just here for wings? I’ve got a killer crab cake sandwich tonight, too.”
“Yea, yea, you’re a magician in the kitchen. They both need sandwiches with fresh cut fries.” Trick prattles on. “But the actual reason I called you out here is because Molly has a new guy.”
Nolan looks around. “Where are you keepin him, Molls?”
“He’s not here yet. He’s at the gym with Gavin. And also, he’s not really my guy.”
“Bullshit.” Nick coughs.
“Ok, we’re together, but we’re not in a relationship,“ I amend.
