I’ll keep you updated.
Jason
At the advice of our lawyers, we held off on selling the lake house when we divorced. Property values were low in the area at that time, but a resort was built nearby, and now, it’s a hot spot. I’m glad to know the place is on the market, and I have no doubt it will sell quickly and profitably.
I shoot back a quick response, thanking him for the update and asking about his family. Then, I file the email in the divorce folder, pocket my phone, and walk out to my car.
It’s funny. A few months ago, the mere mention of my ex-wife or our divorce would have me stewing. I was all too happy to dwell on the ways she screwed me over. But now, she’s not even a blip on my radar.
This is what it feels like to move forward, I guess. And I know, without a doubt, that’s because of Molly. I know she’s not looking for anything long-term or permanent, but maybe, like mine, her feelings have changed. All I know is that I can’t imagine a future without her in it.
The sun is setting in the Dallas skyline as we leave the airport. The flight took just over two hours, but I barely noticed the time. When she wasn’t napping, Molly was regaling me with stories of her coworkers at Chesapeake Shores. That place is insane, if her tales are anything to go by. I’m used to the cut-throat, back-stabbing world of finance, but even I would never hide a microwave from a guy, just because he kept reheating his tuna casserole in it.
The plan is to check into our room and freshen up, before attending the cocktail hour in one of the hotel restaurants. What is not in the plan is detouring to a restroom or a supply closet to fuck my girlfriend from behind. But it is tempting.
As though she can read my mind, Molly gives me a look and says, “No way. No matter how gorgeous you are, I am not getting arrested for exposing myself in an airport bathroom.”
I barely open my mouth to respond, but she’s onto my tricks.
“Don’t even start. Mahady’s is a dive bar, and it wasn’t tourist season. And the door had locks. The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is a totally different scenario.”
“I’ll show you a different scenario,” I quip.
“Yea, back at the hotel.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right, and follow her to baggage claim, where I scoop up her giant-ass suitcase. My girl makes no apologies for being a heavy packer. She makes no apologies for anything, really. She lives life balls to the wall, and it’s one of the things I love about her.
Yep. Love.
There’s no denying it, even if she’s not quite ready to hear it. I refuse to lie to myself or hide the way I feel. That doesn’t mean I’m planning some huge declaration, at least, not just yet. Molly is slowly warming up to me. Gone are the days where she was constantly reminding me that we’re friends with benefits. We hold hands in public, and she kisses me when the mood hits her. I think she’s finally starting to see that I’m different from the losers she used to date.
“OMG, you didn’t.”
“I did.” I smile as she vibrates with excitement, as the clerk hands her the keys to the Mercedes I rented. She loves fast cars, and that’s an easy way to please her. I have about a hundred other ideas on how to please her, but those will have to wait until after the reception at the hotel. Our flight landed at 8, and the cocktail hour begins at 9, so we don’t have time to spare.
“Alright, Speedracer, let’s get to the hotel. Nate’s already there, and he checked us in, so we can swing by the desk and take the elevator straight up to our room.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“That’s why you keep me around.”
“One of the many reasons, yes.” She throws me a flirty look, as I load our bags into the trunk.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Gorgeous,” I warn.
“Later, handsome, I promise. I took a nap on the plane, and I’m ready to mix and mingle. But after a few hours of schmoozing, I’ll just be ready for you.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I smile, as she peels out of the parking lot. The look on the attendant’s face is priceless.
I’m not remotely surprised that with only fifteen minutes to get ready, Molly is looking as gorgeous as ever.
She’s wearing a black dress, and though I’m not a fashion expert, it’s no typical black dress. Or maybe it’s just Molly who’s not typical. The dress does that heart thing around her boobs, nips in at her waist, and then hugs her hips and falls a few inches from her knees. And if that wasn’t enough to get my blood pumping, the back is barely-there. She’s killing me, and I’m enjoying every second of it.
She steps into strappy shoes that bring her nearly eye-to-eye with me. Damn. There’s just something about a tall, curvy woman that does it for me, though, admittedly, my ex-wife did not fit that mold. If someone dared to call her curvy, she’d have their country club membership revoked.
I shake my head, both in wonder at the beautiful woman next to me and as a way to rid my ex-wife from my thoughts. If my luck keeps up, I’ll never have to see her again. And even that might be too soon.
The welcome reception is in full swing when we arrive. My company’s annual conference happens to coincide with a client meeting I have, so I could hardly beg off the reception, even though I wanted to. My heart’s just not in it lately, but I don’t want to stop and examine what that means right now. Instead, I’ll focus on my beautiful date. Molly and I make the rounds, and I introduce her to the Senior Vice Presidents and their spouses. Catching my assistant’s eye, I wave him over.
