“Hey, Nate,” I say, as we shake hands. “You remember Molly from the coffee shop?” My hand wraps around her and rests at her waist.
“How could I forget?” They exchange a brief hug, and Nate smiles, then looks me up and down. “I see you’ve ditched the Bengal cat sweatshirt in favor of a suit, Ev. Must have been a tough choice.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks again for getting us checked in and leaving a key at the desk for us—saved a ton of time, and I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Did you guys have a good flight?”
“Yes. Well, I guess we did.” Molly smiles. “I slept for most of it, so I’m calling that a win.”
“She slept; I worked. Did you get that email I forwarded you from Peretti?”
“Yea...I’m guessing you haven’t seen him yet?”
“No, but it’s inevitable at an event like this. Is it too much to hope his flight was delayed?”
Nate gives me a wry smile and rubs his hand along the back of his neck. Isn’t that the universal signal for bad news?
“His flight was definitely on time. He and his date arrived around the same time I did.”
“His date? I didn’t know Peretti was seeing anyone.” Although, that’s a bit unfair of me, I guess. I haven’t shouted my own relationship status from the rooftops, but that’s probably only because it would throw Molly into a panic.
“Have you guys had a chance to get a drink yet? Molly, what can I get you?”
“Oh, champagne and Chambord, please. I could go for something sweet.”
“And bourbon on the rocks for you, Ev—”
“What are you not telling me, Nate?”
“It’ll keep a minute. And it’ll go down better with a drink in your hand,” he assures me and strides toward the bar.
I turn toward Molly to comment on Nate’s odd behavior, but that’s when I spot Joel and his date.
Molly must feel me tense up, because she leans up on her tiptoes and whispers, “Who’s the douche in the corner staring daggers at you? And should someone get his date a sandwich? Girlfriend looks hangry.”
And damn it all, I laugh. I tighten my grip on her waist and hold her close as a year’s worth of frustration bubbles out of me, leaving me impossibly lighter than I was just a few minutes ago.
“Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m a laugh riot, but my sandwich joke wasn’tthatfunny, Ev. What has you cracking up?”
My smile is sincere as I face Molly. “You’re wrong, Molls. It’s definitely you. You and your sass and your jokes make everything better. And you’re perceptive as hell. Joel’s date could definitely use a sandwich. Just make sure it’s tofu wrapped in kale. Victoria is allergic to carbs.”
It takes Molly a minute to catch on, and I can’t blame her. I was shocked as hell when I saw my ex-wife on Joel Peretti’s arm tonight. I can only guess that the universe decided that two miserable, self-involved people deserve each other.
“That’s Victoria? Elaine’s ice queen former sister-in-law? Your ex-wife?”
“Yep.”
“So you saw them?” Nate returns with our drinks in tow. “I wasn’t sure it was her at first. I was just an intern when you were still married to her, but—”
“But Victoria leaves a lasting impression everywhere she goes,” I tell him.
“You’re right about that. So, what can I do? Run interference? Trip one of them? Whatever you need, I’m here for it.”
Molly reaches out to pinch his cheek, and he actually lets her. And he blushes. Nate’s a grown ass man with an advanced degree in business from Northwestern, and he’s blushing like a kid at my girlfriend’s approval. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. No one is immune to Molly’s charm.
“We’re keeping him, Ev. I like this one.”
“He’s not a puppy, Molls. But, yea, he’s a keeper.” At my offhand praise, Nate nearly glows. I’m about to open my mouth to politely decline his ridiculous offers, but I don’t get the chance.
