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Becca nodded. "Thanks, babes. Yeah, she was pretty much a straight bitch. I mean, I can be a bitch, but I would never abandon my child.”
"True," Laney said and continued painting an unflattering portrait of a self-involved woman who barely tolerated the town she grew up in. Jake apparently adored her, but their wedding was of the shotgun variety. Then she callously abandoned her family once the novelty wore off. I shook my head feeling defensive anger swell unexpectedly, even as curiosity about her motivations lingered. "Who leaves their gorgeous husband and sweet child without a backward glance for some alleged fresh?" I mused bitterly.
"Right!" Becca replied heatedly before her eyes narrowed slyly, noting my impassioned tone. "But hey, her loss is your steamy gain apparently!" Laughing, I swatted the air in her direction, Jake still dominating my wandering thoughts.
It took some time and skillful avoidance, but eventually they stopped pressing me and we just hung out. A few times, I could see Jake through the sliding glass door in his kitchen. I think he was spying on me. It was funny.
I couldn't figure him out. One minute he was sweet and protective, and the next he was pushing me away and then we were having sex. He was an enigma.
When I was alone later, I thought back to the night before. It was fun, and I couldn't deny the attraction I felt to him. He was gorgeous, and when he let his guard down, he was kind and sweet. This whole real not real thing was confusing, and I couldn't trust what I was feeling.
After the girls left, I went inside and did some work. I was working on grading an essay when my phone buzzed.
Amy: Hey! Just wanted to check in and see how you were doing. I'm sorry if Jake is a jerk.
Me: Hi! Things are good and he's been fine.
Amy: Oh, thank goodness.
Amy: Okay, well, you let me know if things change.
Me: Of course.
I set the phone down and stared at the screen. A few hours later, I was still in the middle of grading papers when my phone buzzed again.
Jake: Hailey was adamant you join us for dinner. Come over if you can.
My heart leapt at his message, but then my mind went back to the night before. This was getting messy fast.
Me: What's for dinner?
Jake: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Brussels.
Me: Tempting.
Jake: Hailey is anxious to see you.
I sighed, frustrated that Hailey wanted me to be there but not him. But I texted him back that I'd be over in a few minutes.
"Hey, Hailey," I said as I walked into the kitchen a few minutes later.
"Hey, Molly."
"How was your sleep over?"
"Really good." Hailey launched excitedly into a sleepover recap as we moved food to the table. I listened intently, though my gaze strayed often to Jake, gauging his inscrutable expression. Conversation flowed easily, with Hailey carrying dialog until she asked innocently if Jake finally relaxed and had fun on our "date," causing us both to nearly choke mid bite.
"Uh, yes, we had a very good time, kiddo," Jake responded, his voice strained. "I'd say it was a success."
"Yay!" Hailey cheered, her brown eyes, so unlike Jake's blue, lighting up. "I'm glad. Molly is fun, isn't she dad?"
"Molly is the most fun," he replied, his tone wry and the smile that spread across his face was warm and genuine.
After dinner Hailey excused herself to finish up some homework. As soon as she was gone, the silence between Jake and I became palpable and awkward.
"So about last night..." I said as we cleared the table.
"Yeah," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "Listen, Molly. I don't regret it. It was great. But we need to—I just want to make sure we're on the same page."
