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"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Bad choice of words," I said, taking her hands in mine. "I think I'm a step closer to figuring out who's behind the dating profiles."
"Really? That's wonderful news." Molly smiled. “How'd you find out?"
"Earlier today, I overheard a group of students talking about catfishing strangers online. I informed Walker and he had the kids brought down to his office. They denied having anything to do with what’s been happening to me, but Walker as good as cleared me of guilt.”
"Oh wow, that’s great! I mean, it’s not great that they were doing that to you and not great that they’ll get in trouble but at least it clears you a bit. Do you think they were telling the truth?"
"I'm not sure. I mean, they seemed like they were, but..."
"You can't really trust kids."
"Exactly. They also didn’t mention anything about blackmailing. It seemed like they were more interested in getting goofy love confessions and so on, but it got me thinking. What if it is Valerie? She could have heard about the kids doing it and thought, hey, let me do it too."
Molly shrugged, not totally convinced. "That or they’ve heard of the show on MTV. It still could be anyone. So, what’s Walker going to do?"
She had a point, but I thought my instincts were right. "Tell their parents need to monitor their activity more closely. Who knows what trouble they could get into?"
"Right." Molly perked stood up to on her tippy toes and kissed me as if to end that line of conversation. Then she looked up at me and sighed. "How have things been with Natasha?"
"She's been quiet. It's almost more nerve-wracking when she’s radio silent. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know? Besides, I was thinking it could be her doing this as well."
"Yeah." There was something in her tone I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Either she thought Natasha being this was obvious, ridiculous, or she was just exasperated by the whole thing.
"So, have you thought about it? About Hailey going to her wedding."
"I have, and I think I'm going to let her go."
“I’m sure that is hard for you.”
"I don't know. No one can ever be a hundred percent sure, but I don't want to deprive her of having a relationship with her mother, even if it's a strained one."
"That's really mature of you." Her tone was endearing more than sarcastic.
"I try." I laughed and pulled her into a hug, sinking into the feel of her. I pulled back and looked into her eyes, the same eyes I'd spent years avoiding. Now, they were the last thing I wanted to look away from.
"You're so beautiful," I murmured.
She blushed. "Stop."
"No, seriously. You are." We stayed like that for a moment, kissing and touching, before pulling apart and collapsing onto the couch.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Before she pulled away and said, "Well, I better get going, school night.”
"Yeah, you're right,” I said, even though I didn’t mean it. I wanted her to stay. “Thank you for today. I was glad you were there."
"Of course, anytime. Call me if you need anything."
I walked her to the door, and as she stepped out into the night, I was overwhelmed by how much I didn't want her to leave.
"Goodnight," she whispered.
"Night."
She walked to her car, the feeling of her pressed against me still fresh in my mind.
When I closed the door, I leaned my head against the cool wood, trying to collect myself.
