“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
10
Molly had the day off, and Eli was missing every second she wasn’t there. He caught himself looking for her constantly. He knew he always looked in her direction, but it was different when she wasn’t there. It made him realize how often he did it.
By the time lunchtime rolled around, he couldn’t stand not seeing her any longer. He went up to the cafe counter where Katie and Michelle were making drinks.
“Hey, Katie, is there a chance you could make me Molly’s favorite drink?”
Katie glanced at him and furrowed her eyebrows. “Why?”
“I want to run it to her during my lunch break.” There wasn’t any point in hiding it. His siblings weren’t stupid and could clearly see what was going on between them. Plus, with Cole already knowing, the rest were bound to find out anyway.
“Aww,” Katie and Micelle said at the same time.
Eli cracked a smile. He couldn’t help it.
“That’s so cute. Give me just a minute,” Katie said.
Eli thanked her and then went back into the office where Cole was in his usual spot, typing away on the computer.
“Any chance you could help cover the register while I take off for a bit? Michelle is busy helping Katie.”
Cole looked over and nodded. “Of course.”
Cole followed Eli out of the office and took his place near the register. Eli went back to the cafe counter where Katie slid him a to-go cup of coffee and a takeout box.
“This is her favorite,” Katie said with a wink.
Eli smiled. “Thanks, Katie. I owe you one.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Eli went outside to his car and set the drink in his cupholder and the takeout box on his passenger seat. Then he drove to Molly’s place. He wasn’t entirely sure it was a great idea, but it felt great in the moment. He needed to see her. Going from seeing her nearly every day to not was driving him crazy. If he stayed in the bookstore any longer, he would lose it.
He found a parking spot outside her apartment building and grabbed the items he got for her before walking up to her door and knocking.
It only took a moment before she was pulling the door open. Her eyes widened when she saw him, and she immediately crossed her arms over her chest. “Eli, what are you doing here?”
She wore a pair of plaid pajama pants and an oversized sweatshirt. Her hair was tossed up in a ponytail, and there wasn’t any makeup on her face, only a green mask. He had grown up with three sisters and was used to seeing the strange things women did during their time off that he didn’t bat an eye.
She was relaxing, and he was happy for her.
“I brought you coffee and a pastry,” he said.
Her eyes darted to the items in his hands, and she relaxed. “Come on in. Don’t mind me.” She gestured to her face.
“I have sisters. I’ve seen it all.” He set her items on her kitchen counter and then turned to face her. Before he could talkhimself out of it, he stepped closer and pulled her into his arms. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she said softly. She craned her head back and looked up at him. “I’m trying not to get my mask on you.”
He laughed. “It’s fine.” He stepped away and looked around her living room. There was a movie paused on the TV, and several nail polish bottles were sitting on her coffee table. A sketchpad sat open with a pencil on top of it. Something had been drawn, but he couldn’t make out what from where he stood. He tipped his head toward it. “You draw?”
“Oh, uh, kind of? I’ve never done it seriously. It’s just for fun.”
He gestured toward it. “May I?”
