Molly flipped the screen cover over the top of it. “Oh, uh, it’s nothing. Just doodles.”
Katie tilted her head, studying her.
Molly frowned at herself. She had every intention of showing it to Katie at some point, but here she was downplaying it. It was now or never. “Actually, it’s not. I want to show you something.”
“It’s about time,” Katie said.
Molly furrowed her eyebrows. “What?”
“It’s about time you showed me what you’re working on. You think I’m oblivious to you doodling on your breaks? I’m so curious and have been wanting to see, but figured you would show me when you were ready. But, girl, I’m running out of patience.”
Molly laughed. “Seriously?”
Katie held out her hands and beckoned for the tablet. “Yes! Now give it to me. I cannot wait another moment.”
Molly hesitantly handed the tablet over and then crossed her arms, as if that could protect her from potential criticism. But she knew that was ridiculous. She didn’t need protection. She knew her sketch was good. Molly had even researched how to create a website using all the elements she drew. It was something she had dabbled in during high school and college, soshe was already familiar with it. While she knew it wouldn’t be easy to do, it was something she was willing to learn again.
Katie swiped her finger on the screen to view the different pages Molly had made. Molly fidgeted as she waited, but before she could hear what Katie thought, a customer walked in. She stepped up to the counter and smiled. “What can I get for you?”
While Molly made the customer’s coffee, she glanced over at Katie frequently, who had a smile on her face. Then Katie motioned for Eli to come over. Molly felt the heat crawling up her neck. Eli had already seen her sketch of the bookstore, but she hadn’t shown him anything since. Facing both of them at the same time was daunting.
Molly passed the drink off to the customer and thanked them for coming in before walking over to where Katie and Eli were looking at the tablet. They were whispering, and suddenly Molly felt self-conscious. She hadn’t given thought to the idea that they might not love it as much as her.
She tugged at the sleeves of her sweater and fidgeted as she waited for them to notice her. Finally, Katie looked up. She handed the tablet to Eli and took a step forward, pulling Molly into a hug.
Molly stood frozen for a moment, stunned into silence. Then she reacted and hugged her back.
“Um, does this mean it doesn’t suck?”
Katie pulled back. “Are you kidding me? This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. And to think you did that for us. It’s incredible.”
Molly’s eyes caught Eli’s, and he smiled brightly before stepping forward. He set the tablet on the counter and then his arms engulfed her.
“I told you that you’re talented.”
She smiled against him and held him tighter before releasing him. “I was thinking I could turn it into a website for you, if you’re okay with that.”
Katie and Eli exchanged a look.
“We are more than okay with that,” Katie said.
“I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about doing online sales, but I have thoughts for creating an online store for you to mail books around the country too,” Molly said.
Eli nodded. “I think it’s a great idea. I could package orders during lulls, and I’m sure Michelle could help if things get too busy.”
Katie clapped her hands together and bounced up and down. “This is so exciting! I can’t wait to see the final result!”
Eli smiled at Molly, and she couldn’t help beaming back. She planned to start building the website when she got home that night.
15
It had been almost two months since Molly had moved to Storyville. She had spoken to her parents right when she settled in, but she hadn’t spoken to them since, except for a few text messages here and there. They were busy people, so it hadn’t surprised her… but it didn’t mean it didn’t sting.
She hadn’t told Eli, but part of her wondered if she should go back to Denver just so she could see her parents regularly. If it was the only way she could have a relationship with them, shouldn’t she want it? She wasn’t sure. It made her feel like a terrible daughter to stay away, but at the same time, she wanted to forge her own way in life, away from the chaos of a busy work life that left no room for a personal life.
But they also had the choice to see her, and they hadn’t made any attempts either.
She couldn’t imagine leaving Eli, but she also couldn’t imagine staying away from her parents.
