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I sensed that I should walk away and I went to claim my usual table with a small smile. This was becoming a habit that I liked, even though Molly looked a little tense as she spoke to Noel.
I’d never been concerned with a woman’s family prior to this and it was odd, but comforting. I sipped the coffee and picked up the newspaper that was close by as I read about what was happening in the world. I thought about the classes ahead during the week, classes in which I’d be flying in for the first time in a while.
I thought about the fact that I might have seen Olivia with one of the new students and that I should look into that; nip it in the bud if there was anything to my suspicions. That was why I was here to begin with. I didn’t want another scandal but now all I could picture was the look in her eyes when she caught me with Molly.
It pleased me and I forced myself to think about the man that she was with. I hadn’t recognized him but I was new there as well. Maybe he was part of the staff that she could date, with a warning to be discreet about it. I could handle that part. That was in my job description.
I glanced at the counter and watched Molly talk to the mother and daughter with a small smile on her face. She was so kind and she handed the little girl a small plate with a pretty pink cupcake on it. She looked to be about five-years-old and her big blue eyes lit up as the mom laughed and touched Molly’s arm. That was something I’d never considered; a family. I tried to imagine a vague wife and a kid, maybe two but it was hard. I’d fought so hard to block that idea with my constant moving and it was never difficult before. If I settled here and retired, I’d have the time for all of that.
I hadn’t even slept with Molly yet. I barely touched her and here I was going too far in my imagination. I looked down at my plate and broke off a piece of the muffin, enjoying the melted chocolate of the freshly baked treat. These girls were going to spoil me and make me have to add a few miles to my run, but as I glanced back at the counter I felt like it was worth it. Well worth it. I wanted to ask Molly out for tonight but I knew that she needed to catch up on some sleep so I chose not to. I was happy to see her join me with some soup on her break, smiling warmly at her as she slid into the seat across from me. “Are you tired today?” I asked her as she looked up at me through dark lashes.
“I feel pretty good. I think I’m still feeling the rush from last night.” Molly looked surprised at her own words before she shook her head. “I know it wasn’t that big of a deal to someone like you, but I haven’t been comfortable with a man for a while.”
“Molly, it was incredible for me as well. I don’t want you to think otherwise,” I reached across the table to place my hand over hers, making her jump and look at me. I could feel eyes on us and knew that there was a new small town rumor starting, but I wanted to reassure her that she was special to me. “I want to ask you out for tonight but I know that you need to catch up on some sleep.”
“Is it terrible that I was hoping you would?” She asked softly as I stroked her hand with my thumb.
I chuckled. “Bring some clothes over with you and stay with me. I’ll bring you into work.” She stared at me.
“Why would you get up that early if you don’t have to?” Her voice was awed and I raised a dark eyebrow.
“I want to make sure that you get here safely for one. It’s early and dark.” I was a little confused as to what she was getting at.
“Oh, there's an officer that meets us every day. I’m sure that Noel would be happy to pick me up. It’s so close.” She seemed to want me to do anything but bring her to work, making me wonder if she wanted to come over at all. Didn’t she enjoy herself the other night?
14
Molly
I looked up at Robert, seeing concern in his eyes. I also felt people staring at us and could practically hear the words in their head, but I forced my focus onto him. “What’s wrong?” I asked him as he frowned and looked down at the table for a long moment.
“It seems like you’re finding every excuse not to come over. Didn’t you enjoy yourself?” He looked back into my eyes and searched them intently.
“No, I did. I just don’t want to put you out at all,” I assured him as my eyes widened.
“Hasn’t someone ever done anything nice for you before, Molly? A man in your life?” He asked me as tears filled my eyes. Lance wasn’t caring at all and always made me feel like an inconvenience. I shook my head and he tightened his grip on my hand. “What the hell? No wonder you’re skittish.” I looked around to see if anyone was listening, reddening when I saw that they were a little bit. My phone chimed and I jumped as I pulled my hand away to silence it.
“My lunch is over,” I murmured as I stared at him. I was shaky but I needed to calm down, reaching then for my coffee. It wouldn’t help but it was delicious. I’d only had a few spoonful’s of soup as well but my stomach was twisting now that I’d been involuntarily reminded of Lance’s cold ways.
“
Molly, I didn’t want to upset you.” Robert’s eyes were stricken as he stared at me and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“I’m fine, Robert. Text me later and we can figure something out for tonight.” I stood on shaking legs, realizing that he noticed as he frowned at me. He was so handsome and my heart soared in my chest at the tenderness in his beautiful eyes.
“I will. Take care of yourself.” He watched me gulp down my coffee to carry the dishes to the back, dumping the soup into the trash before I washed it. When I came back out to the counter after freshening my lip stain, I saw Noel looking at me with fear on her face.
“What happened? You were shaking when you came back.” She leaned against the black laminate counter and crossed her arms over her chest, taking advantage of the slow time.
“I was just reminded of the past. It wasn’t Robert’s fault at all but I just went back there.” I shook my head at her. “I don’t even know how to react to a caring man, Noel. What am I going to do?”
“You put Lance in your past where he is and will always be. You take it day-by-day because judging from the way that he’s looking over here, Robert cares about you. I saw that last night as well.” She smiled sweetly. “I’m a little jealous.”
“You have Nate. Don’t be silly,” I told her, going to make some more coffee while I had a free minute. I knew that it would make me jittery but I needed something. “Take your lunch. I’ll take care of the counter.”
“Are you sure?” Noel looked worried and I smiled brightly at her.
“Yes, of course. I got this.” She took a moment before pushing herself away from the counter and went back to make her sandwich. I didn’t see Nate, so I assumed that he wasn’t coming in today. Noel came out a few minutes later with a plate and gave me a curious look as she grabbed her coffee. “Go,” I urged her as she walked out to a table. I looked over the dining room to see that everyone was settled and then at the door, seeing a few customers walking in. I put a bright smile on my face as they approached me, not looking at Robert even though I felt him looking at me. He left a few minutes later and I waved at him as every woman that had seen our earlier exchange watched.
