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He gave an exaggerated sigh. “Sorry. I know I’m pushing my luck, but I can’t help it. Are you sure you don’t want to head home? I can close up. You know I can.”
Molly shook her head. “I do and thanks. It’s not that I don’t want to leave you in charge; it’s more that I don’t want to go home just yet.”
“Okay. Whatever you say.” He carried on his way to the kitchen, reminding Molly that she’d been headed that way herself.
When she stepped inside, she watched him joking around with the sous-chef. Grady had done a lot for the working atmosphere here at Molly’s. He was like a ray of sunshine. She gave herself a shake and got busy.
When she went back out, she made her way over to the table where her friends were sitting. Chelsea grinned at her. “Why don’t you take a break? Come join us for a drink. I’m sure Grady can handle things.”
“Thanks, but I’m sure I can, too.”
Mary Ellen raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Do I look ill or something? Everyone wants to know what’s up with me tonight, and as far as I know, there isn’t anything.”
Cameron smiled at her. “Take it easy, Moll. We just wish we got to hang out with you more. I thought you’d step back a bit when you brought Grady in, but you haven’t yet.”
“Yes, I have. I take Mondays off. I’ve taken quite a few Saturday afternoons to hang out with you ladies.” She looked around at Chelsea, Mary Ellen, and Piper. “I came wedding dress shopping. I even went to Summer Lake with you.”
“Yeah, but we want more,” said Chelsea with a grin.
“If you’re not going to let Grady step up and run the place, you might as well let him go,” said Antonio.
Molly tried to hide her smile. Antonio had made no secret of the fact that he didn’t like Grady—or at least he didn’t like him working here. “I’m not going to get rid of him. He’s been a great help so far.”
Antonio scowled but didn’t say anything.
“I’d better get back to it. Are you all taken care of?”
They all muttered their agreement and Molly left them to take care of her other tables. They were her friends, and she loved them, but she didn’t really relish the thought of sitting there with the three happy couples. Cameron and Piper were getting married next weekend—now they’d finally made all their wedding arrangements in Summer Lake. Chelsea and Grant were still considering their options, and their conversation usually involved discussing exotic locations for a beach wedding. And Antonio and Mary Ellen had been married for six months now—and were still adorably besotted with each other. She felt like a spare part when she hung out with the six of them.
She looked around. Everything was under control; there was no need for her to be here, but she couldn’t make herself leave either. She stepped out back and looked up at the stars twinkling above. She had to wonder if Marcos was looking up at the same stars from somewhere. She didn’t even know where he was. Antonio would tell her in a heartbeat if she asked him, but she didn’t want to. She’d told him that she didn’t want to hear about his brother. She couldn’t torture herself like that. Neither of them had made any promises when they’d talked at Antonio and Mary Ellen’s wedding. All they’d done was agree that the door was still open to the possibility. He’d wanted to come back here—someday he would, but it might not be for another ten years. She couldn’t allow herself to think about him in the meantime. At least, not too often. The occasional lapse like this was okay—not ideal, but okay.
She’d tried to convince herself that she wasn’t putting her life on hold in the hope that he’d come back and that somehow, they’d work things out. Most of the time she succeeded. That would be a fool’s game. She told herself over and over again that if someone else came along in the meantime, she’d be open to starting another relationship—that she wouldn’t pass up a bird in the hand. It was a lie though. If it were true, she would have agreed to go out with Grady—even though he worked for her.
As if summoned by thoughts, he poked his head around the back door. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’d be fine if you’d stop checking on me. How about you act like I left? You can be in charge. You can close up, but I don’t have to leave.”
He gave her a puzzled look and stepped outside to join her. “Sure. I can do that. No problem. But first—tell me if there’s something wrong?”
She shook her head. “Really. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. I have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
“Do you want to go for a drink when we get finished? I can be a friend, listen to whatever you need to get off your chest.”
She had to smile. He never stopped trying. Maybe she should say yes. He would make a good friend—he already was one, except for the fact that he’d like to be more.
The door swung open behind him, and Antonio stood there with a scowl on his face. Molly was sure that he must look intimidating to another guy—to Grady—but she’d known him since they were kids. His angry Italian act didn’t faze her.
“What’s up?”
He scowled at her. “I was just checking you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, thanks. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Antonio folded his arms across his chest and glared at Grady. “I saw him follow you out here.”
Molly blew out a sigh. She knew full well what his problem was. He wanted her and Marcos to get back together almost as much as she did—perhaps a little more.
