AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nah. I’m just a jerk who got lucky when he met the right woman.”
“Not true. You lost your way for a while, that’s all. It just took the right woman to help you get back on track. You’ve never been a jerk; you’re one of life’s good guys.”
“Right back atcha. I need to go, but keep your phone with you. Laura will be calling you any minute.”
“Thanks.”
By the time he drove into town to pick Molly up from work, Marcos felt like everything was finally coming together. He’d spoken with Laura, and then they’d done a video call so she could show him some design ideas. He was confident that she understood what he wanted and that she’d make something even more beautiful than he could imagine. He was all set to go and see Molly’s dad on Thursday, and Ken had everything under control with the purchase of the Hardy estate. It looked as though it should be a quick and straightforward purchase.
He pulled into the staff parking lot behind Molly’s and let himself in through the back door. He stopped on his way past the office, not wanting to believe what he was hearing. It was Grady’s voice. “You have to tell him you can’t do it anymore. Promise me you’ll do it soon. This is driving me crazy. You have to leave him.”
Marcos’ heart was racing. He shouldn’t be listening. It was obviously a private conversation, but part of him was convinced that Grady was talking to Molly, and he had to hear what she was going to say.
Instead, Grady spoke again. “I want you to come and live with me.”
Marcos sucked in a deep breath and his fists balled at his sides. This couldn’t be happening.
He looked up as the door from the dining room swung open and Andrea, one of the servers, came through. She smiled when she saw him. “Molly’s just stepped out. Do you want to take a seat at the bar and I’ll come get you a drink?”
He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Had Molly stepped inside the office with Grady? Were the two of them making a plan for their future together, while letting him believe that Molly’s future was with him? He stalked down the corridor and went to sit at the bar.
Andrea gave him a puzzled look as she poured the whiskey he asked for. “Are you okay? Had a bad day?”
He shook his head. His day had been going wonderfully until he arrived here.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“Tell Molly I’d like a word when she gets done in there.”
Andrea dropped her gaze. Did she know there was something going on between Molly and Grady? Was she covering up for them? His heart was pounding in his chest. This couldn’t be happening.
“There she is.”
He turned to follow Andrea’s gaze. Molly was coming back from the bathroom, not the office. He had to wonder how she’d gotten there.
A smile lit up her face when she saw him. She came straight to him and kissed his cheek. “There you are. I’ve missed you.”
She looked tired—was she tired of hiding a secret from him?
“Where’s Grady?”
She gave him a puzzled look. “And I thought you came here to see me. He’s in the back, I think, why?”
“Where were you?”
“In the bathroom. Why?”
He clamped his jaw shut. He knew he was making a huge leap to a ridiculous conclusion. He didn’t want to say anything. Not yet. If he were wrong, then he’d blow everything. If he was right … If he was right, he didn’t even want to think about it, but he’d need time to deal with what it meant.
“Marcos?” She put her hand on his arm. “Something’s wrong. I know it is. Tell me?”
He shook his head. “Sorry. I’ll be fine. How are you?”
She dropped her gaze. She looked guilty about something. Maybe she didn’t. Maybe it was just him seeing her guilt in every word and gesture.
“I’m okay. Not wonderful, but okay. I need to tell you something.”
His head buzzed with tension; he felt like it might explode. If she was about to tell him that she was choosing Grady instead of him, he didn’t know what he’d do. He couldn’t stand it.
