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“To town?It’s basically one street,” Jenny replied, amused.“You can’t get lost.It’s what’s great and what’s terrible about this place.I’ll show you the way.Molly’s is only around the corner and down fromCake Away.”
She led us down a few residential streets before making a turn that suddenly opened up into main street.I could see the bakery from here, realizing I’d been taking the long way this whole time.
She led us along the pavement and to an unassuming stone building with two big windows sheltered by a gray awning that read MOLLY’S.
The door was open and we could hear rock music from inside, punctuated by laughter and the click of pool balls.A neon sign in the left window read BAR IS OPEN, and below that COME ON IN.
So, we did.
I held the door for Jenny, performing a funny little bow for her.She giggled.I was in a much better mood than the one I’d started the evening in.I was starting to learn that Jenny had that effect on people.She was a bright light in any room.
I was envious of Jess, who got to live next door to her all the time.I didn’t know half the people in my building in London.
The bar sat directly to our left as we walked in, and a woman in her mid-fifties with shoulder length curly hair, wearing a “100% THAT BITCH” tee nodded to us and smiled.“Hey, Jen,” she called.
Jenny grabbed my hand.“Molly!This is Maddie Liu.She’s Jess’ cousin from across the pond.”
“I’m helping my Aunt Laurie to run the bakery,” I explained.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Molly drawled.“Welcome to Redwing Falls.What can I get you?First one’s on the house.”
“Well, that’s very kind, but—”
“We’ll have shots!”Jenny exclaimed.
Molly raised her eyebrows.“Moms gone wild, huh?”she muttered at me.
I grinned.Similar to Jenny, Molly was impossible not to like.“Jenny’s first night out in a while.”
Molly poured the shots without measuring and nodded at a point over Jenny’s shoulder.“Might not wanna go full wild just yet, Jen.Your brother’s here.”
Jenny paused with the shot glass halfway to her mouth.“Balls.”She looked over.I followed her gaze across the wooden floor of the bar andholy shit.
Rick was bent over one of the three pool tables here.I recognised his ass in those jeans.No one had an ass that good, not that I made a habit of gawping at men’s backsides in London, but sometimes it was nice to look.
The denim molded to him in a way that made me want to find out if it was painted on.
He took his shot, sinking a ball like he could do it blindfolded, and maybe he could, then he straightened up, leaning on his cue.The line of his back and shoulders was obscene in the gray Henley he wore, the sleeves rolled up to show off tanned forearms.
I swallowed, reliving my earlier fantasy of Rick railing me in the bakery, his gaze hot on mine, his hands cupped under my butt as he—
“Earth to Maddie?”
I jerked out of my reverie to find Jenny and Molly looking at me withwe know what you’re thinkingexpressions.
“Best ass in town,” Molly said, like she was reading a fact from an encyclopedia.
“I wasn’t looking,” I blurted out, but my face felt very hot.
Great job, Maddie.
Jenny linked her arm through mine.“Well, we might as well go say hi, then we can get on with letting our hair down.”With her other hand, she tossed back the shot of alcohol.“C’mon, drink yours.”
It was sharp, and it burned all the way down.I set it on the bar and thanked Molly.
“Another?”she asked, bottle poised.
“No.No, thanks.”
