Page 8 of From London, With Love

I look blankly at him, so he presses on.

“Molly has recently started teaching at Winnie’s school, and she recognised your brother at pick up yesterday. The two of them had a quick catch-up and the topic of your relationship status came up.”

I groan inwardly, retaining the blank expression on my face.?

“Any who, Molly seemed quite interested in hearing about the grown-up Carter once Teddy mentioned you hadn’t. She gave him her number in the hopes you’d contact her if you were interested in seeing her.”

Molly is beautiful, there’s no denying that. She was one of those cute children youknewwould grow up to be something remarkable. That’s where my knowledge of her ends. I haven’t known Molly since we were children. I only know what she looks like because of the handy little thing that is social media.

Being well known in the media, whilst beneficial for my law career at the time, has its downfalls. I have women throw themselves at me all the time, but it’s only ever really for onereason: money. This is partly why I haven’t bothered to form anything real these past few years. You can never truly tell if someone is interested in you as a person or what your bank account holds.

Annette is a lovely woman, and I imagine anyone raised by her would be nothing less. Do I really have anything to lose by agreeing to a date with Molly?

“I’ll have Teddy pass on her number,” I say in a somewhat resigned tone and hope he doesn’t catch it.

My father almost jumps from his seat as he rips his phone from his trouser pocket. “Oh, this is excellent! I must tell your mother.”

“Calm down, old man, you’ll give yourself a heart attack.”

This earns me a well-deserved slap to the shoulder. I flash him a megawatt smile in return.

“You can be such a pest sometimes, Carter.”

Still beaming at Dad, I rest my elbows on the table, placing my chin against my clasped hands. “I know.”

The waitress who served our food returns to clear our table. We say our thanks and pay before heading towards the door. My father places a hand on my shoulder as we walk. The bell chimes once more as we exit onto the street, and my dad receives a text as we begin wandering down the footpath. He looks up at me with a sad smile. “Son, I’ll have to cut this morning short. That’s your mother saying she’s arrived at Annette's.”

Pulling each other in for a quick hug, we say our goodbyes. As my father’s figure retreats down a cobblestone street, my phone pings in from within my pocket.

I chuckle to myself as I read the incoming message.

Big Ted

Excellent choice, brother.

The message is accompanied by a number. I should’ve known Dad would get to him before I had a chance. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at Teddy’s message.

Fuck it, I’ve got nothing to lose.

Me

Hey Molly, it’s Carter Lawrence. If you’re not busy on Saturday morning, perhaps we could grab a coffee?

I hit send before I can change my mind. As I go to put my phone in my pocket once more, the text tone sounds again.

Molly

Hey Cart, so lovely to hear from you! I’m free Saturday; it’s a date x

I take a deep breath.

I have a date on Saturday.

This is a good thing, right?

Chapter 4

Lara

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