Page 17 of Rekindled

“I guess he really didn’t want anyone to get dessert,” Spencer observed.

A laugh escaped Molly as her eyes grew round with mirth. She placed her hand over her mouth to try to muffle it. “Right? I can’t believe how he just decided for everyone.”

Spencer shook his head, disgusted by the bad behavior of the other man. “Is he always like that?”

Molly shrugged. “We’ve only been dating a couple of months. He can be assertive, and he tends to want things a certain way, but his attitude has been pretty awful on this trip. I’ve honestly been put off by it.”

“I guess you really get to know people when you travel with them.”

“It seems that way,” Molly agreed.

Spencer didn’t want to talk about Rick anymore. As he watched Molly, all he wanted to do was reach out and kiss her. He fought the urge, and instead said, “You look really beautiful tonight.”

“Don’t waste your charm on me,” Molly stated with a roll of her eyes. “I quit being susceptible to it ten years ago.”

“Nothing is wasted on you,” Spencer stated in a steely voice. He leaned across the table, and added, “You should be told your beautiful often, and thoroughly.”

Molly’s cheeks turned red as she shifted in her seat. Her eyes met his as she whispered, “Why did you have to say that?”

“Because I meant it,” he said as he reached out to touch her hand.

Rick came back at the exact moment. The irritation from earlier was gone and was replaced with fury. He reached out and pulled Molly up by her arm. “I think it’s time for us to go.”

Molly pulled away with a shocked expression as she asked, “What’s wrong, Rick?”

“Why don’t you ask him?” Rick accused as he gestured towards Spencer.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” Spencer said, coming to his feet, “but you should calm down before you go anywhere.”

“Don’t tell me what I should do,” Rick barked out, as he crossed his arms. “I’m not about to let that happen after I catch you putting the moves on my girlfriend.”

Molly gasped. “Rick, what are you talking about?”

“I saw the two of you just now; not to mention how he has been looking at you all night. When we came here, you made it sound like he was just an old friend, but I’m beginning to think there’s more to it than that.”

“There’s nothing going on between us,” Molly denied as she reached out and touched Rick’s arm.

He yanked free from her grasp and glared at her. “I won’t be played for a fool.”

“That’s not what’s happening,” she said, “let’s just get out of here.”

Spencer watched as they turned to head towards the exit. Over her shoulder, Molly mouthed the words, ‘I’m sorry.’

A few minutes later, the server arrived with the pie and two coffees. She glanced around, then asked, “Where did they go?”

“Can I just get the check, please?”

The server nodded, placing the items on the table before scurrying off.

Spencer realized that Rick wasn’t as big a fool as he first thought. He had recognized correctly that there was something between Spencer and Molly. The question was, did Rick have a strong enough pull on Molly to keep her from seeing Spencer again. If that happened, if he never saw Molly again, could Spencer live with that?

As he headed to his car, the truth sank deep into his heart. He hated the idea of never spending time with Molly again.

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