Page 81 of A Billionaire for Christmas
‘Freeds. You’ve nailed it!’ Lucca said with his mouth crammed full. ‘You’ve found your true calling.’
Freda was beaming. ‘Do you really think so? I mean, I do love the restaurant business. Who doesn’t like to eat out every night?’
‘There’s a bit more to it than that,’ chimed in Molly as she flitted around collecting plates, refilling dishes.
Freda gasped. ‘I could help you run your restaurant. If you’ll let me. I have a business degree. I’m sure I could put it to good use.’ She looked pleadingly at Molly.
In that moment, Freda reminded Molly of Ava. Bubbling over with enthusiasm. Was she ready to open herself up to new friendships and a new business partner?
Closing her eyes and taking a calming breath, Molly heard herself saying, ‘Okay. Sure. Why not?’
Freda shrieked with joy as Molly put the dishes down on the table, her body trembling. ‘But I can’t pay you for a while. Not until my funds are released and we get some business in.’
Lucca wiped his lips. ‘I can help you there. Who do you need?’
Molly shrugged. ‘I’ve always dreamed of getting endorsement from the Bisette sisters but they’re impossible to get hold of. Ava and I tried for years.’
‘Sophie and Magda?’ Lucca said, whipping out his phone. He tapped a few buttons and handed it to her. She could hear it making a call. ‘Do it now.’
Molly thought she was going to die. She was about to speak to her culinary icons. Everyone listened silently as Molly took the phone with shaking hands and, somehow, managed to explain who she was and ask whether the Bisette sisters would be interested in giving her a chance to show them what she was capable of. Sophie Bisette agreed to visit the restaurant in the coming months. She instructed her to get back in touch, and that any friend of Lucca LeRoux’s was a friend of theirs.
‘Oh. My. God. Lucca, thank you so much,’ Molly whispered, giving him the phone back.
Levi slapped him on the back. ‘Who knew you were so well connected?’
‘You would, bro, if you’d only hang out with me a bit more than once a year.’
‘Fair point,’ said Levi sheepishly.
‘Okay, what do we need to do now, Molly?’ Freda said, wiping her hands on her apron just like she’d seen Molly do. ‘Looks like we have a restaurant to save.’
They all stopped eating to look at Molly. She reached into her pocket and laid the list flat on the table, smoothing it out with her hand. Seconds later, they were all howling with laughter.
* * *
As she was about to clear away the breakfast plates, the first of the challenges was almost ready to be ticked off.
‘Sorry, what was that, Molly?’ Levi asked, grinning at her.
Molly repeated herself.
‘Molly,’ laughed Freda. ‘Would you like some more pancakes?’
Molly felt her cheeks burning as she responded.
‘What is happening?’ asked Toby, walking in late and eyeing the pancakes eagerly. ‘Molly, why are you barking? What’s going on?’
Poor me, thought Molly as Lucca’s eyes widened mischievously. He waved the list around, laughing. ‘Molly, you absolute sweetheart. I’ve always admired you, Molly. So, which one do you want to tick off next, Molly?’
Molly barked repeatedly. ‘Can everyone stop saying my name, please?’
This made everyone say her name even more until Levi, choking with laughter, ticked it off the list. ‘Where’s the journal? I’ll do a witness signature. Toby, can you take a photo of us round the table, please?’
‘I think Ava and I would have got along very well,’ said Freda, looking down the list. ‘She sounds really good fun. You must miss her.’
Molly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ‘Every single day.’
‘Let’s eat up and crack on,’ said Levi, taking the piece of paper in his hands. ‘I think we can combine a few of these. And to be fair, you’ve done most of the really hard ones already.’
