Page 40 of Molly's Mr. Wrong
Twit.
Finn gathered up his materials as soon as class was over and headed for the door. Whatever was eating at Molly was none of his business...even though she’d met his eyes once, about midway through class, and somehow forgot to put her guard up. It was almost as if she had been seeking a connection with a kindred soul, and then as soon as it had happened, her expression had gone blank.
None of your business.
He was halfway across the parking lot when he changed his mind. Molly’s car was on the far end of the lot, mostly in the shadows, and even though it was Eagle Valley, Montana, he reversed course and headed back to the building.
Molly came out the main entrance, zipping her purse closed as she walked. She looked up, saw him coming toward her and stopped. “Is something wrong?”
“I thought I’d walk you to your car.”
“Because...?”
“It’s dark over there,” he said patiently.
Molly adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, then started down the concrete steps toward him. “Thank you.” The words were clipped. Polite. And the message was clear—back off.
Sure. No problem.
They’d made it about three yards before Finn asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I was just running late this evening.”
“Ah.” He focused on the ground a few feet in front of them as they walked. “Being late really puts you in a mood.”
“Denny puts me in a mood.”
“Denny puts everyone in a mood, but you weren’t upset about Denny when you arrived.”
They rounded the end of an oversize Ford truck and started crossing the last several yards to Molly’s car. “No,” she finally said. “I was upset at life.” She shot him a look. “You know—the annoying things that happen to all of us.”
“What annoying thing happened to you?”
Molly didn’t answer until they got to her car. She pulled her keys out of her pocket and beeped the locks open, then turned back to him, folding her arms. “You showed up at my office, all dark and defensive. You wouldn’t tell me your major. Wouldn’t accept the offer of weekly help, yet you feel as if you can dig into what’s now bothering me?”
Finn considered for a moment, then nodded. “Pretty much.”
Molly blew out a breath and turned toward her car. Finn put his hand on her shoulder almost before being aware of moving. She automatically stiffened and he instantly dropped his hand.
“I want to major in teaching.”
The amazed expression that chased across Molly’s face made Finn really and truly wish he’d kept his mouth shut.
“Not normal teaching,” he quickly amended.
“What kind of teaching?”
“Automotives. Shop.”
“Ah. CTE.”
“Uh...yeah. That.”
Molly hugged her arms around herself a little tighter, but she didn’t turn away from him. Didn’t get into her car and drive off. “Yet you bailed from my class at the first sign of trouble—a class you need. I had to talk you into coming back.”
“I was going to take the class again,” he replied. “From someone who...”
“Wasn’t me?”
