Page 42 of Molly's Mr. Wrong
“You’re going to coffee,” he reiterated. Not an orgy. “Maybe you should take Buddy.”
“No way.” Mike turned away from the mirror. “What if we don’t hit it off? I don’t want any of that cute kitten charm happening if I want to escape.”
“You’re right. Kitten effect is better on the second date.”
Mike gave a derisive snort, lifted his foot about an inch and waited for Buddy to tumble off and disappear again under the recliner before shrugging into his corduroy sports jacket. Finn had suggested that shirtsleeves were fine for coffee, especially since the day had turned unseasonably warm, but Mike seemed to think that a sports jacket showed more respect. Finn had simply nodded in agreement.
“Cal’s going to pay for this,” Mike muttered as he thumbed through the bills in his wallet.
“Literally or—” Finn stopped abruptly when Mike raised his eyes to glare at him before settling the wallet into his inner jacket pocket. Letting out a breath, Finn walked up to his grandfather, put a firm hand on each of his shoulders and said, “Relax.”
Mike’s mouth tightened briefly, then he did seem to relax as he exhaled. “You’re right. I’m being stupid. It’s just that...”
“You haven’t dated since Grandma?”
“Exactly.”
“Pretend she’s a guy.”
“Why would I be dressed up like this to have coffee with a guy?” Mike growled.
Finn spun his grandfather around toward the door. “Go. And I expect a full report when you get back.”
“A gentleman—”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t stay out too late.”
Finn settled his hands on his hips and let out a breath after Mike closed the door behind him. Buddy scooted out from under the chair looking for his prey and Finn scooped him up.
“Just the two of us, kiddo.”
The kitten’s eyes went a little wild and Finn set him back down, smiling as the little cat flattened his ears and humped up, crossing the floor in a series of threatening hops. In a matter of minutes, he’d tire himself out and then the two of them would hit the road, head for the shop where Finn planned to work on his ’72 Ford and be on call in case Mike had some kind of dating disaster. It was crazy after the sleepless nights he’d given his own folks, but he felt like a parent and he wanted things to go well for Mike and his mystery date.
* * *
“AH,THENOTEBOOK,”Georgina said as she came into the kitchen to pull a box of ginger snap cookies out of the cupboard.
“Yes, indeed,” Molly replied, closing the worn cover and smoothing her hand over it. The notebook had helped her keep firmly on track with her life since breaking up with Blake. On the advice of a fellow teacher in Arizona, she’d documented her fears and concerns about the future in the spiral bound book—listed them, then addressed them in writing, one by one. The simple exercise had helped her gain a sense of control over the seeming chaos of her life, spurred her on to write concrete life goals. Helped her define exactly what she needed in life to feel happy, successful and secure.
“Writing in it or revisiting?” Georgina asked as she sat on the opposite side of the kitchen table and dug into the box of cookies.
“A little of both. Just reminding myself of what I’m looking for and what I hope to achieve.”As well as what she was going to avoid.
The notebook had been buried in a box she’d yet to unpack after the move, but recent events had made her decide to dig it out. Get back on track.
Blake was coming to Montana and there wasn’t one thing she could do about it She’d made a note of that in the book a few minutes before and then reminded herself in writing that good things had come out of her relationship with Blake. She didn’t need to be tied up with resentment, but rather grateful for the experience. She now understood exactly what she did and did not want in a relationship. The bad thing was over and because of what she learned, she never had to go through it again.
So what if he sent flowers and attempted to call her? Eventually he’d find someone to take care of him—although none of his post-breakup girlfriends had lasted. They’d seen the light a lot faster than she had.
“Do you want to watchCSIwith me?” Georgina asked as she got back up from her seat. “I’m done studying for the night.”
Molly shook her head. “I have grading.”
“Suit yourself.” Georgina poured a glass of water, tucked the box of cookies under her arm and headed into the living room. A few seconds later the television came on and Molly pulled the stack of papers she’d pushed aside while writing in her notebook closer. But she didn’t pick up her pen.
Another reason she had the notebook out was to reinforce the fact that Finn didn’t fit into her plans—not even for a little while. She was so damned tempted by the man. Their discussion in the parking lot after class had left her feeling ridiculously on edge. She liked bantering with him and that was not a good sign.
Finally she shoved her grading aside and headed out the back door to get some air. The sun had set and it was getting dark outside, but she crossed the backyard to inspect the flower beds that Georgina had prepared with Mike’s help a few days ago. According to the diagram her sister had attached to the refrigerator, there would be daffodils, narcissus, crocus, tulips...hopefully not white ones. Molly pretty much hated white tulips now.
