Page 61 of Molly's Mr. Wrong
“I’m a high school student taking a college class.”
“The grade of which will go on your college transcript. College. There will be no notation that you were a high school student at the time and got a break because of it.”
“I bethegets breaks.”
Molly’s blood went cold. “Excuse me?”
“I think you understand my meaning.” Jonas snatched the paper up from her desk and strode out of the room without a backward glance. Molly stared at the empty doorway, and then pressed her palm against her forehead. Finn wasn’t the only one who sometimes had difficulty keeping his cool. But this was her job and she wouldn’t let the Jonases of the world ruin it.
* * *
AFTERLEAVINGMOLLYto deal with Jonas the mini asshole, Finn helped Lola close down the store, then picked up barbecue tri-tip, coleslaw and rolls at the local market and drove over to Mike’s place with his dinner. His grandfather was doing better. The shock had worn off and he was putting on a braver face. Buddy trotted along behind him, attacking his pant leg and his shoes, making Mike smile at a time when he probably didn’t feel like smiling, and Finn knew in his heart that giving Mike full custody was the best move. Even though he was going to miss his little feline friend.
“Are you coming to the store tomorrow?”
“Probably. Elaine and I are going to lunch.” Mike met Finn’s gaze, his expression solemn, still a little bemused. “I kind of thought losing two people close to me was enough for one lifetime.”
“I know.” Finn knew his grandfather meant two untimely losses and he didn’t bother with platitudes. “Just know that I’m here with you. And Dylan and Jolie will be back shortly. We’ll tackle this together.”
“Thanks.” Mike bent down to scoop up Buddy and headed for his chair.
“Are you staying for dinner?”
“I ate a sandwich a little bit ago, but I’ll sit with you while you eat?”
“To tell you the truth, I’m not that hungry right now.”
“But you will eat.”
Mike gave him a weary nod. “Yes.”
“You want me to stay and watch television with you?”
“I want you to go home and work on your Ford.”
Finn gave his grandfather a long look. “Go,” Mike repeated. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Finn headed out the door, doing his best to tamp down his frustration at the new difficulties his grandfather faced, at least until he was outside the house. As he walked down the steps, Molly approached the fence separating her property from Mike’s. She looked tired yet friendly. Amazing what a shared coffee could do.
“Hey,” he said. “Did you beat that kid to a pulp?”
“Did my best. He’s pretty bulletproof.” Molly gave him a dark smile but her face was still set in tense lines as she added, “His parents donated land to the school, you know.”
“Very important people.”
“Important people annoy me.” She dropped her hand from the top of the fence. How’s Mike?”
“Doing okay.” Finn shifted his weight and glanced over Molly’s head at her house as he debated, then back at her. “You want to go beat some metal?”
The look on her face made him feel like laughing. He managed not to.
“That isn’t a euphemism for...anything? I mean...you’re not getting parking lot ideas again?”
Now he did laugh. “I’m talking actual metal hammering.”
“For what purpose?”
He sauntered forward a step, closer to the fence, closer to Molly. Yes. He could smell what he now thought of as Molly scent. Sweet. A little floral. A little citrus. It made him want to bury his nose in her hair and breathe deeply. He’d probably get smacked in the process...
