Page 86 of Molly's Mr. Wrong
“They’re together because of me, you know.” Cal beamed like a proud parent.
“Good job,” Georgina said.
“Yeah,” Cal agreed. “I wish they didn’t have this health challenge ahead of them, but at least Elaine’s not facing it alone. She has us.”
And that was true.
The dinner was excellent—steaks, side dishes, homemade ice cream and pies. Molly ate until she was full, then ate some more. Elaine started cleaning up and Mike tried to stop her, but she waved him off. He opened his mouth as if to try again, then seemed to change his mind. Molly got to her feet and went into the house under the pretext of using the restroom, but instead intercepted Elaine in the kitchen.
“I’m going to help and you aren’t going to stop me.” She turned on the water in the sink as if to emphasize the point.
“You can help,” Elaine said. “I just don’t want Mike to be doing everything for me.”
Molly smiled a little. “I can take care of that.” She pulled out a phone and sent a text to Georgina that saidWe’re doing dishes. Mike’s not invited.
A few minutes later Georgina and Allie showed up at the back door, each carrying two serving dishes in each hand.
“Jolie stayed to manage Mike. She’s better at it than the rest of us,” Allie said.
“Who would have thought doing dishes could be fun?” Georgina remarked ten minutes later as she finished wiping the counters. She went outside to help Allie clean the picnic table and grill while Elaine stood with her hands on her hips, studying Jolie and the guys parked under the tree.
“I’m impressed she was able to keep Mike in check.”
“He’s driving you crazy?” Molly asked gently.
Elaine turned her gaze toward her. “He’s the best guy, but...now that I’m sick, he treats me as if I’ll break. He does everything for me, but he won’t touch me.”
“Ow.”
Elaine’s eyebrows went up. “No kidding. I’m doing my best to convince him that I’m not my disease. That I’m still me. We haven’t been together for that long, but it feels like forever and I need more...contact than I’m getting.” She blinked a couple of times and looked away, but not before Molly saw the moisture clinging to her eyelashes. “Sorry to vent. More than you wanted to hear, no doubt.”
“Honestly... I don’t blame you for being irked.”
“Mike’s hardheaded, but if I keep hammering away, maybe I’ll get through.” She let out a small snort. “Keeps me from thinking about my treatment, so maybe it’s all good.” She glanced over at Molly, then back out at the men under the tree. “Forgive me for saying that it’s interesting to see how things have changed between you and Finn since the last time we spoke in this very kitchen.”
Yes...that awesome conversation that Finn had overhead. Today she was going to set the record straight before moving on to safer topics.
“They haven’t changed that much,” she said. “We’re friendlier than before, but still just friends.”
“Do you honestly believe that?”
Molly narrowed her eyes at her former science teacher. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve made a career out of reading people. I had to for survival. Trust me, Finn isn’t looking at you like a friend.”
Molly’s stomach tightened at the woman’s adamant tone. She moistened her lips and tried again. “We know each other well...”
Another cocked eyebrow, and Molly gave up. She followed Elaine’s gaze out to where Finn was sitting next to his grandfather and pressed her lips together. It wasn’t fair of her to string Finn along if he wanted more than she could give.
Did he?
Why wouldn’t he be happy with a mutually beneficial relationship that didn’t involve the prospect of a broken heart?
She’d so thought they were on the same page. She glanced over at Elaine.
“Are you sure?”
“All I can do is tell you what gut instinct tells me. That boy likes you.”
