Page 33 of Shocking Sapphires
“Don’t pick on the Jeep,” she warned me, but her tone was light as she bent down to kiss my cheek.
My eyes were magnetized to the hint of cleavage that her sexy, summery dress showed off. I wanted more kissing, but decided it was best to move inside before the small group of fans trying to catch a peek at us turned into an unruly crowd.
After handing her the giant bouquet of fresh flowers I’d ordered for her, I wheeled around and led her inside. Even though I wanted to get straight to our date, I sensed that she would want to see Scout first.
From his changing table, my son clapped at the sight of Molly. She’d been convinced there was no way he would remember her, but he instantly warmed to her the night we had talked at the lighthouse, and he was obviously thrilled to see her again tonight.
“Hi, sweet boy!” she greeted the delighted child.
Bonnie finished changing his diaper and handed him to Molly before efficiently taking the flowers, and promising to put them in water.
Molly kissed the top of Scout’s head and closed her eyes as she breathed in deep, obviously savoring the connection with him. It wasn’t long before Scout began squirming, wanting down, so she gently set him on the floor.
“The amount of time he’s willing to sit still for cuddles is getting shorter and shorter,” I told her, hoping she wasn’t hurt that he was crawling away from her.
“We have to savor whatever snuggles we can get from him.” She smiled as she watched him bang on his colorful, plastic telephone toy.
Bonnie returned to the room and shuffled us out, saying, “I’ll take excellent care of him. You two go enjoy your date.”
I hadn’t wanted things to become awkward by having our meal set up in my bedroom, so I led Molly to the inn’s patio. The staff had gone above and beyond with my request to spruce up the tiled area. It looked like a twinkling outdoor oasis with glittering string lights, candles, and brightly-colored seat cushions and tableware.
“Wow!” Molly sounded truly impressed as she took in the romantic atmosphere. With an ornery grin, she decided, “If we can’t have a great date out here on this perfect evening, then we clearly aren’t properly matched.”
Although I knew her words were meant as a compliment to the gorgeous setting and delightful, clear weather, they made my already parched throat become even drier. So much was riding on tonight’s date going well. My entire future depended on it.
Trying not to think about that as the sommelier poured us each a glass of crisp white wine, I cleared my throat and said, “Do you remember when I said that I already knew everything I wanted to know about you?”
Molly raised her eyebrows and answered, “Vividly.”
“Well, that was a lie. I want to know every tiny little detail about you.”
Her face lit up at my words before she asked, “Like what?”
“Everything,” I answered before launching into a barrage of questions without giving her time to answer. “What is your zodiac sign? Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi? What’s your favorite color? Do you have any shoes besides Converses? What is your middle name? Have you always lived in Brunswick Bay Harbor? What is your favorite children’s movie?”
She laughed at the flurry of questions before saying, “Slow down, cowboy. I’m a Scorpio, and I usually throw kick-ass Halloween parties to celebrate my birthday. I rarely drink soda, but when I do, it’s Moxie, like the true Mainer that I am. I love bright green.” She angled her head toward the street where her Jeep was parked and added, “Obviously.”
She paused for a moment before continuing, “I can’t imagine why anyone would ever wear anything other than Converses––the most comfortable and fashionable shoes on the planet––exceptmaybefor attending weddings and funerals. I’m trying to expand my collection to include every color of the rainbow. They really do go with everything.”
I smiled at that, but let her go on without interrupting as our salad plates were presented to us.
“My middle name is Marie. I moved down to Portland for college, but I couldn’t wait to return. This quaint little town is and always will be home. My favorite children’s movie isThe Tiny Mermaid. I love the music and underwater scenes, but I wish the main character didn’t give up her family, friends, and her entire life as a mermaid just for a boy.”
I nodded as I picked at my salad, appreciating her complete and thoughtful answers to my long string of questions.
She leaned forward to ask, “What else you got?”
Thoroughly enjoying myself, I said, “Tell the truth… You missed Scout more than me, didn’t you?”
“Oh, no contest,” she nodded, not caring that she was denting my ego.
I was thrilled that she loved my son so much, but I needed to find a way to make her care that much about me.
My eyes darted to hers when she added, “And that’s saying a lot because I was miserable without you.”
“Me too,” I answered, my voice gravelly with emotion.
After taking a sip from her wine glass, Molly asked me, “Do you have any more questions for me?”
