Page 77 of October
“I’ll be there,” Molly replied.
India walked toward the elevators, leaving Finley there with Molly.
“She just wanted to see the new store. That’s all we were talking about, Molls.”
“I know,” Molly said. “And I think I’ve made you scared that you can’t even talk to her anymore without me reading into it. I’m sorry for that, Finley. I don’t know what kind of relationship you want to have with India after your breakup, but if it’s friendship, I’m sorry for making you worry about how I’ll handle you two talking at work.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. I don’t know if India and I can be friends, but I think I’d like to try it eventually, if she’s up for it. Right now, though, I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable or worried.”
Molly shrugged and said, “But that’s on me; it’s my stuff to work through, and I’m going to. I called my mom just now. That’s why I was outside. I’ve been walking around the block for an hour, asking her questions about Dad and me growing up. Ever since I lost him, it’s almost like I’ve been trying to take his place. I’ve been getting more and more anxious with things that didn’t used to bother me at all or, at least, not very much. I think finding out that you actually liked me back was this thing I never thought would happen, and it’s been hard to deal with, but that’s not because of anythingyou’vedone, Finley. I’ve got my insecurities about this, but you’ve done everything right.” Mollysmiled at her. “India even said you jumped when she tried to kiss you. Like, literally jumped off the sofa.”
“I did.” Finley chuckled.
“So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? What for, Molls?”
“Yesterday. And I want to go out with you, Fin. I’ve just wanted it so much for so long that I’m getting all up in my head about it.”
“Can you just not pull away if it happens again? It’s okay if it does, Molly. I get it. It’s scary, meeting someone who just feels right, so you doubt it because nothing’s ever been like it before, but I think that’s a good thing. I just need to know that if you’re feeling that way, you’ll talk to me and not pull away. Or, if you have to pull away, you’ll–”
“What?”
“You’ll come back,” she said. “I’m not sure if that’s fair for me to ask; it’s been a couple of dates. But I like you, and I understand why you’d worry about India and me. We have a pattern, and you’ve witnessed it over and over from your desk. I know it probably feels like you’re part of that pattern right now, but you’re not. I–”
“I know, Fin,” Molly said. “I know. I trust you. Hell, I even trustIndianow.”
“You do?” Finley asked, surprised. “Did I wake up in an alternate universe this morning?”
“I don’t think we’re going to be best friends anytime soon, but we talked this morning.”
“You talked to her? Or, she talked to you?”
“A little bit of both.” Molly shrugged a shoulder. “She told me she gets it now; that she needs to move on because you’re dating someone else. Well, me. She said you’ve never done that before, and she should have figured it out that it meant something.”
“Itdoesmean something,” Finley replied. “And if she said that, I’m glad to hear it because I don’t want to hurt her. India is a good person. She and I were just oil and water, and not in that good, opposites-attract way. I guess we were in the beginning, but we haven’t been that way in a long time, and I know that because when I’m with you, Molls, it’s like it just makes sense to me. We don’t haveeverythingin common, but some stuff, and you’ll go to the things I like, and you know I’ll do the same for you. I don’t think I’ve had that before, even with my girlfriends before India. All those things about yourself that you’re struggling with, they’re the things that just make you… you; the things that I like so much, Molls. I’ll buy you gallons of ketchup if you want, if it means you’ll trust that I want you and not India.”
Molly laughed and said, “I was coming over here to give you a speech about being an idiot and working through my stuff, and you had to give methatone and upstage me?”
“Sorry?” she asked and tilted her head.
“Will you go out with me tonight?” Molly asked.
“Yes.”
“Yes? Just yes? You don’t want to think about it or take a little time because of what I just put you through?”
“No, I don’t need time. And yes, let’s go out tonight.”
“I’m still a pain in the ass. I can’t fix it that quickly.”
Finley chuckled and said, “I don’t need you to fix anything. I like you, remember? I want you to be happy, though, and if you’ve got stuff to work through, I can maybe just be there while you do.”
“Ugh! Stop being so perfect,” Molly replied, obviously teasing. “You make it harder when you do that.”
Finley smiled at her and said, “I’d kiss you right now, but we’re–”
“Not in the server room?” Molly finished for her.
