Page 87 of October
Then, she squeezed Molly’s hand possessively.
“Um… I don’t mean to get involved or anything, but Ava’s sitting at the bar,” Logan said.
“Ava’s here?” Molly asked.
“Yeah, she’s over there.” Logan turned and nodded toward the bar.
Molly followed her eyes before she glanced at Finley and said, “Do you mind if I go talk to her for a second?”
“No, go for it,” she replied, hating that she felt jealous, but the feeling was there, and it remained there as Molly let go of her hand, stood, and headed over toward the bar.
“What can I get you?” Logan asked her.
“Um… I don’t know. Beer? Maybe one for Molls, too.”
“Sure. A local?”
“Yeah, whatever is fine,” Finley said, not really caring about her drink right now.
When Juliet and Gwen ordered their beverages as well, Logan walked off, and Finley tried to pretend like she wasn’t paying attention to Molly and Ava, who were still talking. She knew she and Molly hadn’t made this official between them, so Molly could talk to any woman she wanted to, and if she wanted to go on another date with Ava, she could do that, too, but Finley hoped they were headed toward exclusivity. Just the thought of Molly being with someone else made her feel sick, and that had to mean something.
“Sorry about that,” Molly said when she returned to the table.
“No problem,” she replied, playing it off. “I got you a beer. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s great. Thanks.” Molly reached for the beer that Logan had dropped off and took a long pull from the bottle. “I invited Ava over here to join us, if that’s okay. She just ran to the bathroom first,” she added.
“I haven’t spent much time with her, but she’s cool,” Gwen said.
“So, when are you picking up Wells?” Juliet asked.
“The puppy place lady is supposed to call me with a day and time,” Molly said. “But we got food tonight, some toys, and those puppy pad things.”
“And a raincoat,” Gwen added.
Molly laughed softly and said, “And a raincoat, yes.”
When Ava walked over to the table, she took a seat next to Gwen, which was surprising. Finley had expected her to sit on Molly’s other side. Instantly, she found Molly’s hand under the table again and entwined their fingers. Molly moved their joined hands into her own lap, and her thumb grazed Finley’s hand as if she was trying to tell Finley that it was all okay.
“How’s Michelle?” Finley asked.
“Who’s Michelle?” Gwen asked.
Ava laughed and replied, “I have no idea. I haven’t seen her since that night, and I hope I never do.”
“Who’s Michelle?” Juliet asked this time.
“I met her on an app, and we went for a drink here. It didnotgo well. These two were on a date and saw the whole thing, unfortunately.”
“We weren’t dating yet,” Finley said, wishing that she hadn’t.
Molly leaned over then and whispered into her ear, “It’s okay. I’m here with you. You can maybe let the blood flow back into my hand now.”
Finley looked down and realized that she had Molly’s hand in a tight grip. She let go and put her hand back in her lap.She hadn’t felt this jealous in years; maybe ever. Molly picked it back up and placed it back in her lap, which made Finley feel a little better. Then, Molly rested her head on her shoulder, and Finley smiled before she caught Ava’s eyes on them. Ava gave her a soft smile, surprising her again, but now wasn’t the time to try to figure this woman out because under the table, Molly’s hands were playing with Finley’s fingers as if she needed that to keep herself focused on the conversation. Finley wondered why, but she didn’t ask with the group chatting around them. Instead, she shifted her hand up higher on Molly’s thigh. Molly didn’t move or push her hand away, so Finley left it there. Minutes later, Candace had shot glasses in front of them that had a bluish liquid in them.
“Taste it first, and then I’ll tell you what’s in it.”
Finley downed the drink, and it tasted tropical. There was coconut in there for sure, and maybe a little pineapple. It was nice.
