Page 99 of October
“No, but if you’re looking for something else, it might be a place to meet someone.”
“I’m not really looking to meet someone at some backyard barbecue, Fin.” India shook her head and smiled. “But I don’t have any good plans today. Are you sure it’s okay with Molly?”
“I’m sure it’s fine. We all work together, and she knows I’m withher. Besides, it’ll be a dozen or more people, so my thought was even if you don’t meet someone to date there, you might make some more of those friends you want.”
“Are you trying to offload me on other friends now, too?”
“I’ve got some baggage, India. You and I were in this thing for a long time, and I don’t know that I can just jump into a friendship with you, especially one where we’re alone together. I’m with Molly now, so nothing would happen, but last time you were at my place, after you promised you were only there to pick your stuff up, you tried to kiss me, and–”
“I know.” India looked down at the sidewalk. “I know. And I’m still really sorry about that. Do I need to apologize to Molly, too? I will. I was an idiot.”
“I don’t think so personally, but that’s up to you. I know you’re trying. I’m just not sure that I can trust you fully yet.”
“So, this backyard thing is a test or something?”
“Not a test,” Finley said. “It’s a chance for you to meet some new people and see if you like any of them. In time, I think we can be friends, but things are still so new with Molly and me; I don’t want to risk that. I don’t want any confusion about what I want.”
“Or whom?” India guessed.
“Yes.”
“Okay. Well, if you think she’ll be okay with it, then, yeah, I think I’d like to give it a try.”
“I’ll text you the address when I get it.”
“What kind of wine should I bring as a hostess gift?”
“None,” Finley told her with a laugh. “It’s a barbecue. Bring beer.”
“Beer? Gross,” India replied. “Something else, please.”
“Fine. Go to the store and buy a few of those premade pasta salads or something. Everyone loves those things.”
“You want me to buy premade pasta salad from a grocery store? Are you crazy? I don’t know how old that stuff is. What if people get sick?”
“No one is getting sick.” Finley laughed. “Get a few of those, and if you really want, bring a fruit tray or something, too.”
“A tray? Like, buythat, too?”
Finley laughed and said, “Yes, they make them for you. All you have to do is pay for it.”
“I’ll bring fruit, but I’m slicing it up myself and putting it on my tray. No pasta salad, Finley.”
“Whatever you want. I’ll see you around two.”
“Okay. Hey, Fin?” India asked when Finley started to walk past her.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for this.”
Finley nodded and went on her way. She responded to Molly’s text, and after getting home, she hopped into the shower, taking her second one of the day but needing it after her long walk. She still had no idea how to bring things up with Molly, and that was after many practice conversations she’d had with her in her head. At a barbecue, they would at least be around other people instead of alone right away. Finley could use the warm-up to, hopefully, help them go back to being how they were with one another before last night.
???
“Hey, babe,” Finley greeted when she got out of her car and saw Molly doing the same on the other side of the residential street.
“Hi,” Molly replied with a cautious smile.
