Page 30 of October
“Your girlfriend?” Michelle asked.
“Uh… No.” Molly shook her head. “Friends.”
“We should let them get back to their meal,” Ava said.
“Finley, that’s a cool name,” Michelle noted and aimed all of her attention at Finley.
Molly wanted to growl, but she held it in.
“I guess, yeah. My mom gave it to me, so I can’t take credit.”
Then, Michelle sat down next to Finley in the booth.
“Michelle, we can–” Ava tried.
“So, what are you two up to tonight?”
Ava gave her an apologetic glance, and Molly motioned for her to just sit down next to her because this perfect day couldn’t actually end perfectly. That would be too much to ask, apparently, and she hadn’t earned enough karma points to be able to drop Finley off at her house or apartment and drive herself home to leave a novel of a text message on Juliet’s phone about how amazing her day with Finley had been and how she wanted another one just like it, except the day in her fantasy would’ve ended with Finley in her bed or her in Finley’s.
“We went to the Saints’ game,” Finley said.
“Oh. Football? I hate football. Too violent. Not really into any sports, though.” Michelle shrugged a shoulder.
The waitress approached with their drinks and set them down.
“We should let you get back to your drinks,” Ava said, trying again to get Michelle to realize that this was awkward.
“What are you doing after this?” Michelle asked Finley.
“Michelle…” Ava said.
“What? I thought we might all go out dancing or something. This place is fine for a quick drink, but it’s not a real bar. They’re playing classic rock in here.”
“Molly and I are going to have dinner,” Finley replied.
“Yeah, but after that?” Michelle asked.
Molly waited for Finley to say that they had nothing else planned because that was the truth, and it would give Michelle an in to get at least Finley and maybe Ava to go dance with her, because Molly sure as hell wasn’t going to watch Finley dance with other women.
“Molly and I are hanging out,” Finley insisted. “Then, I’m going back to Molly’s place tokeephanging out together. Right, Molls?”
“Uh…” Molly wasn’t expecting that, so she looked over at Ava, who was now staring at her. “Yeah. That’s right.”
“Boring,” Michelle said. “Dance with me.” She leaned into Finley’s side.
“Aren’t you here with Ava?” Molly spoke up.
“Yes, but Ava doesn’t like me. Right, Ava? I assume this is going nowhere.”
“I wouldn’t say that I don’t like you, but I don’t think that we’re going to go on a second date, no.”
“There.” Michelle nodded. “That means Finley and I can go dancing.”
“Wow,” Molly said, mainly to herself.
“I am so sorry,” Ava whispered to her.
“No, it doesn’t mean that,” Finley replied. “I’m hanging out with Molly tonight.”
