Page 53 of October
“Yeah, she’s been coming up with cool stuff for us to do even when I’m here and she’s there.”
“FaceTime sex isn’t a date, Juliet.”
Juliet laughed and said, “Not that. She finds these virtual events and stuff. It’s just something she’s been doing this week because we’re apart for the first time since getting together, but I’ve been enjoying them. Anyway, I’ve got to get back to class. Text her. I’m sure she can help.”
Molly let her go and looked around, checking for anyone from the office who might have overheard her asking Juliet what kind of date to plan for her and Finley. Texting would be easier, so she pulled up one of the most recent contacts added to her phone and sent a message to Gwen.
Gwen Benedetti: Oh, yeah. I can help with that. Finley’s not really from New Orleans, right?
Molly Jewel: No, she moved here for work. Why?
Gwen Benedetti: Has she done any of the silly tourist things since moving here?
Molly looked down at her phone in confusion.
Gwen Benedetti: I realize you might not know, but odds are, she hasn’t. Most of us who live here don’t do any of it, even if we move here. I’d recommend booking something with NOLA Guides. Myra did that for a date with Elisa, and Elisa loved it. She was new here, too, and it was a fun way for her to learn about the city and be with Myra at the same time. Myra knows the owner of the company, and they have a ton of options, so I’m sure you can find something Finley would like. Maybe do the food tour. That’s dinner and an activity rolled into one.
Molly nodded because that was, surprisingly, a good idea.
Molly Jewel:Thanks! I’ll go check them out right now.
Gwen Benedetti: Good luck!
Molly tucked her phone away and got back to work. Part of her wanted to surprise Finley in the same way Finley had surprised her, and the other part wanted to ask her if a lame tour around the city was something she’d even like. Deciding to go with the surprise option and take a small risk for once, she packed up her things at five and left, not seeing Finley around. Finley had been bouncing from floor to floor all day, so Molly decided not to say goodbye, but to say hello in a couple of hours.
When she got home, Molly pulled out her laptop again and did her research. NOLA Guides had several options, but most of them were available during the day; only a few were evening options. There was the food tour Gwen had mentioned, but while it did sound great, Molly wasn’t sure she wanted to condense their date by combining the activity with the meal. She’d already shortened their first date by pulling away from Finley, and she didn’t want to make that mistake again. Then, she spotted the one that would work, smiled, and quickly booked it because it would be perfect given the time of year.
???
“Why areyoupicking me up? I asked you out,” Molly said when she opened the door to Finley.
“Because I offered, and you said okay,” Finley replied, holding out another flower. “This one, I bought at the store. I thought about getting you a dozen of something, but I decided it could be cooler if I just bring you a different one for every date until yougetto a dozen.” Finley shrugged both shoulders. “If we get to a dozen dates, I mean. You could be annoyed with me by then.”
“I doubt it,” Molly said with a smile. “Do you want to come in for a minute? I’ll get this one in the vase with the other one so that they can get to know each other.”
She started walking over to the vase where she still had Finley’s first flower, and Finley walked through the door and closed it behind her.
“WillIbe getting to know you more tonight?”
Molly turned back to her with a lifted eyebrow.
“Not like that,” Finley corrected herself and waved her hands. “Not sex. I didn’t mean that. Not that Iwouldn’twant that. I didn’t even mean kissing. Kissing would be nice, but not a requirement or anything.”
Molly laughed and asked, “Why are you so nervous right now? It’s usually me.”
“I don’t know.”
Finley shook her head and looked adorable.
“Whatdidyou mean if you didn’t mean kissing or sex?”
“I just meant actually getting to know you because we started that a little last night, but then you went another way by pretending to like salad with dressing on the side, when Iknow you wanted extra dressing, at least, if not something else entirely.”
Molly rolled her eyes at herself and said, “True. I’m still sorry, by the way. I can promise you that I will be myself tonight and order all junk food.”
Finley laughed a little and held out her hand for Molly to take.
“Good. Are you ready? And you look great, by the way. I haven’t said that yet.”
