Page 46 of The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss
“Yeah, I want it. Why are you moving, though?” Case followed Josiah to the couch and sat in the adjacent chair.
Josiah shrugged. “I miss my family. Plus, there’s a good opportunity there to sell real estate now that the town is coming back to life.”
His friend eyed him, and one lone eyebrow arched up. “And the girl has nothing to do with it?”
“She does, but I was going to move home either way.” Not totally true, but close enough.
“Did Diane help you guys?”
“Yeah, she was awesome. She suggested we talk to the birth mom, and we did. I can’t say much because it’s not my story to tell, but I think things are going to be okay.”
Sitting back, Case set his ankle over his knee. “Good to know. Diane is tough. She makes me glad I went into entertainment law.”
“That reminds me. I sent Malakai some properties, and he liked one of them, but I’m guessing you already know that since you’re his lawyer.”
“Yeah, he called. On New Year’s Day. Does the guy not understand holidays?”
“I don’t think so, but I think it’s because he’s never been told no. That’s what happens when you grow up as a Dallas socialite.” Josiah paused. “He’s a decent guy, though. He helped me get a great detective. That’s how we were able to find the birth mom so quickly.”
Case nodded. “He is a good guy when you get to know him. The first time I met him, I wanted to punch him.”
Laughing, Josiah added, “You too?”
“So, this moving thing. You’re really serious? Because if you are, I want the apartment.”
“Can you get out of your current lease?”
“Yeah, totally. It’ll cost me, but that’s okay. I’ve only got a few months left on the one I’m in currently.” He finished off his drink and set the bottle next to the chair. “I’ve got some free time. I drove by that old theater on the way here. They’re playingGoonies. You want to go see it?”
Josiah’s heart ached. Molly would want to see that. “Uh, how about that new movie with the zombies?”
Case sat forward. “Oh, man, she got you good if you’re turning down a classic.”
“It’s okay. I just need a little time.”
Grabbing the bottle, Case stood. “Okay. Let’s go watch zombies eat brains.”
“Thanks,” Josiah said and pushed off the couch. “And thanks for coming over.”
“No problem, man. Heartbreak is a bear.”
Sugar-free gummy bears. And now he had no one willing to fight them off. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long to get over Molly or everything he loved reminding him of her. The dull ache in his chest grew a little bigger, and he had a feeling it would be a while. His problem was that he didn’t really want to get over her. How could you force yourself to stop loving someone? He wasn’t sure anyone would have the answer to that.
Chapter 22
It had been a month since Josiah dropped Molly off at her apartment. The second his taillights disappeared around the corner, she’d dissolved into a mess of tears. She’d made a decision, and her heart wasn’t on board at all. Still, even with all the waterworks, she’d convinced herself that she was just being emotional and needed to stick to her rule.
With each day that passed, she doubted herself more and more. Josiah was a good man with a beautiful heart. He’d given her a job when he didn’t have to. He’d invited her home. He’d changed a diaper that most men would have run from. Reagan’s words continued to ring in her ears. Love was a risk. The real question Molly had to ask herself was, was it a risk she was willing to take? What if she got hurt again?
The question was always answered with another question. What if she didn’t? Her heart and her head were giving her whiplash. She’d walked past the old theater and saw thatGoonieswas playing. Then “Tainted Love” came on the intercom while she was applying for a job. She’d started bawling and left because she couldn’t see through the tears to fill it out.
“Molly.” The sound of Ms. Salinas’s voice cut through her thoughts as Molly sat in the lobby of her office.
She swallowed down the tears currently threatening to spill and lifted her head. “Hi.”
Ms. Salinas was smiling at her. “Come on in.”
Two days ago, she’d taken Ellie for the paternity test, and the results were back. As much as she wanted to believe Brenda, part of her couldn’t stop worrying until that test backed up her claim. What if Brenda didn’t really know if Ellie was Derek’s or not? Derek stayed with her, so he must have thought there was a chance the baby was his, right?
