I can practically feel Glen’s excitement from where he stands, his lips curling up into a devious little smile. That line was perfect. No wonder they want to push Molly into villain territory. I know I have real-life evidence of her being a two-faced liar, but I can’t deny that she really does play the part particularly well for the cameras.
“Say that again, but instead of saying ‘him,’ can you say his name?” Demi asks, catching Glen’s expression.
Molly repeats herself once, then clears her throat and speaks the line again, but with a different inflection.
Demi grins, then asks, “If he isn’t picked, what would you do?”
“If Duncan isn’t picked…” Molly muses, repeating Demi’s question expertly. “I guess I could talk to William a bit more? He seems like a cool guy, although I don’t usually date jocks.”
Demi nods, like she’s trying to relate. “Totally. Do you think you could find love with someone you wouldn’t usually date?”
Molly pauses for a moment to think, looking at Probably-Mark, then Sora, then finally resting her gaze on me.
“Oh, I don’t know…I think people are generally exactly who they show you they are.”
Her tone remains as smooth as honey, but there’s an edge to it, and I bristle. The line feels like it comes out of nowhere, leaving me feeling a bit taken aback.
“What do you mean?” Demi presses, her head cocked to one side.
“I learned a long time ago that even the best people can turn out to be assholes in the end,” Molly says, returning her attention to the camera. “So, why would I lower my standards, or change who I surround myself with, when I can be specific? When I can beexplicit?”
Demi and Glen exchange a look, as if realizing they’ve missed something. But I’m not confused. It feels like her message is aimed directly at me. I already know she hasn’t moved on from what happened between us, based on her icy tone earlier and the look she gave me when we first caught sight of one another.
But her answer here reveals more of what she’s feeling. She’sangry.And I have no idea why.
Before I even realize what I’m doing, I clear my throat. Heads swivel toward me, Molly’s included.
“So, what you’re saying is you’rethatgood at judging a person’s character without even talking to them? Just by looks alone? Isn’t that a little shallow?” I ask.
A wry smile tugs at the side of her mouth.
“I’m not shallow, I’m ruthless.”
“Ruthless, eh?” I snicker dryly. “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“Call me dramatic. Call me a bitch. I don’t really care what anyone thinks. I’m not going to apologize for who I am. I did, once upon a time. But never again.”
Our eyes lock, anger heating Molly’s gaze.
A moment passes.
Neither of us blink.
Finally, Demi claps her hands, breaking us out of our uneasy standoff.
“I think that’s good for now, Molly. You can go.”
Molly gives Demi a curt nod and stands to leave.
“By the way,” she says casually, addressing the room, “if Duncan is on that excursion today? Then I will be, too. I’m going to change into something more comfortable, and if there isn’t a knock on my door to escort me to the dock alongside Dunc, then I’ll spend the rest of the day in my room.”
Shoving past Sora and nearly knocking her over, Molly sweeps out of the room, the junior PA scurrying after her as the door swings shutbehind them.
As I stand in stunned silence, it seems increasingly clear—lying low, with a viper like Molly on the ship, is going to be nearly impossible.
TEN
Chloe’s ‘90s Hits, Now Playing:
