He and Shay were both finally single. They both finally lived in the same town. Right after her relationship with Nate ended, Connor had known he needed to make his move. But for the first several weeks, she’d been in mourning over the end of her romance. He didn’t want to rush her, but he couldn’t wait too long. She might get back together with Nate. Or she might start dating someone new. If that happened before he said anything, he’d never forgive himself. So he’d come up with a plan.
He tacked up more of the paper chain.
“What question did you have for me?” she asked, continuing to assess her display.
“There’s a woman that I really like—”
“Oh?” Her pretty brows lifted, and her expression sharpened on him with curiosity. “Who?”
“I’d rather not say.” He’d prepared for this question. “Misty River’s small. Everyone knows everyone and I’d feel uncomfortable having to... tell you who she is at this point.”
“A mystery?” she asked with delight.
“A mystery,” he confirmed.
“How about we call her Molly?”
“Why Molly?”
“Because Molly is the name of the American marathoner who won a medal at the last Olympics.” To this day, Shay went running every morning except Sunday and followed TV coverage of marathons, Iron Man races, and track and field. “Plus, I don’t know anyone named Molly in this town.”
“Molly it is.”
“What’s your question concerning Molly?”
He gestured with his head, asking,Is this where you want me to tack the end of this paper chain?without words.
She nodded. The group of customers followed Gabe to the checkout counter.
Connor pushed in the final tack. “I want to bring my A game with Molly.” His arms dropped and he slid his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “I haven’t dated much lately, and I think I could use a consultant. I wondered if you’d consider being that... for me.”
She neared, rattling the box of tacks in a loose fist. “Your dating consultant?”
“Exactly. To whip me into shape.”
“In what way?”
“How I look, how I dress, how I go about asking Molly out.”
“I don’t think you need whipping into shape.”
“There’s room for improvement,” he said honestly.
“Not much.”
“But some. This is important to me.” The caramel flecks in her eyes made it hard to concentrate enough to organize words. “I want to give myself the best possible chance with her.” And, after a lot of thought, he had confidence that this strategy would give him that. The best possible chance. It provided two benefits he needed if he was going to have a shot—more time one-on-one with Shay and insights into what she found attractive.
He was also painfully aware of the potential pitfalls. When he told hershewas Molly she might say that she felt nothing more than friendship for him. Or she might feel deceived and react with anger. The former was very likely. The latter less so, based on what he knew of her.
Thing was, nothing worth having was without risk.
And Shay was worth all the risk in the world. He was ready to push all of his chips to the center of the table.
“It sounds like Molly’s inspired quite a bit of devotion in you,” Shay said.
“Yes.”
“Lucky girl.” She rattled the tacks again. “How come you want me as your consultant?”
