Molly’s mouth worked, opening and closing in silence for a long moment. Then, a mischievous sparkle caught in her eyes and she threw her head back and laughed.
“Oh, this is a story I have to hear.”
She grabbed a couple of menus from a little hostess stand and a few sets of silverware wrapped in white paper napkins. “Follow me. I have a booth open in the back. That way I can chat with y’all and keep an eye on the kitchen.”
Nova threw Torin a triumphant look as she walked by him to follow Molly.
“That wasn’t nice,” he muttered behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Neither was the surprise family meeting. A little warning would have been good.”
Instead of looking repentant, Torin just grinned at her. “What can I say? I knew the best way to introduce you to Molly was in an ambush. Otherwise, she would have tracked down your cell number and been texting you relentlessly from the day she found out she was meeting you until five minutes before we arrived here.”
Considering what she’d seen of Torin’s aunt so far, Nova could believe it.
ChapterFifteen
Lunch with Torin’s aunt was illuminating for Nova. She understood a bit of Torin’s reserve now.
Molly was fun, outrageous, and gregarious. It was difficult to get a word in edgewise with her. It made sense that Torin would have just sat back and been quiet as a young man. There was no use trying to interrupt because Molly O’Malley was a good-natured steam roller that would merely flatten you when she wanted you to do something. But in the nicest way.
Nova wanted to laugh at the thought. A sweet steam roller. From what she learned of Molly during their lunch, she thought the woman would find that funny. Maybe on a coffee mug.
It also explained why Torin was such a good listener. Molly had a way of drawing information out of you that you might not have shared otherwise.
Finally, when their food arrived at the table, she leaned over and gave both of them a kiss on the cheek.
“Nova, darlin’, it was lovely to meet you. Please come and see me again.” She nudged Torin in the shoulder. “And bring this one with you. I’ll leave you to eat your food because I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Nice to meet you too, Molly,” Nova said. “I’ll be back.”
The other woman smiled at her, bright and happy. “Good.” She turned to Torin. “Now, nephew of mine, don’t work yourself too hard. You get one life and what’s the point of it if you don’t have memories with your family and friends?”
“Yes, Aunt Molly,” he answered, his tone dry. “I’ll be sure to do that.”
“Don’t sass me,” she said, smacking his shoulder lightly. “I’m your elder.”
“Of course not,” he replied. His expression was innocent, his words sincere, but somehow, he still made it clear that he intended to sass her as often as possible.
She kissed his cheek one more time before she said, “Oh, hell.” Molly yanked him to his feet from outside the booth and wrapped her arms around him tight. “I miss you, you big goon. You have to visit more often. And not just to eat my food.”
This time, Torin meant it when he said, “I will.”
Molly released him and walked back toward the kitchen. Torin slid into the booth beside Nova, who was looking at him with damp eyes.
“Your aunt is sweet,” she said.
“Yeah. She’s also a bulldog. When she wants something, she sinks her teeth into it and shakes until it happens.”
Nova grinned at him, her tears drying up. “I could see that.”
“Now, eat your food before it gets cold. It’s best hot.”
Since Molly’s diner served breakfast all day, Nova had ordered one of her favorites—eggs Benedict but with a twist. Instead of an English muffin, the egg rested on a half a biscuit. On top of that was a piece of ham, topped by a slice of fried green tomato. Then, the poached egg. Instead of hollandaise sauce, they were heavily drizzled with chorizo cream gravy. The eggs came with a side of home fries and bacon, also two of her favorite things.
Overall, it looked and smelled fantastic. She did as Torin suggested, picked up her fork and knife, and cut into the center of the first stack of eggs Benedict. The yolk was nearly orange as it ran out onto the plate.
“Wow,” she murmured.
