Oscar set down his teacup. “You are a doll, that would be lovely.”
Molly’s eyes followed me wherever I went, from placing Henry in his booster chair and giving him some fruit snacks to tide him over to when I walked over to the refrigerator. “You are certainly different from Miles’s usual type.”
“Quite right you are,” Oscar agreed with her.
I opened the refrigerator and stuck my head in it. Can we say awkward? “Um . . . he’s my boss.”
“He must be a wicked boss. Wicked Mr. Wickham,” Molly said, making them both laugh.
I set down the ham and cheese I retrieved from the refrigerator on the island and tried not to make eye contact with Oscar and Molly, but they weren’t going to let this go.
“Does she remind you of someone?” Oscar asked Molly.
“Oh, yes, now that you mention it. She’s practically the spitting image of the only woman Miles has ever loved,” Molly replied with glee.
That got my attention. My head popped up and was greeted with two mischievous grins.
Oscar ran his finger around the rim of his cup. “It’s like Isabella has come to life.”
“No wonder our mate has transformed into a domestic god. He’s met his match.” Molly dared me to challenge her.
Oh, I would be. “We have a professional relationship.” They didn’t need to know any different.
Their laughter pealed through the house.
“Please, lovey,” Oscar could hardly contain himself, “the sexual tension between you two is delicious.”
“Now we know why he didn’t dash back to London like we all thought he would despite the promise he made to Sophie,” Molly added.
Oscar gave me a good once over. “Looking at you, he may never come home.”
“That’s not true.” I began arranging bread for grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. “Do you mind if we change the subject?” I tried to keep the pain out of my voice, but I didn’t do a very good job. They had no idea how I wished Miles and Henry would stay.
“Oh, dear, we’ve upset you. I’m sorry,” Molly said. “It’s just, you don’t know what a transformation has taken place inMiles. You have had quite the effect on him. Let me say it is a good one.”
I set down the butter knife I was getting ready to use. “What was he like before?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Oscar reached over and stole a piece of sliced cheese. “He was always a good mate, but a bit self-absorbed.”
“A bit?” Molly ripped a corner of cheese off Oscar’s slice and helped herself. “He missed Penny’s first wedding because she got married during one of his polo matches.”
“She was married?”
“Twice,” they said in unison.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Besides her loving nature?” The sarcasm oozed out of Oscar. “She’s never gotten over Miles.”
I gripped the island’s edge. “They dated?”
“Off and on for a couple years a long time ago,” Molly responded. “For Miles’s part, he was up front with her and he let her down gently.”
I turned on the griddle. “Maybe they’ll finally work things out.” My stomach turned at the thought. Not only did I not want Penelope with Miles, I hated to think of her as a parental figure for my sweet Henry. She’d ship him off to boarding school for sure.
They fell onto each other, chuckling.
“Listen to her.” Molly snorted.
