Gavin was.
She deflated a whole heap at that.
He’d disappointed Rachel on more than one occasion. Made stupid decisions that affected her best friend’s life in multiple instances.
Molly was fundamentally required—best friend code—to loathe him.
Yet…
He’d spent all day watching the boys. He dove right into the lake after her kid with no hesitation. After it all? He wanted to ensure Ollie’s lake excursion didn’t affect Rachel’s day.
Giving Rachelthatwas something she’d never expected of him.
A lump lodged in her throat.
The caring about Rachel’s happiness, that changed things.Grr, perception was a total bitch sometimes. Like, for instance, now.
The Gavin she’d decided she hated wouldneverhave done that. Would never insist they allow Rachel her day and not mire her down in parenting blah blah.
Who was this guy?
And why was he making Molly question every little thing? She glanced up to the sky for some kind of answer, but the canopy of trees blocked out most of the blue.
“Molly?” Kaiya hustled toward her on the path. “Where have you been?”
Hold it together, Molly. Strength is more than a word today.
“Oh no,” Kaiya said as she got closer, her eyes going wide. “What happened?”
Oh, so very much.
“Ollie fell in the lake.” Molly pursed her lips together to hold back any hint of emotion other than happiness. Happiness was the only feeling allowed at this wedding.
“Goodness.” Kaiya reached for Molly, placing her hands on Molly’s shoulders. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” Molly said for both her benefit and Kaiya’s. “Gavin pulled him out. They’re both soaked, but fine.”
Kaiya leaned back. She mouthed, “Gavin?”
Molly’s dislike of the man was well-documented in their mom group outings. Though she’d never gone so far as to make T-shirts with his face scratched out, she’d definitely considered it after he delivered two puppies to Rachel’s house without asking first.
Who did that?
Gavin. That’s who.
“I know.” Molly shook off what had happened and linked her arm with Kaiya’s as they trekked back together.
Molly hadn’t realized that after Gavin left with Ollie, she felt empty. Worried. Scared. But dwelling on what could have happened didn’t help anyone. Not when whatwasturned out to be totally okay.
That’s the advice she’d give to the dating scene because there was definitely a life lesson there. She’d make it a point to figure that out later so she could bottle it and use it on next week’s episode.
“Rachel wanted me to be sure you didn’t murder Gavin in the forest,” Kaiya said cheerfully. “There was some genuine concern.”
“I promised her I wouldn’t.” At this point, she actually owed Gavin. Really, at this point, she was questioning everything she’d ever thought about him. “Besides, we had the kids with us. I couldn’t murder him in front of witnesses. Makes things messy.”
“You probably could’ve just paid them off with candy or a Dave & Buster’s date,” Kaiya concluded.
Funny, somehow pondering Gavin’s demise had lost its fun factor.
