The Gavin she’d decided she hated would never have 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 what was turned 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.
Molly squeezed Kaiya’s arm. “While we both know that pondering unique ways to castrate Gavin is one of my favorite pastimes, let’s talk Dan.”
Kaiya blushed, deep red stains on her cheeks.
“Ohhh.” Molly released her arm. “Dish.” She stepped back, giving her friend a tip to toe full evaluation.
Kaiya fiddled with the ends of her hair. “There’s nothing to dish.”
Molly pinched her lips to the side. “You really think that’s going to work with me? Me of all people?”
“I really like him,” Kaiya said, quietly. “It’s like we’ve known each other longer than a day.”
Molly adored this part of watching two people fall in love—the space before any complications settled in. The spot where it was just two people figuring out that there was a future together.
“I think it’s perfection,” she said.
“Are you sure?” Kaiya didn’t seem convinced. “I mean, he’s not even my date. He’s yours.”
