“Molly.” He pinched his mouth in a thin line. “Always a pleasure.”
Funny, he didn’t sound like that was true. And it sort of stung. Well, not quite a sting… More like a dull ache. Still, though—uncomfortable.
“I was just leaving, actually.” Molly slid from the stool. “Don’t leave on my account.” Gavin strode into the kitchen, setting the latest thriller novel du jour on the counter with his keys.
“I don’t want to intrude,” Molly said, softer than she’d intended and with none of the oomph she’d hoped.
“You’re never an intrusion.” Evelyn brushed aside the thought like a fleck of dust.
Gavin moved to the refrigerator and removed a bottle of water. “It’s true. Mom’s the only intruder in my life.”
“Funny guy.” Evelyn sipped her tea. “Tell us all about your date.”
“Nothing to tell.”
Evelyn turned her eyes to slits. “Even my cat doesn’t believe that.”
They were at the fake feline portion of the evening.
Things just got interesting.
“I had a great time. Think I’ll do it again next week.” He grinned, a subtle dimple showing at the edge of his right cheek.
Funny, she’d never noticed that before.
“Where did you go? Who did you see?” Evelyn asked, clearly having no issue prying into her son’s life. Molly wanted to take notes for when Ollie got older.
Gavin, however, didn’t answer the question. He turned the force of his gaze to Molly. “Thank you for taking the boys to dinner. They’ve been talking about it all day.”
“Hamburgers will do that.” Molly fiddled with the strap of her purse. “Also, ice cream.”
She pointedly looked at the book he’d dropped with his keys. That was a trick she’d suggested—taking a book along, in case the date was a bore and ended early.
A crash and a thud echoed in the backyard. Gavin glanced around Molly. “I should probably go see?—”
“Nonsense.” Evelyn shushed him. “You have a guest.
I’ll go see what they got into.”
“Should I be worried?” Molly asked, not really worried. The sound wasn’t of the variety that made her motherhood hairs all raise on end.
Gavin shook his head. “Only if you’d like to go check on them.”
Evelyn hurried toward the sound of the boys laughing. “Does it mean I get to escape?” Molly asked, leveling her stare at him.
“Only if you’re a coward.” His eyes twinkled in a way she’d never noticed before. “But we both know that isn’t the case.”
“So…good date?” she asked, when what she should have done was get up and leave.
“They all are.” That godforsaken twinkle was still present in his eyes.
And she knew damn well he hadn’t been on much of a date. Not if he took his novel along.
“Stimulating conversation?” she asked.
“I was there, so of course it was.” He smirked. Her palm itched to whack him with the book.
“But sometimes—” He leaned against the side of the counter. “Words don’t need to be spoken.”
