“I’m more interested in what’s under your clothes,” he said.
“That’s a surprise,” she said. She was staying the night again, and shocked that he’d asked her to, but since it was his day off and their normal date night, he wanted to take advantage of it. And honestly, she was looking forward to another night with her boys.
Which is how she was beginning to think of them.
But her good mood didn’t last long when her phone rang later that afternoon.
She reached over to grab it without looking and wished that wasn’t the case. “Molly Clarke.”
“Molly,” her mother said. “I haven’t talked to you lately. You’ve been later than normal replying to my texts.”
She wasn’t any later than she normally was.
Or she didn’t think so.
She stopped being at everyone's beck and call years ago.
“I’ve been busy,” she said. “Sorry. Is everything okay?”
Her mother would have told her otherwise if there was something wrong.
Or Erika would.
Not Matt.
They didn’t talk much at all. Might even have been months at this point. Easter? Christmas? Did she see him at Easter? Nope, she didn’t. He went away with his family.
But Christmas they were all at her mother’s and exchanged gifts. Christmas Eve, her and Erika and Erika’s family went to Ruby’s. Matt declined.
She found that funny since he was the one who tried to talk Ruby into helping their father and then later decided it was a betrayal to get close to her.
Oh well, her brother’s loss.
“Everything is fine. I haven’t wanted to bother you but had a minute and thought I’d reach out.”
“You’re calling right now when I’m at work,” she pointed out. She didn’t want to be rude and point out that calling her at work was bothering her.
“I know. I just wanted to know if things ended with Dean or not. You know, if you’re okay.”
She frowned. “Why would you ask like that? They are going great. I met his son and we get along so well.”
“Really, Molly. You’ve got so much potential and you’re dating a guy who works in a bar?” There was that condescending tone she just loved so much. That voice that always judged. That always said whatever choices she made in her life weren’t good enough.
Her mother had been excited she was dating at all. Then when she found out what Dean did, had gotten quieter. Add in being a single father.
But now that it seems more serious, looks as if her mother was going to be even more painfully truthful.
“It seems that I am,” she said, her back straightening. “And you know what? I’m damn happy with Dean too. Shouldn’t my happiness mean more than what he does for a living?”
“Not if you get sucked into his drama. Erika hasn’t met him yet, but she said he’s very handsome and nice to you and that you’re happy. But if he’s that handsome and friendly, aren’t you worried that he’d have a wandering eye at work?”
“That’s tacky even for you. On top of being rude. You don’t know him to make that assumption,” she snapped.
“I just know how these things tend to work out. Come on, Molly, he doesn’t sound anything at all your type.”
“What do you know of my type? I’ve never brought a guy home to be introduced to you.”
There was silence telling her she’d aimed and landed that arrow right.
