The Last Autograph (A Reluctant Kiss #3)

Chapter 30

30

Molly didn’t make it to the airport to farewell Jake, and in that way she had of brushing aside her anxiety, she was secretly pleased that his departure time clashed with a work meeting.

Besides, she’d never liked Thursdays, finding them glum and lackluster, and that particular Thursday, she couldn’t seem to still her concern.

They’d arranged to meet for lunch the day before, but she’d canceled after coming down with a migraine. When he phoned her that evening, his conversation was efficient and to the point, much like the man himself.

His mother’s call came before nine on Friday, and as Molly answered, her unease was immediate.

“Hello, Molly. It’s Hazel Sinclair. I was wondering if you’d have a few spare minutes today. I think it’s time we talked.”

Puzzled, Molly set down her phone and scanned her appointment book.

“How about Fig Leaf?” Hazel continued without waiting for a reply. “Shall we meet there around eleven?”

Molly rested her head in her hands and mimicked a silent scream. “Okay. I’ll see you then.”

“Fabulous.”

Shit!

Molly stood and watched as Hazel ascended the steps. Dressed in a Barbie-pink jacket with matching skirt and with pins adorning her lapels, she looked every inch the quintessential realtor. When Molly offered her hand, Hazel’s shake was uncomfortably lax, and she looked Molly up and down as if her appearance somehow failed to meet her expectations.

“Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.”

“No problem,” Molly lied.

Hazel gestured to the full-to-the-brim display case at the counter with an outstretched hand. “Gosh, doesn’t this all look amazing?”

Following Hazel’s lead, Molly ordered a savory scone and a cappuccino topped with chocolate before joining the older woman at the register.

Jake’s mother ushered Molly to a table for two by the window. Beyond its paneled panes, Carter Bay lay tranquil before them, and once again, that idiom, “calm before the storm,” surfaced.

“Well, what a stunning day we have.” Jake’s mother waited while the server delivered their coffees before continuing, “And thank you again for seeing me at such short notice. I imagine it’s not easy for you after the last time our paths crossed.”

Molly noticed the strain in her voice, and in that moment, sympathy overrode her fear of rejection. Perhaps she’d mentally constructed a scenario that had no basis in reality. She relaxed a little. “Yes, that was?—”

“Look, we might have got off on the wrong foot. I really appreciate what you did for Jake the other night… and the photo book. It was very thoughtful.”

So far, so good. “My pleasure.”

“It’s just”—Hazel buttered her scone but left it sitting on the plate—“this business between you and Jake. I’m struggling to get my head around it, to be honest. Have you been seeing him for a while?”

Or not. “Not really.”

“Is it serious?”

“That’s none of your business!” screamed inside her head, but Molly held her tongue. “I like Jake. He’s a kind man, and?—”

“Most people see him as this gruff guy who shuns small talk and loves getting amongst the waves, but there’s a lot more to him than those outward perceptions. He wants a family and a relationship worthy of his time and effort. Something solid… built on that strong foundation of mutual values and trust.” Hazel lifted her cup to her lips and took a sip. “A woman who’ll build that life with him.”

Compared to her previous “wrong foot” comment, the harshness of Hazel’s words stung . “ But not me. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Look, no offense, Molly, but I just think… well, Jake’s not getting any younger. And Alexia tells me you’re a career girl who never stays in one place for long.”

Alexia? “And you believe that the more time he spends with me, the less he’ll have to focus on what he really wants?”

“I must give credit where credit’s due, Molly. You’re more perceptive than I initially assumed.” Hazel steepled her hands in front of her, the scone still uneaten on her plate. “My words might seem harsh, and that’s not my intention, but you and I both know you can never be that girl. Not after what happened between you and Jesse.”

“And what was that?”

Hazel frowned. “Sorry?”

Molly took a deep breath as more people entered the cafe, the surrounding noise a distraction she didn’t need. “What’s your reference to my relationship with Jesse?”

“Look, I don’t mean to be unkind.” Hazel’s expression softened. “It’s just… well, I don’t really need to explain, do I?”

Molly wasn’t about to let Jake’s mother get away with not providing the explanation she deserved. That would be too easy, and she wanted to know exactly what Hazel meant. “Please, say what’s on your mind. After all, that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?”

“Okay, well, I know Jake believes otherwise,” Hazel leaned forward and lowered her voice, “but I can’t get over the fact that you took off as soon as Jesse found out he was ill.”

“Is that what Jesse told you? That I abandoned him?”

“Actually, he never mentioned you to me at all, so really”—she injected a caustic smile—“that speaks volumes in itself, don’t you think?”

As Hazel’s words lodged in her mind, Molly said nothing.

“That’s why this money business makes no sense. I can’t imagine what he was thinking by including you in his will. And to not even mention it to any of us… Well, he discussed it with Henry once or twice, but I wasn’t privy to those conversations.”

Molly bit the inside of her top lip, forcing herself to wait before speaking again. Once, when faced with a misunderstanding as momentous as this, she’d defend herself to the bitter end. But emotional maturity and the passage of time had gradually smoothed over those cracks in her personality. Now, knowing this argument was hopeless, Molly inhaled calmly and focused on how much Jesse once loved the woman sitting in front of her—and how Jake still loved her. Out of respect for the two men, it wasn’t her place to rock that boat.

She discreetly checked her watch. Time to shut this shit show down. “I should get going, but if I may say one final thing.”

Hazel straightened in her chair, her cup nestled in both hands, its rim stained with lipstick the same shade of pink as her power suit. “Of course. I’m not a monster, you know. Just a mother who loves her sons… son. ”

“It wasn’t my choice to leave him. However, defense is often seen as denial, and what happened between Jesse and me is private. He was a lovely guy, and for that, I thank you and your husband for the way you raised him.” Molly gathered her bag, both hands gripping the strap. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

As she prepared to stand, Hazel spoke again. “So, you understand?”

Deaf ears.

Molly stopped herself from saying, “Perfectly.” Sure, she appreciated Hazel’s point of view, but stating that she understood perfectly would be an affront to her feelings for Jake, and Molly wasn’t prepared to deny their connection to his mother, no matter how much Hazel disapproved of her son’s choices.

She was about to answer when Hazel continued, “I’m not normally one to interfere in Jake’s life. After all, he’s been my proverbial black sheep since the day he was born. And, despite their differences, he loved his twin. But this fling you’re having is nothing more than a sad little betrayal, and Jake doesn’t deserve to come second best to his late brother. I understand you may have feelings for him, but I’d hate for him to resent you when he eventually comes to his senses.”

“I—”

“And I know my son.” Hazel refused to let it go. “He won’t back down. When he wants something, he goes after it, no matter the personal cost. So I guess what I’m asking is for you to step back. Let him grieve in his own time—give him the space he deserves. And quite honestly, he misses Paris a lot more than he lets on, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he decides to move back there permanently. So much of his life is over there.” She paused. “Did he tell you about Ava?”

Shit. “He did.”

Hazel raised a brow. “I always thought they would marry. And I’m sorry, Molly, but I’m still holding out hope that they sort through their differences and get back together.” She offered a sad smile. “Please don’t stand in their way.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the coffee.” It was the polite thing to say, but not the words in her heart. And right at that moment, her heart was splintering as those words fought to break free.

Molly stood, trying to steady herself as emotion burned in her gut. “I really have to go. Please, don’t get up.”

Time seemed to slow as she pushed through the doors and bounded down the steps to the pavement below. While hurrying along the street toward her car, she fumbled in the bottom of her bag for her keys. By the time she found them, tears were threatening to spill.

Before starting the engine, she sat frozen in the driver’s seat, both hands clenching the steering wheel. And as she drove, she ran her forefinger along one lower lash line, then the other.

When she pulled into Gloria’s driveway a short while later, Molly remained in her car. She reminded herself that the woman had recently lost a son and that her grief was still raw, but right at that moment, it was impossible to feel any sympathy whatsoever for Hazel Sinclair.

A sad little betrayal.

Well, shit!