The Last Autograph (A Reluctant Kiss #3)

Chapter 38

38

Molly rolled over in bed and checked the time—six fifteen on a cold and moody Monday. Her head hit the pillow again as the thought of getting up to go for a walk made her groan. But exercise was her therapy, so she threw back the covers, sat on the edge of the bed, and stretched her arms skyward. “Good morning, beautiful world.”

Just like yesterday, she wondered if Jake would call. He’d texted her late that morning to apologize for his drunken message, but otherwise, there had been no contact. And as she brushed her teeth, the memory of him and what they’d done in Mason’s office brought a flush to her cheeks. As for their moody Monday raincheck, she chose not to think about that. Drunken invitations didn’t count. Did they?

Determined not to get bogged down in the what-ifs, a restless Molly opened the small window that overlooked the garden, and pulled on her walking gear. By the time she’d laced her shoes, her mood had caught up with the action, and she looked forward to a hit of ocean air.

She parked her Suzuki outside the bandstand and headed south along the boardwalk, past the sunken garden toward the skate park, already alive with skateboarders.

Across the road, the patisserie came into view, still closed and the frontage unlit. Molly longed to go inside, to warm her hands on a mug of hot chocolate and have Jake appear from the kitchen, a soft smile on his face as they both recalled their indiscretion from Mason’s party.

But instead, with her hood up and hands stuffed in her pockets, Molly walked on, reminiscing about their nights together at Silkwood Crescent as they lay in his bed in that private corner of the world they’d created for themselves, so hungry and passionate for each other that reality ceased to exist.

When she was younger, shitty love life aside, Molly had such high hopes for her future; now, she couldn’t get her head around the uncertainty that plagued her. She missed Jake—so much so that some days she couldn’t see a way forward, and now, after the party, obvious obstacles aside, she questioned why she ever felt the need to pull back at all.

Molly slowed, taking in her surroundings. She’d walked all the way to the river mouth, where surfcasters hauled in their early morning catch. It reminded her of fishing with her father as a child, the nostalgia warming her insides but also making her restless. She’d always wanted a family of her own, with kids and a big backyard and all the pressure that accompanied it. But these days, that pipe dream seemed further and further out of reach.

Turning back, Molly inserted her earbuds to catch a page or two of her latest romantic fantasy. With the narrator’s voice soothing her into the world of Scottish Highlanders, she’d almost reached the sunken garden when she thought she heard someone call her name.

She glanced over her shoulder, then turned around. Jake, his helmet firmly in place, cut the Vespa’s engine and smiled. “Hey, I thought it was you.”

Dressed in a puffer vest and jeans and with his cheeks flushed with color, he looked so freakin’ hot she wanted to hop on behind him and hold on tight. Molly removed her earbuds and let her hood fall. Her visceral reaction to him was immediate, as if he’d transported her straight back to the bathroom of Silkwood Crescent and his whispered words of seduction in the dark. Mon ange.

“I see you took my advice,” she said.

“Advice?”

“You’re wearing a helmet.”

“I don’t like bucking the rules.”

“Is that right?”

“Well”—that lazy smile—“it depends who I’m with.”

Was that what Saturday night was all about? Bucking the rules and showing her that he could, just because?

“Apologies once again for the text the other night. I had a few more drinks after you left, so…”

“No problem.” Behind her, the ocean crooned its rhythmic song, and as he studied her without further comment, Molly shivered under his attention. She checked her watch. “Anyway, don’t let me hold you up.”

“Do you have plans for tonight? I thought maybe we could do dinner.”

“Sorry, I’m flying to Auckland this afternoon for a conference.”

“How long for?”

“Only a couple of days.”

Jake folded his arms across his chest and steadied his balance. “It was great seeing you again at the party.”

Great? As their reckless tryst in Mason’s compact office flashed through her mind yet again, Molly failed to form a coherent sentence. So instead, she simply nodded.

Smiling, he restarted the Vespa. “Right, I’d better go. I’ll see you when you get back. Safe travels.”

“Thanks.”

She turned and walked away, her heart racing as his stare bored into her back and the memory of his skillful hand between her thighs surfaced.

“And, Molly,” he called.

She slipped her hands into her pockets against the chill. Inhaled. Glanced back. “Yes?”

He still flaunted that lazy smile. “You can hold me up anytime. See you soon.”

Moments later, Molly sat behind the wheel of her Vitara and stared straight ahead as Jake and his Vespa merged into the traffic and disappeared from view.

On her way home, she detoured past the patisserie, now open for business, and as the rising sun shone through the courtyard gates, she longed to go inside.

While driving along Seaview Road, random thoughts surfaced. Jesse’s card, the drumsticks, Jake’s measured expression when he noticed her at the bake-off, and their first almost kiss against the stainless-steel kitchen counter while a tray of éclairs baked in the oven.

So much had happened since Valentine’s Day, when their gazes caught at the traffic lights for the first time.

And yet, somehow, not quite enough.

The last time they texted, Molly had told CeCe that her fling with Jake was over, to which CeCe replied, “But is it complete?”

She’d contemplated that question many times since then and now wondered if her bond with Jake would ever be… complete.

Molly arrived at work late and settled at her desk with a coffee and a piece of biscotti in front of her. She was concentrating on her design project when Winston approached her desk.

“Morning, Parker.”

She smiled at her boss. “Winston. How was your day off?”

“I’m not sure I’d call a school trip to the aquarium with thirty-five nine-year-olds a day off. Would you?”

Molly chuckled. “No. I guess not.”

“Just a heads-up. Jake Sinclair emailed me this morning. He finally wants to go ahead with his contract.”

As her imagination swam with social media muddle, Molly smiled at the prospect of working with him. “So, I have the account?”

“Um, no. He specifically asked for anyone but you.”

Unsure whether to be hurt or amused by his rebuff, Molly raised a brow but quickly decided not to be precious. It was Jake’s prerogative to work with whomever he chose, but he could have at least given her a warning. Maybe that’s what he’d wanted to talk to her about on Saturday night before things got so spectacularly out of hand. “Oh, okay.”

Winston pulled out a chair and sat. “You’re disappointed?” The longer she worked at SpinWeb, the more her respect for him grew, but sometimes, she found his frankness confronting.

“Not at all.” What a lie. “I’m snowed under right now anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s what I told him. No point in giving the guy the upper hand. We don’t want to stroke his ego too much, do we now?”

A slow smile formed as Molly caught his drift. Every time they talked, she marveled at how perceptive he was. “Thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome. After all, I called it right from the start, didn’t I? And Jake’s a pretty good catch, so don’t let him off your hook. Play with him a bit longer—let him think he’s the boss—then reel him in.”

“You are hilarious. Jake and I are just friends.”

“Is that right? Thats what the wife was still telling people about us when she was six months pregnant with Poppy. We’d been together for years at that point.”

“And how long has it been now?”

“Next month is our twentieth anniversary.”

“I hope to have a love story like yours one day.”

“Hmm. Careful what you wish for, kid.” Winston stood. “Right, that’s enough touchy-feely crap for one day. I have work to do.”

Deep down, Winston was such a nice guy, and as he walked out the door, Molly couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.

She was about to get back to work when Nathan appeared in front of her desk, his eyes wide. “OMG. Do I have the tea, or do I have the tea?”

“Okay, spill it.”

“You’ll never guess what I’ve just heard.”

Molly chuckled. “Should I even try?”

“Alexia Cunningham’s been arrested for dealing in a Class A drug.”

Her eyes went as wide as Nathan’s. “What? No way!”

“Yes way. Stupid bitch.”

“When was this?”

“A week or so ago.”

Molly leaned back in her chair and pushed out a breath. She wondered if Jake knew. “It’s sad really, isn’t it?”

“Nope. She got exactly what was coming to her. And not only that, word is her father’s refusing to post bail.”

Settled in her hotel room overlooking the Auckland Viaduct, Molly reclined on the bed and picked up her phone for her usual text banter with CeCe while some TV cooking show played in the background.

Molly: How’s your day been?

CeCe: Interesting. You?

Molly: Let’s just say a glass of wine would be good right now.

CeCe: Rough then?

Molly: More surreal. I saw Jake this morning.

CeCe: How was he?

Molly: ??? Flirty.

CeCe: Typical male then.

Molly: Anyhoo, he’s going ahead with his SpinWeb contract but I didn’t make the cut. He wants someone else.

CeCe: Two words. Business and pleasure.

Molly: Haha.

Ever since Winston left her desk that morning, Molly had been mulling over that very cliché. They were wise words. She’d seen too many businesses ruined by affairs and romantic relationships gone bad.

Molly: He did ask me to have dinner with him tonight, but fate got in the way. Anyway, why are our text convos all about me? What’s so interesting in your life?

CeCe: I’ve been seeing two lines since breakfast.

Molly: What?

CeCe: And craving chips with salt and vinegar.

Molly sat up and pressed CeCe’s number. “No way! You’re pregnant?”

“Yes, but button your lip, Aunt Molly. We don’t want all of Clifton Falls knowing just yet.”

“Wow, I’m so happy for you guys. I’m gonna cry.”

“Thanks. I’m not supposed to tell anyone for another two weeks, but I need you to start knitting, so… yeah, that’s my news.”

“That’s awesome. How are you feeling? I can ask someone else to pick me up on Wednesday if you want.” Molly climbed off the bed and made a beeline for the bar fridge. She opened the tiny freezer door and peered inside. It was time to celebrate.

“Don’t be silly. I’m fine. Tired, but fine.” CeCe paused. “Are you raiding the minibar?”

“I might be.”

“Please don’t tell me you have ice cream. I’d kill for some right now.”

She took out a small serving of mango and passionfruit sorbet and set it on the counter to soften. “Nope, they haven’t left me any.”

“How rude.”

“But I do have sorbet. Talk soon.” She giggled and cut the call.

Luka: Guess where I am?

Molly: Out on a search and rescue mission?

Luka: Kind of. Off to the supermarket for ice cream.

Molly: Funny that. Hey, congrats BTW. So happy for you both.

Luka: Thanks M. But mum’s the word for another couple of weeks, OK?

Molly: Totally.