Chapter 11
ELEVEN
MOLLY
Between my classes with the kids at the center, romancing new donors, and spending as much time as possible with Josh, I’m stretched thin.
So far, Josh and I have racked up four official dates: brunch on Sunday, dinner that night, breakfast on Monday, and lunch yesterday. Tonight, he invites me over for dinner, but I put him off. I need a night to catch up on work, decompress, and carve out a little space to think.
Everything about us feels too easy. I want to be with him constantly. I’m already attached, already falling for him—and that terrifies me. That’s why I “book” lunch with Bess today.
“Babe!” Bess waves from across the room, her voice carrying. “Get that cute butt over here!”
I smile, striding toward her, but my steps falter when I see who else is at the table. She’s brought some of her bridesmaids.
Sliding into a chair, I feel a pang of disappointment knowing our usual one-on-one gossip session is off the table. “Hey, I didn’t realize we had a thing today.”
“Well, we need to plan the bachelorette and a few other events, and I just thought, why not kill two birds with one stone?” Bess beams, completely unbothered.
“Ah, sure.” I reach for the menu, trying not to sigh.
“Oh, babe, I hope you don’t mind, but I already ordered for you. It’s more efficient. I know you’re busy.”
“Ah, sure,” I repeat, resigning myself to whatever’s coming.
“Now!” Bess claps her hands, leaning in. “Let’s get down to business. Tell me all about the bachelorette party.”
The bridesmaids—all four of them—turn to stare at me.
None of these women are on my list of favorite people.
They’re here because Bess’s father pressured her to include them for the sake of his business partnerships.
I hate that for her, but I know how much she loves and respects him, even when it costs her.
“I thought we’d start with a spa day—” I begin, keeping my tone neutral.
“Oh, please.” Hayley Freemont rolls her eyes dramatically. “She wants us to stay in town and do boring shit. It’s totally her MO. Don’t let her ruin this for us, Bessie.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, swallowing the urge to snap back. The Freemonts donated half a million dollars to the center last year, and I can’t afford to ruin my chances for another donation.
“Is that true, Molly?” Bess asks, turning those big, sad eyes on me.
“Well, I just thought with the wedding so close, we wouldn’t have time to travel—”
“Doesn’t Peter have a vacation house?” Rose Umbridge taps a perfectly manicured finger against her lips. “We could totally party there.”
I try to inject some reason into the conversation.
“The bachelor and bachelorette parties are scheduled for two weeks before the wedding. If we plan travel, we’ll have to cancel the—” I pull the wedding booklet from my bag, flipping to the events list. “We’ll have to cancel the makeup and hair trials or the final dress fittings.
” I glance up, speaking calmly. “The only free weekend is this one, and there’s no way we—”
“Let’s do it!” Bess declares, her face lighting up.
“This weekend. We can talk the guys into coming with us. I’ll call the catering company if you ladies plan the entertainment.
” Bess turns to me, her excitement palpable.
“My cousin’s house is down the road from the Greenfeld’s. We can put the guys up there.”
I see my quiet weekend with Josh slipping through my fingers like sand. “But, Bess—”
“Yes! Let’s do it,” Hayley cuts me off, smirking triumphantly. “But if you’re too busy to be maid of honor, Molly, I’d be happy to step in—”
“No,” I grind out through clenched teeth. Taking a deep breath, I force a smile onto my face. “I’ve got this.”
I don’t, though. It’s Wednesday, and I already have a million things to do before Friday.
Rose holds up her phone. “I just texted the others. They’re totally in.”
“I’ll need a list of the other people you want to invite,” I say to Bess, mentally rewriting my entire week.
“Oh, just the usual suspects. We’ll do the Disney version for my family when we get home. I’m sure a spa day followed by a tame dinner will suffice.” She waves a hand in my direction, as if that’s all the explanation needed. “But this weekend? I want decadence. Strippers and alcohol.”
“I’ll get it organized,” I say, sighing inwardly as disappointment settles deep in my chest.
“Great! Now.” Bess turns her attention back to the others. “Let’s talk dates. Who are you all bringing? Who do I need to keep an eye on?”
“We all know Molly isn’t bringing anyone,” Hayley mutters with a smug little smile.
I flinch, but recover quickly. “Actually, Hayley, I have a plus one.”
The table goes silent. Bess’s head snaps toward me. “What? Since when?”
I hide a smile, looking down at my plate. “Since the speed dating night you insisted I attend.”
“Oh my God! You met someone!”
I laugh, feeling a bit lighter. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Who?” Bess demands, her excitement bubbling over. “Tell me all the deets.”
I know my expression has gone soft and gooey, but I don’t even care. “Josh.”
“Josh who?” Rose asks, her tone sharp with curiosity. The entire table leans in, suddenly fixated on my love life.
“Josh Greenfeld.”
The table falls silent again, but this time the women exchange knowing glances.
I frown, glancing between them. “What?”
“You’re dating Pete’s brother?” Hayley asks, her tone dripping with scepticism.
“Yeah. We caught up again since he’s in town, and things just…” I shrug, smiling despite the tension at the table. “We’re seeing how it goes.”
“Well, it won’t last very long,” Katherine Burrows mutters from across the table, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
“Excuse me?” I lift my head, narrowing my eyes.
Hayley raises her wine glass, her lips curving into a smug smile. “You’re not exactly known for your staying power. And Josh is a red-blooded man with access to the A-list. He’s not going to settle for…” She trails off, her gaze dropping pointedly to my stomach.
Heat flushes my cheeks, and I drop my head, swallowing hard against the sting of her words.
“Oh, shut your pie hole, Hayley. You’re just jealous because he rejected you in college,” Bess snaps, her voice cutting through the tension like a whip.
“And that goes for you too, Katherine. They’ve been dancing around each other for years.
Everyone saw it. It’s not our fault that you’re too stupid to notice when a man is hung up on a woman. ”
Hayley’s face flushes a deep red, and she opens her mouth to protest, but Bess holds up a hand, cutting her off.
“Shut it,” Bess orders firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“The only reason you’re even a bridesmaid is because your daddy asked my daddy.
I respect my parents, and I know your dad’s business means a lot to Pete’s firm as well.
But I have zero qualms about removing you if you keep up this bitchiness. ”
She turns to me, her sunny smile instantly back in place. “Babe, I’m so happy for you! He’s perfect. And you’re totally his type. Just think, if you marry him, we’ll be sisters-in-law!”
I laugh despite myself, feeling my spirits lift a little. “Don’t get your hopes up for a double wedding. We’re still working this out. It’s still new.”
“But you’re together.” She sighs, propping her chin on her hand as her eyes drift dreamily into the distance. “You’re maid of honor, he’s the best man. It’s like a romance novel.” Then, with a wicked grin, she adds, “Have you ridden his anaconda yet?”
“Bess! Jesus!” I sputter, my face burning.
“That’s a no.”
“Okay, let’s redirect this conversation.” I flip open the wedding booklet in front of me, desperate for a change of topic. “Wedding. Let’s talk about this wedding. What still needs doing?”
Bess groans, throwing a hand over her forehead like a damsel in distress. “Cake, band, flowers, celebrant…” She rattles off a long list of tasks, each one heavier than the last.
We agree to divide and conquer. My assignments are cake, rehearsal dinner, and wedding favors. All I need to do is create a shortlist of four options for each and let Bess make the final decisions.
Easy. Also, delicious.
“Okay.” I stand, brushing imaginary crumbs from my lap. “I have to head back to work. Hayley, if you could book the flights for Friday, I’ll organize the rest.”
I leave the restaurant, already pulling out my phone to text Josh the bad news.
Josh
I don’t want to say your friend is the worst but…
Gif of a T-Rex in a wedding dress screaming “Bridezilla.”
Molly
Oh hush. We’ll still have Thursday night and most of Friday. I checked flights. Unless they take a private jet, they’re not getting in until late afternoon.
Josh
That’s still too soon. You promised me a full weekend.
Molly
And I’ll deliver… after the wedding.
Josh
I’m going to hold you to that.
Molly
And if I don’t deliver?
Josh
How do you feel about handcuffs and beds?
I smirk, sending him a screenshot of me asking my assistant to book the remotest cabin with a hot tub she can find for the week after the wedding.
Josh
Have I told you today that you’re perfect?
Molly