Chapter 10
Molly had the day off, and Eli was missing every second she wasn’t there. He caught himself looking for her constantly. He knew he always looked in her direction, but it was different when she wasn’t there. It made him realize how often he did it.
By the time lunchtime rolled around, he couldn’t stand not seeing her any longer. He went up to the cafe counter where Katie and Michelle were making drinks.
“Hey, Katie, is there a chance you could make me Molly’s favorite drink?”
Katie glanced at him and furrowed her eyebrows. “Why?”
“I want to run it to her during my lunch break.” There wasn’t any point in hiding it. His siblings weren’t stupid and could clearly see what was going on between them. Plus, with Cole already knowing, the rest were bound to find out anyway.
“Aww,” Katie and Micelle said at the same time.
Eli cracked a smile. He couldn’t help it.
“That’s so cute. Give me just a minute,” Katie said.
Eli thanked her and then went back into the office where Cole was in his usual spot, typing away on the computer.
“Any chance you could help cover the register while I take off for a bit? Michelle is busy helping Katie.”
Cole looked over and nodded. “Of course.”
Cole followed Eli out of the office and took his place near the register. Eli went back to the cafe counter where Katie slid him a to-go cup of coffee and a takeout box.
“This is her favorite,” Katie said with a wink.
Eli smiled. “Thanks, Katie. I owe you one.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Eli went outside to his car and set the drink in his cupholder and the takeout box on his passenger seat.
Then he drove to Molly’s place. He wasn’t entirely sure it was a great idea, but it felt great in the moment.
He needed to see her. Going from seeing her nearly every day to not was driving him crazy.
If he stayed in the bookstore any longer, he would lose it.
He found a parking spot outside her apartment building and grabbed the items he got for her before walking up to her door and knocking.
It only took a moment before she was pulling the door open. Her eyes widened when she saw him, and she immediately crossed her arms over her chest. “Eli, what are you doing here?”
She wore a pair of plaid pajama pants and an oversized sweatshirt.
Her hair was tossed up in a ponytail, and there wasn’t any makeup on her face, only a green mask.
He had grown up with three sisters and was used to seeing the strange things women did during their time off that he didn’t bat an eye.
She was relaxing, and he was happy for her.
“I brought you coffee and a pastry,” he said.
Her eyes darted to the items in his hands, and she relaxed. “Come on in. Don’t mind me.” She gestured to her face.
“I have sisters. I’ve seen it all.” He set her items on her kitchen counter and then turned to face her. Before he could talk himself out of it, he stepped closer and pulled her into his arms. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she said softly. She craned her head back and looked up at him. “I’m trying not to get my mask on you.”
He laughed. “It’s fine.” He stepped away and looked around her living room.
There was a movie paused on the TV, and several nail polish bottles were sitting on her coffee table.
A sketchpad sat open with a pencil on top of it.
Something had been drawn, but he couldn’t make out what from where he stood.
He tipped his head toward it. “You draw?”
“Oh, uh, kind of? I’ve never done it seriously. It’s just for fun.”
He gestured toward it. “May I?”
“Sure.”
Eli walked over to the coffee table and picked up the sketchpad after moving the pencil to the side. She had sketched the bookstore and cafe. Through the window, a person stood holding a book. A person who looked a lot like him.
“Wow.”
She stepped up beside him and looked at the sketch. “Do you like it?”
He looked over at her. “Molly, this is incredible. You’re very talented.”
She shrugged. “It was just something I used to do after work to unwind before bed.”
“Have you ever considered making art and selling it?”
“Not really, no. I have been interested in making it digital, but it isn’t really something I’ve looked into. I’ve never really had the time.”
He knew something about that. His mind was constantly running with work.
He forced himself to make time to read, which was how he would unwind.
But it was also for work as well. He typically read the newer releases so they could promote them in the store and have staff recommendations.
He always noticed more people would buy books if he could tell them how he felt about them.
So, while he enjoyed it, it also felt like a necessity.
“I can’t understand that.” He glanced at his watch and frowned. “I should probably get back.”
“Thank you for bringing me a coffee and pastry. It was very thoughtful.”
He stepped forward and tugged her into a hug, not caring if he got her mask on his clothes, and then kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“See you then.” She smiled up at him and then walked him to the door once he reluctantly stepped away.
He forced himself to leave her place and get back into his car. Part of him wanted to take the rest of the day off and hang out with her, but he hadn’t a clue if she also wanted that. He also didn’t want to put that on his siblings unexpectedly.
When he walked back into the bookstore, he stopped by the cafe. Katie looked at him with an expectant smile on her face.
“Thank you. You’re the best,” he said.
She smiled even wider. “You’re welcome.”