Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar, #2)(50)

The morning was quiet as I sat at the kitchen table, eating my breakfast alone. I’d gotten up early, unable to sleep, and made myself some oatmeal. It was Finn’s favorite, which was not why I’d made it. It was my favorite too.

With the bowl empty, I stared at my fingers. You could barely see the indentation from my wedding rings now. It had taken a long time to fade, or maybe it only seemed like a long time because my finger looked naked without my wedding and engagement rings.

They were upstairs in a small box in my dresser. I’d taken them off three days after the divorce. I probably would have kept them on longer but I hadn’t wanted Finn to see them. He’d taken his off the day before we’d signed the papers. I’d waited until it was official.

For a year, I’d slip them on occasionally. Usually on nights when I was alone and missed him terribly. But I hadn’t had that urge for ages. Why did I want to this morning?

I shoved that temptation from my mind and got up to rinse my bowl and leave for work. I’d be early this morning and that was fine by me.

I went out the front door instead of the garage, wanting to check the mail before leaving. I walked down the porch steps, but instead of heading to the mailbox on the street, I paused and looked the other direction.

Gavin’s lights were on. The blinds were open to his office and he was already sitting at his desk, his eyes glued to a computer screen.

Forget the mailbox. I walked across my lawn, crossing the invisible boundary onto his, and marched up to his front door, not letting myself hesitate a second before knocking. I shifted from one foot to the other as his footsteps approached from inside.

When he opened the door, I forced a breathless smile. “Hey.”

“Hey.” His eyebrows came together as he glanced over at my house. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I said too loud. My heart was racing. “It’s good. Great. I was, um . . .” I took a deep breath. “I was just wondering if you’d like to go out to dinner with me. On a date.”

“Oh.” Surprise flashed across his face. “A date?”

“A date.”

“I, uh . . . yeah.” He adjusted his glasses on his face. “I’d like that. But I have to be honest. I’ve noticed your ex’s truck in the driveway. A lot.”

“He’s been working on the yard.”

“I noticed that too. Not exactly what I’m talking about though.”

Damn it. No doubt Gavin had noticed Finn’s truck—and Finn missing from the yard—because he’d been in my bed.

“The truth is, Finn and I were together for a long time. We didn’t exactly end on the best of terms. I think we both had some unfinished feelings to work through. But it’s over now.”

“You’re sure? Because, Molly, I like you. I’ve liked you since the day I moved in next door.”

“Thank you.” A blush crawled up my cheeks. How long had it been since a man had said he liked me? A guy who was kind and sweet. And handsome too.

“But.”

“Uh-oh,” I groaned. “Had to throw that in there, didn’t you?”

“But . . .” Gavin chuckled. “I don’t want to step into the middle of something that’s unfinished.”

“I get that. But it’s finished. For good.”

Saying those words stung, more than they should have. But it was time to move forward, painful or not. It was time to take enough steps forward that I’d stop looking backward.

“Okay.” Gavin grinned. It was a little lopsided and completely cute. “Then I’d love to go to dinner. On a date.”

“Really?” I’d just asked a guy on a date and he’d said yes. I smiled as my confidence soared.

“Really. What day?”

“Good question.” I thought through my schedule. “I don’t have the kids tomorrow. That’s kind of short notice though.”

“I could do tomorrow.”

“Then it’s a date. Seven?”

“Seven.” The phone rang inside and Gavin hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “That’s my first morning conference call.”

“I’ll let you get to it. See you.”

“See you.” His smile stretched wider. “Tomorrow.”

I skipped down the porch steps. The adrenaline rushing through my veins made me want to run over to my house, but I forced my feet to walk.

I have a date.

Poppy was going to be so proud.

I decided to skip the mail. If one of Finn’s letters was in there, it would have to wait. I wasn’t going to let it taint this feeling. Because this morning was about me, not Finn, so I hurried inside and grabbed my things then drove to work.

Poppy was sitting at the counter when I got there, a steaming latte in front of her and a jar with her delicious spinach and onion quiche. “Hey. You’re here early.”

“I was up.” I shrugged, going to the coffee pot. A few tables were occupied by happy customers, so before the morning rush hit, I took the few moments alone with my best friend to talk. “So, I have a date tomorrow.”

She stopped chewing, her eyes blinking twice like she hadn’t heard me right. “A date?”

“Yes. With Gavin.”

A flicker of disappointment hit her eyes, but it was gone fast, vanishing with her wide smile. “I like Gavin.”