Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar, #2)(68)

When Ashley gave me the go-ahead to start bulking up, I dove in, doubling up on protein and throwing myself into these sessions. My arms were getting stronger. So were my legs. I’d even begun to gain back some definition in my abs.

It wasn’t lost on me how much Molly loved my flat stomach. Her nails had always lingered in the dips of my washboard abs. If I had the chance to get her into bed, to win her trust and heart once more, I wanted every bit of stamina I’d once had to make her toes curl.

“Done.” I breathed heavily after finishing the last rep. “What’s next?”

Ashley smiled. “I think that’s it for today. Don’t overdo it.”

“I don’t want to back off.”

“You’re doing great, Finn. That’s plenty for today.” Her hand rested on my shoulder. “Though, if you want to hang out with me, you’re my last patient for the day. I was thinking of going downtown and grabbing a drink after work.”

“Uh . . .” A rush of panic hit as I scrambled for what to say. Ashley was nice. She was beautiful and the hints she’d been dropping hadn’t been missed. But I’d hoped she’d picked up on the fact that I only had eyes for Molly. Besides, wasn’t there some rule about not dating patients? I wasn’t sure how that worked for physical therapists.

“Sorry,” a voice called behind me. “He’s already got a date.”

My head whipped around as Cole walked up. He’d taken the afternoon off and brought me here today because Molly and Poppy were both busy at the restaurant. I’d planned to buy him a beer for shuttling me here. Now I’d buy him two for coming to my rescue.

“Bummer.” Ashley pouted. “Maybe another time.”

“I don’t think so,” I told her, watching her face fall. “Sorry, Ashley.”

She shrugged and put on a fake smile. “It’s cool. See you next session.”

“All done?” Cole asked.

“All done.” I nodded, then looked at Ashley. “Thanks again.”

“Bye, Finn.”

I grabbed my crutch and followed Cole out the door. I’d decided last week, after about two days of dealing with both crutches, that it was more of a pain in the ass than it was worth. I’d given Max one crutch that he’d been pretending was a laser gun.

“Thanks for that,” I said as we walked outside.

Cole laughed. “You were white as a sheet. I’m guessing there’s no interest in dating Ashley.”

“None.” My heart was already taken.

We got into his truck without much delay, then he turned it on and rolled down our windows. Fall in Montana was a short season, warm during the day and cool at night. Soon, we’d be dealing with snow and ice, but for now, there wasn’t a better way to travel through town than with the windows down.

This weather always made me long for the outdoors. I loved working in the field this time of year. Normally, I adjusted my schedule so I could be out with the crews, planting trees or laying sod. There was just something about working with the warm sun on my back, sweat dripping down my body, that made me feel at peace. Made me feel like I was where I needed to be.

“Damn, I want to get back to work.”

Cole chuckled. “Soon enough. What did the doctors say?”

“A week or two longer with the crutch and boot, then I can drive again. If PT keeps going well, I should be able to ease into work at the end of the month.”

Work would be dwindling by then, but anything was better than nothing.

“Nice. Are you still up for grabbing a beer?”

“Absolutely.”

Cole and I tried to meet up for beers once a month. In the fall, we spent our Saturdays watching Montana State football games together. Since he’d come into Poppy’s life, the two of us had become fast friends.

Besides Poppy, I considered him my best friend. He was so solid, so levelheaded. Whenever I needed advice, about a girlfriend or a problem at work, Cole was there.

Maybe if I’d known him when Molly and I were going through our divorce, he could have saved me from myself. He could have slapped some sense into me when I’d started pushing Molly away.

We drove downtown, searching for a rare parking spot. College kids were back in town and Bozeman was bustling. After a few laps around the block, we found a space and headed for our favorite bar. Cole and I settled into an outdoor seat and ordered, and the waitress brought over a local beer soon after.

“I miss beer.” I sighed after that first sip. “Molly only ever has wine.” She used to keep beer in the house. When I lived there.

“How’s it going with you two? I bet it’s not easy having to live with your ex-wife. Ready to kill each other yet?”

“No, actually, it’s going good. I, uh . . .” I took another drink, not sure exactly how to word this. “I’m going to try and win her back.”

Cole’s glass, which had been halfway to his mouth, froze in midair. “Win her back?”

“I love her. Always have. Always will.”

He set his glass down, studying me for a few long moments. As a detective for the Bozeman Police Department, his stare was always unnerving. It was like he could look right into my mind and pluck out my thoughts.

It was strange that Poppy hadn’t told him about our conversation and her advice to ruin my existing life. Maybe she didn’t think I’d go through with it. Maybe she didn’t believe I’d win.