Not Pretending Anymore(29)
Our eyes locked for a few seconds.
“Yup.” She smiled. “All good.”
I changed the subject. “How’s your dad?”
Her expression darkened as she sat at the edge of the bed. “I spoke to him today. He didn’t sound too great, to be honest. His voice was really hoarse. I’m getting scared.”
Shit. “Try to think positive. I know it’s hard, but an optimistic outlook is better for everyone. Your dad will feel a lot better if he doesn’t think you’re down about him.”
“I know. It’s just so hard.” Tears began to form in her eyes. “Losing him is a real possibility. And I don’t think I’ve fully grasped that.”
This was my fault; I’d brought up the subject.
Sitting up, I moved in closer, wiping the tears from her eyes with my thumb. “I’m sorry, Mollz. I wish I could do something. I’d take the pain away if I could.”
“Thank you.” She wiped her eyes. “I started seeing a therapist.”
“Really? You didn’t tell me you were thinking of that. Good for you.”
“Well, strangely, it was the knowledge that my father had been going to therapy that gave me the courage to do it.”
“I’m proud of you. When did you start?”
“Just this week. I told her what Dad’s therapist said about my need for perfection. She agreed that the fact that those behaviors started after my dad left could mean there’s a correlation. She wants me to practice letting go gradually of some of those habits as a way of accepting that there’s no real control in life. She says that will also help my acceptance of his illness.”
“Like, what is she asking you to do?”
“That’s the thing—she didn’t suggest anything specific. I have to identify where I’m being controlling or seeking perfection and create my own exercises.” She tilted her head. “You got any ideas?”
“I’m sure I could come up with something.” I went with my first instinct, getting up off the bed and opening her top drawer.
“What are you doing?”
“Helping you.”
Without looking at the contents, I grabbed the clothes inside and tossed them into the air. Unfortunately, something that wasn’t clothing landed on the ground with the rest of the stuff—a fucking vibrator.
I lifted it off the ground. “Oh shit. I’m sorry. I never—”
She held out her hand. “Give me that, please.”
“I obviously didn’t—”
“I know you didn’t know. Just give it to me.”
Brushing off my hands, I announced, “I think that was enough of an exercise for this week.”
“Yeah. I’d have to agree.” She turned pink. “This one is good for a month!”
I wondered if I’d be able to think about anything else tonight besides Molly massaging her clit with that rubber dick.
CHAPTER 11
* * *
Molly
Will stood up from his seat as I entered Mykonos restaurant. “You look amazing, Molly.”
“Thank you,” I said, leaning in and accepting a kiss on the cheek.
Will looked great in a blue, collared shirt and khaki pants. It was always nice to see him out of his scrubs.
Sitting down, I took the napkin in front of me and placed it on my lap. “I’ve always wanted to try this place.”
He took a whiff of the air. “You can smell that the food is going to be amazing, can’t you?”
“Yeah, my stomach is growling.”
“You know…” he said. “I’m actually a quarter Greek.”
“No way!” I smiled.
The crowded restaurant was bustling. A band got ready to play in the corner, and the smell of garlic, mint, and other spices saturated the air. It was a delight for the senses. But mostly my eyes and ears were focused on the handsome doctor across from me.
Will ordered the moussaka, and I got a Greek salad with grilled chicken. We made easy conversation over the next hour. He shared some of his craziest labor stories, and we compared notes on our experiences working with certain colleagues. There was definitely no shortage of things to talk about, and I started to think there could definitely be a future for Will and me if every night were like tonight.
From time to time, my mind would drift to Declan, though. Knowing he was out with Julia for the first time since her breakup was definitely on my mind. I wondered if they were truly compatible, or if it was mainly about “the get” for him. I supposed only time would tell.
At one point, Will changed the subject, and it transformed the mood of the entire night.
“So, confession...” he said, wiping his mouth with the blue cloth napkin.
Fidgeting in my seat, I said, “Okay...”
“I’ve had a massive crush on you for some time.”
Feeling my cheeks heat, I said, “Wow. Well, thank you. I’ve definitely admired you as well.”
“As you probably know, I just got out of a relationship,” he added.
“Yup. I’m aware.”
“Part of the reason that relationship ended is because she wanted something I couldn’t give her right now.”