Page 123 of Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar 2)

“Okay, I’m going to walk away from this.” I tossed a thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to do a quick sweep of the tables then grab the laptop and get caught up on some emails.”

“I’m going to head back to the kitchen,” Poppy said then looked at Cole. “Are you heading back to work?”

He nodded. “As soon as we declare a winner here, I’m taking off.”

“Okay. Come say good-bye before you go.” She walked over and kissed him, melting against his chest as he slanted his head and deepened it.

They were adorable. And lucky. So damn lucky.

I left them all and went through the swinging door to the kitchen. The morning had been busy, the restaurant filled with college students. Half the tables were occupied with textbooks and laptops as kids studied, so I hadn’t spent much time in the office, sticking out front to help.

I settled in behind the desk, opting to sort through mail first to snag any bills. Mostly, the stack was junk. Poppy’s favorite kitchen supply company had sent her a new catalog that she’d be drooling over later.

My hands paused on a letter toward the bottom of the pile. It wasn’t addressed to the restaurant but to me. And it was in Finn’s handwriting.

“What is this?” I grumbled. Weren’t we done with the letters? Seriously, I needed to be done with the letters.

The other mail was tossed to the side as I tore open the envelope’s seam and pulled out the single piece of paper.

My jaw fell open as I took it in.

Dinner? I turned the page over, but the back was blank. Then I read it again. Why would he want me to go to dinner? And why would he invite me with a letter?

I stood from the desk and hurried out of the office, letter in hand.

Poppy hadn’t made it to the kitchen yet. She was laughing with Cole as Randall lifted his hands in victory.

Jimmy was breathing hard, his face a shade of green as he clutched his stomach. “Nan is a sweetheart, but no woman is worth this kind of pain. I’m already gassy.”

Randall chuckled.

“Some women are worth it all,” Cole said, pulling Poppy into his side.

I opened my mouth to pull Poppy aside but stopped short. Everyone was in such a good mood, despite the foul odor creeping into the air. This letter, though not bad, would take the spotlight.

Randall slid from his chair, his arms still raised and started dancing around the floor.

“For a guy who uses a cane, you sure are nimble,” I teased.

His response was a smirk and to gyrate his hips.

“That Nan, she’s a lucky woman,” Poppy teased.

Cole let out a catcall before belly laughing as he got out his phone to record the show.

I folded up the letter, joining in the laughter, determined not to let it bother me today. I wasn’t sure what Finn was playing at, but today was one of the first normal days I’d had in a while.

I needed normal, not more letters to confuse my emotions.

With the letter folded in half and shoved in my back pocket, I turned to go back to the office but stopped when Mom’s voice carried through the restaurant. “Molly.”

“Hi, Mom.” I abandoned the kitchen door with a smile and met Mom in the middle of the restaurant for a hug. “What a surprise. What brings you here today?”

She smiled. “I hadn’t been in for lunch in a while, and I had a client cancel their session. I thought I’d come and say hello.”

“Wonderful. I’ll sit with you. What would you like?”

“A salad, please. Whichever you’d recommend.”