Page 126 of Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar 2)

I nodded. “I need you to tell me something as my best friend and not as Finn’s sister.”

“Okay.”

“Is it crazy that I love Finn?”

“Maybe,” she answered. “But I’d rather be crazy in love than just crazy.”

I giggled, my shoulders relaxing away from my ears. Leave it to Poppy to make me smile. I walked to the table, dropping my elbows to the top and resting my face in my hands. “I don’t think I’ll have the mother-daughter relationship I’ve always wanted.”

“Sure you will. With Kali.”

My heart swelled as I pictured Kali’s face from this morning, her smile wide and bright as she walked away from the Jeep to start her school day. “God, you’re so right. I feel like I’ve been trying for years to build this easy dialogue with my mom and it’s just . . . not easy. It never has been.”

Mom lectured. I listened. I placated her because it was too exhausting to debate with her. I’d learned that at an early age. Mom had an answer for everything. Rarely was it You’re right, Molly.

“I’m tired of trying,” I admitted.

The door swung open with a squeak, and I braced, expecting Mom to storm through with some choice words.

Instead, Finn strolled inside. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I stood up from the table. “Was my mom still out there when you came in?”

“Yes.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“Yes.”

I gave him the side-eye. “What did you say?”

“I started with hello, then I told her that shade of navy looked good on her but hustled in here before she could say something to piss me off.”

“Thanks for that. It’s probably best that only one of us fights with her today.”

He blinked at me twice. “You got into a fight with your mom? Like a real fight?”

“I don’t know if it was really a fight,” I told Finn. “But she made me mad, and I drew a line in the sand.”

“I’m going to head out front and keep an eye on things. Let you guys talk.” Poppy wiped her hands on her apron, then she squeezed Finn’s arm as she passed by and out of the kitchen.

“Let’s go to the office.”

He followed me down the hallway, taking the seat across from me at the desk, leaning his elbows on his knees to give me his full attention. “What happened?”

“Mom doesn’t like you.”

Finn chuckled. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I guess I thought that someday she would. But I see now she won’t. I made it clear that she can keep those opinions to herself because they aren’t welcome in my presence, that I’m on your side and she needs to be respectful.”

“You stuck up for me with your mom?”

“I did.” I nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.”

“Wow.” He sat back in the chair. “I, um . . . thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry that you’re struggling right now. If there is anything I can do to help, even if it’s just to listen, I’m here.”