Page 76 of Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar 2)

“Me too.”

“I’m glad he finally had the guts to ask you out.”

“Actually,” I splashed some cream in my coffee and took it over to the counter, “I asked him out.”

“You did? That’s so . . . bold and modern. I’m impressed.”

“Thanks.” I smiled. “It was time.”

“Yes, it was. I’m happy for you, and in my opinion, it’s exactly what you need.”

I’d come into the restaurant last week to tell Poppy that my fling with Finn was over. I’d expected some disappointment, maybe some shock. Except she hadn’t been surprised because Finn had already told her about the kids finding us in bed. The day it had happened, they’d had one of their lunches together and he’d confessed everything.

It was how she’d heard about the divorce too. Finn seemed to know the conversations I didn’t want to have with Poppy and had them for me.

He saved me from having to cry in front of her.

Crying in front of people, even my best friend, was something I tried my hardest to avoid. My mother had people crying to her all day long. When I was a kid, I remembered her coming home on more than one occasion and saying how happy she was to not have anyone cry to her for a few hours.

Mom loved her job. She loved helping people, but I could see how having everyone else’s burdens and tears unloaded on you would be draining. So I spared her mine. And over the years, it had become a habit.

I’d cried more over the letters this past month than I had in years. It was another reason ending my affair with Finn had been the smart choice.

“So what’s the plan for today?” I asked Poppy after making my own latte.

“Well, I think I’m finally caught up from the celebration. The fridges are stocked again. Dora was a champ and wrapped a ton of silverware last night on her shift. She even deep cleaned the bathrooms.”

“I love her. I wish we weren’t going to lose her so soon.”

“Me too. Stupid college. Stupid dreams.”

I giggled. “Right? Why would she want to go be a successful lawyer when she could keep working here for the rest of her life? It’s selfish really.”

“Completely.” Poppy laughed. “We should ask her if she has any younger friends who want to take her spot.”

“Way ahead of you. She’s already asking around.”

“I should have known.” Poppy went back to her quiche. “You’re always ahead. I’m not actually sure how Finn managed Alcott without you.”

My smile faded. “He figured it out.”

He hadn’t really needed me there, after all.

Poppy’s phone rang and she picked it up, smiling as she answered, “Hi, Dad.”

The joy on her face disappeared two seconds later. The color drained from her cheeks, the light in her blue eyes went out.

Cole.

No. No, the universe wasn’t this cruel. It wouldn’t take one of Poppy’s loves and then steal the other too.

I went around the counter, rushing to her side as David’s voice relayed information rapid-fire. Except it wasn’t Cole’s name I kept hearing through the phone’s speaker.

It was Finn’s.

The world tilted under my feet, and I stumbled sideways, gripping the counter for balance. My free hand dove into my pocket, searching for my phone, but came out empty. My purse. My phone was in my purse.

I kept one hand on the counter as I went around to the other side, dropping to my knees as I dumped out lip gloss and sunglasses and two of Max’s Hot Wheels onto the floor, searching for my phone.