“Today was a good day.” Molly grabbed her rag and started wiping down the counter.
“A very good day.” With the exception of running low on food, I couldn’t imagine the opening having gone any better. Customers had been happy. Jars had been scraped clean. And I had found my rhythm quickly, balancing work in the kitchen and managing the counter with Molly.
And though he was a bit cantankerous, Randall had been a welcome and comforting presence today. Anytime I’d gotten flustered or started to stress, I’d found his eyes waiting for me with a small nod. His silent encouragement had saved me today.
Molly finished wiping the counter and started on the tables. “I’m glad we’re bringing in a part-time helper soon. I don’t think I can handle six in the morning until after eight at night on a regular basis. I’m dead on my feet.”
“Me too.” Except I’d been here since four and would probably stay until well after midnight.
As Molly cleaned, I took a tub of silverware and black paper napkins to a table and collapsed into the seat. Closing my eyes, I relaxed for a few seconds before getting back to work, rolling the silverware in the napkins and finishing them with a white paper ring.
Molly finished up with the tables and came to sit down, helping me with the silverware. “I’m going home, taking a long, hot bath and then going straight to bed. For once, I’m glad Finn has the kids at his place so I can crash.”
Finn had come in earlier with Kali and Max so they could eat dinner. When Molly had joined them, I’d gotten a momentary swell of hope that the four of them might have a nice family meal, but then Finn had squashed it. He’d turned his chair sideways, away from Molly, with a two-foot gap between them so he wouldn’t have to make eye contact. He’d literally given her the cold shoulder.
“Did you and Finn talk at all during dinner?” I asked.
Molly shook her head. “No. He won’t talk to me. I’ve tried for months but . . . you know. He’ll never forgive me.”
I gave her a sad smile. She’d given up hope, but I hadn’t. Not when there was still love there.
Because Finn and Molly did love one another. Anyone who spent thirty seconds with them could feel it. But their marriage hadn’t been easy. A year ago, the two of them had been going through a rough patch. Finn had been working a ton and not spending much time at home. When he was there, he’d take his work stress out on Molly. They’d been fighting so much, Finn had actually moved out. They’d agreed on a separation and therapy, but Finn had never found the time to meet with their counselor.
Then Molly had made a mistake.
She’d been lonely and certain her marriage was over. She’d gone to a bachelorette party, gotten blitzed and had sex with some random guy from the bar. She’d messed up—big time—but to her credit, she’d owned her mistake. She’d told Finn the truth and begged for forgiveness. He’d told her to get a lawyer instead.
I’d had a hard time believing my friend could do that to my brother. I’d been angry and said some things I hadn’t meant, but then I’d apologized and forgiven her. Things had been so hard for her when Finn had moved out. She’d been devastated.
So I’d assumed my role as Switzerland, supporting Molly as my best friend and Finn as my one and only sibling. Meanwhile, they were miserable. Finn was punishing Molly for one mistake. Molly was still punishing herself for losing the love of her life.
“I’m sorry, Molly.”
She shrugged. “It’s my fault. If I were in his place, if he had cheated, I’d be ruined.”
Cheated. Why did she always say cheated? I hated that word. And the way she said it was worse than any four-letter curse. Molly wasn’t a cheater. Molly was just human, dealing as best she could with a broken heart. “You weren’t together.”
“We were still married. I was—am—still in love with him. I understand why he’s hurt and angry. Some mistakes you just can’t forgive.”
Or forget.
Molly would regret that mistake for the rest of her life.
“Enough about that.” Molly forced a smile, steering the conversation away from her and Finn like usual. “How was your karate class last night?”
Unlike my brother, Molly was more accepting about my decision to work through Jamie’s list.
“It was . . . interesting.”
So interesting that I’d stayed up most of the night thinking about that class. My mind had run on a loop all night, but not about karate. About Cole Goodman. It had certainly been a shock to see him again, but more surprising was the rush of feelings he’d invoked.
Feelings—chemical, electric feelings—I hadn’t had in a long time.
“So? What happened? Did you learn how to kick some ass?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m an expert ass kicker,” I deadpanned, then laughed. “I’m just glad that I survived the workout. To me, that’s a win.”
“Did you mark it off the list?”
I nodded. “Last night when I got home.”
“Are you okay?”
“I think so. I cried like usual, but when the tears stopped, I actually felt kind of good.”
“I’m glad. That’s what you were going for, right? Some closure?”
I nodded and rolled another bundle of silverware. “I’ve actually been thinking about trying to go through the list more quickly.”
Finn’s big objection was that going through Jamie’s list would drag on for years, and I could see his point. Now that I was starting to cross off more items, I was feeling motivated to keep going.
“How quickly?” Molly asked.
“A year? Maybe less?”
She thought about it for a moment. “It’s ambitious. Do you think it’s even possible?”
The biggest item on Jamie’s list had been the restaurant. It had also been the item requiring the most money. For the others, I mostly needed time. Luckily, some items I’d already set in
