Page 32 of Ten Kisses

"So was everybody," I said. "It was my party. It's like a birthday party. Everyone stares at you."

"What's wrong with Salem looking at Molly?" Mom asked.

"Exactly!" Sara said. "He's great, Molly's great, it's all great, you all love him, and she met him at Camp Eden! It's perfect!" Her words were nice but her tone made it obvious that she was agitated.

"Whoa," Mom said, turning from the front seat and staring at Sara who is usually easy-going.

Sara put her face in her hands and peered at me through her fingers. She looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, but anyone but Salem, Molly. Please don't meet your next boyfriend at Camp Eden."

"Is Uncle Salem's Aunt Molly's boyfriend?" Ethan said, listening.

"No," I said.

Sara and Dad both said, "No," at the same time as me, and I didn't like that, so I cut my eyes at both of them.

"It's not that I like Salem, I just don't think anyone can tell me that I can't like him."

"I'm not telling you not to, I'm asking you nicely not to. There's a big difference."

Mom looked at me as if just thinking something for the first time. "Do you like Salem?"

"No, I'm just… I wouldn't try to tell Sara who she should and shouldn't date."

"Do you like him?" Sara said, looking at me and wearing a serious expression. I knew she was really affected by this. "Are you thinking about dating Salem now?" She stared at me and shook her head, looking discouraged. "I was just waiting for it to hit the fan after I heard about that girl getting married."

"What are you talking about?" I said.

"Isabel Love."

"What about her? "

"She married some musician."

"When?" I said.

"I don't know. I saw something about it a few days ago."

I sat back and looked out the window, gathering my thoughts and wondering if this could mean anything for me.

"I'm sorry," Sara said. "Salem made her that counter, and then when I heard about that girl getting married, I guess I was just on high-alert today."

"I was about to say… I didn't notice Molly even talking to Salem today," Mom said.

Sara sighed.

"And my Aunt Molly will kiss my Uncle Salem," Ethan said, giggling and covering his face after he said it.

"Oh, you think so?" I asked, turning and tickling him, squeezing his thigh. He giggled, and I was happy to get the chance to smile, even if it pushed my sister's buttons. I felt for her since she was so torn up about her own storybook ending, but I wasn't going to change my own path for her. I was in a great mood after hearing about Isabel, and I didn't pretend otherwise.

"You are so silly," I said to Ethan, not denying his prediction.

Chapter 12

Molly

We all went back to my brother's house after eating at Vinnie's. The plan was that everyone would leave soon, headed to their own homes, but we stayed for a while, gathered in his kitchen and living room.

"I need to use the restroom," I said casually, as if I was talking to myself. I scooted past Jenny and Lev and headed to the little half-bath near my brother's kitchen.

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