Page 21 of Tangled Up In You

"Hello? Earth to Adam."

He turned to see his younger sister Lizzie's bright, inquisitive gaze. "Sorry. Did you say something?"

"I just said hello. Who are you staring at? Oh, wait, it has to be Chloe's friend, Molly." She gave him a knowing smile. "She's very pretty. And friendly too. She told me she's taking over Phoebe's health and wellness store."

He cleared his throat and deliberately focused on Lizzie. "Right. How are things going with you and the inn and with Justin?"

"Good, great, and amazing," she said with a radiant smile.

"I'm glad to hear that." Lizzie had always been a positive person, but since she'd married Justin, she was even happier.

"I just wish things were going better for you, Adam. How's the foot?"

"It's fine. No one needs to worry about me."

"You always say that. But it's difficult not to worry about you. Your job can be dangerous. You almost died saving that little girl."

"But I didn't. I just got banged up."

"Did you ever catch the driver of the car that almost killed both of you?"

"No. The car was found abandoned on the north shore. It had been stolen from an elderly man, who had no clue it was even gone until it was returned to him."

"So nothing will happen to the driver?"

"Not until we get another lead."

"That's disappointing."

"Yeah," he said shortly. "But I haven't given up."

"You never do." Lizzie's smile widened as she glanced past him. "Hi, Molly. Have you met my brother Adam?"

"I have." Molly gave him a tentative look. "Hello, Adam."

"You've met?" Lizzie asked in surprise.

"Yesterday," Molly replied. "I literally knocked your brother over. I hope your foot isn't any worse today."

As he gazed into her eyes, he found himself suddenly short of breath. He'd spent most of the day convincing himself Molly had not been that pretty, that sexy, that kissable, but he'd been lying to himself. She was all that and more. And he really wanted to kiss her again.

"It's okay," he said, realizing he needed to say something. "How's the store?"

"I've made some progress. I probably should have kept working, but Chloe invited me to meet up with some of my old friends. I didn't realize it was at your sister's house until I got here. I haven't met Chelsea yet."

"She's having a bout of morning sickness, but hopefully she'll be out soon. Hannah is with her."

"I'll check on them," Lizzie said.

As Lizzie moved into the house, Molly gave him another questioning glance. "Is it weird for you that I'm here? I don't want you to think I'm stalking you."

"It's not weird. And I don't think that. You're more than welcome. It's good that you reconnected with Chloe."

"She is just the same as she always was. Chloe was one of the first girls I met when I moved to Whisper Lake. She lived across the street from where my mom and I were staying, and she took me under her wing the first day I went to high school. I was very grateful. Then she introduced me to all her friends, who were just as nice to me."

"She has always been very inclusive."

A sudden squeal of surprise and delight interrupted their conversation. He turned around to see Hannah run out of the house. She moved straight toward Molly.

---