Page 12 of Charming Crosschecks

Gerry blinked, his surprise giving way to childlike delight. It had been over a month since he’d had anything sugary, and with the crunches, the crazy yoga poses, and as much as he hated to admit it – her expertise with the weight machines, he was starting to lose a little and getting toned.

“You got me…a Crumbl cookie? For real?”

Molly’s gaze softened as she explained, “We’re celebrating, and you’ve earned it. Today was a hard practice; you deserve a treat.”

“She’s sweet on you, man…” Coeur snickered, slapping him on the shoulder.

“No, she’s not!” Gerry huffed in disbelief, eyeing the cookie suspiciously. “Is this thing diet? Gluten-free? Made with spinach? Or maybe some kind of beet and tapioca glue? Real pumpkin, but like, organic?” He gave her a pointed stare, one eyebrow raised. “This is a joke, isn’t it?”

“It’s a ‘real’Crumbl cookie,” Molly said, rolling her eyes, “… and you’re welcome.”

With a final, almost exasperated look, he saw Molly set down the cookie without another word, turned, and left the room, her footsteps echoing in the hall. She looked frustrated, disgusted, and… hurt?

Had he hurt her feelings?

After all the fighting, arguing, and snarling at each other – the stupid cookie was what bothered her? She practically tried to poison him with those stupid ‘frownies.’Of course, he was concerned about what was in the cookie. Maybe it wasn’t a Crumbl… but a ‘Fumbl’or some other pretend name designed to get people to buy it.

The moment the door shut behind Molly, he felt almost sick to his stomach. What if she was actually trying to be nice? Looking around the room, he saw their faces as they stared at him, looking almost disappointed or concerned.

“You should go say ‘thank you’ to her,” Brandi encouraged with a nod toward the door as if to say ‘Go!’… and saw a few other guys nod – including Lafreniere, who gave him a thumbs-up before angling his head. What washe approving of, saying ‘thank you’? Of course, he’d say ‘thank you’ because he was raised better than that.

… Even if my actions when she’s around don’t show it,Gerry thought, silently getting to his feet. He felt almost humiliated and embarrassed for being such a jerk, but the guys were razzing him about a crush that was never going to freakin’ happen.

Heworkedwith Molly.

She had to hate him by now—didn’t she?

Plus, it would never work out, even if she gave him the time of day. She would end up disappointed in him at some point or another – and he wasn’t sure he could deal with someone so beautiful or perfect, hovering and commenting on every single thing he did. It would eat away at the fragile confidence that he had in himself.

As Gerry walked down the hallway toward Molly’s office, the muffled clatter of something banging around made him hesitate mid-step. The sound of shuffling and objects moving grew louder, and his brow furrowed in curiosity and concern. Taking a breath, he pushed open the door. The moment was electric—both of them jumped as if caught in a charged current.

Molly slammed a desk drawer shut with startling force, her eyes snapping up to meet his in surprise. Her face was flushed, her expression guarded.

“What?” she demanded hotly, her voice thick with emotion. “Come to gloat?”

Her tone was a slap, sharp and unyielding, but Gerry didn’t flinch from the fire in her eyes. He stared at the box on her desk, clearly filled with personal effects, his chest tightening.

“What are you doing?” he asked simply, his voice even but carrying an undercurrent of disbelief.

Molly’sgaze darted away for a moment before snapping back to him, defensive and biting. “It’s none of your business. Are you looking for another kettlebell to steal? Want my stapler? How about my notes on you so you can light a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and celebrate that the witch is gone!”

Her words ricocheted off the office walls, each one a dagger that found its mark. Gerry felt them dig into his chest as he tried to absorb their weight. He’d done this. Their relentless sparring, the sharp words traded back and forth—it had pushed them to the brink. He just never thought it would be her who broke first.

“Are you quitting?” he asked, his voice dropping to a raw, quiet tone, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the moment.

“One of us is,” she muttered, her chin trembling. Her voice cracked, barely holding itself together. “I know my place, Gerry. I know what you bring to the team. If we can’t work together, then I understand. Out of the two of us, we both know I’m the one who is replaceable.”

Gerry’s stomach twisted painfully at her words. “I’m not trading,” he said quickly, his voice insistent, though the statement only seemed to wound her further. Her shoulders sagged under an invisible weight as if his words had confirmed her worst fears.

“Molly?” He stepped closer to the desk, hesitating, his hand reaching out tentatively. “Maybe we should start over. I don’t want you to quit because of me. I just… I just need you to not be so disappointed. Or make me feel like…”

Her head snapped up, her beautiful blue eyes locking onto his, wide with surprise and something deeper—an aching vulnerability he hadn’t expected.

“I’m not disappointed, Gerry,” she whispered, her voice soft yet insistent. “I’m just trying to help…”

“With myweight,” he muttered, the words heavy with resentment. He caught himself before his frustration boiled over, watching as understanding dawned in her expression.

“You think I’m…” She trailed off, taking his outstretched hand in hers. Her grip was hesitant but firm. “I’m Molly, and the biggest idiot in the world.”

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