Page 45 of The Last Autograph

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, Molly?—”

“Nope. I’ve done enough looking for one day.” She stepped back, her hand on the door handle. “Thanks for the gift, but you really should go now if you know what’s good for you.”

He pressed his lips together, suppressing a smile perhaps. “I deserved that.”

“Yes, I think so too. Pleased we’re on the same page. Goodnight.”

Molly closed the door with gentle force. As she heard him walk away, she squeezed her eyes shut and stood for a moment, the brown paper bag clenched in front of her. She knew what would be inside, but right now, Chef Sinclair’séclairs au chocolatfailed to woo her.

Instead, she walked over to the kitchen, placed the bag on the counter, and picked up her phone to call her cousin.

“Hey, you,” CeCe said. “What’s up?”

“I seriously need to sort my shit out.”

“Why, what’s happened now?”

“Well… I almost kissed him. Or rather, he almost kissed me. Well, I got the impression he was going to, anyway.”

“Who?”

“Jake off-limits Sinclair.”

“What stopped you? You’re both adults.”

“Yes, but it’s kinda macabre when you think about it, isn’t it?”

“I guess. So, tell me everything.”

“Well… we were at the patisserie. He was teaching me how to make a sexy choux, and his mother walked in on us. She was horrible. Accused me of trying to drive a wedge between the family and asked how he could do that to Ava.”

“Ava? Who’s Ava?”

“I have no idea. Girlfriend maybe?”

“Oh shit. Are you okay?”

“Embarrassed but fine. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I stay away from unsuitable men?”

“Maybe the attraction’s too strong to resist.”

“I’m a responsible adult. You’d think I’d know better. Do better. Anyway, he called me confused, and if I wasn’t before, I sure am now.”

“I don’t blame you. And what on earth is a sexy choux?”

Molly sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“Clearly. Anyway, how was Tulloch Point?”

“Good. I found a USB stick of photos from my summer with Jesse. They’d make a great photo book for his parents, but after meeting Hazel the Horrible, I’m having second thoughts.”

“Actually, that’s a nice idea. You still should. Be the bigger person.”

“You think?”

“Go on, you can do it.”

They talked for a while longer before saying goodnight. Molly set her phone on the island and opened her laptop.

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