Page 97 of The Last Autograph

“Is that right? Thats what the wife was still telling people about us when she was six months pregnant with Poppy. We’d been together for years at that point.”

“And how long has it been now?”

“Next month is our twentieth anniversary.”

“I hope to have a love story like yours one day.”

“Hmm. Careful what you wish for, kid.” Winston stood. “Right, that’s enough touchy-feely crap for one day. I have work to do.”

Deep down, Winston was such a nice guy, and as he walked out the door, Molly couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.

She was about to get back to work when Nathan appeared in front of her desk, his eyes wide. “OMG. Do I have the tea, or do I have the tea?”

“Okay, spill it.”

“You’ll never guess what I’ve just heard.”

Molly chuckled. “Should I even try?”

“Alexia Cunningham’s been arrested for dealing in a Class A drug.”

Her eyes went as wide as Nathan’s. “What? No way!”

“Yes way. Stupid bitch.”

“When was this?”

“A week or so ago.”

Molly leaned back in her chair and pushed out a breath. She wondered if Jake knew. “It’s sad really, isn’t it?”

“Nope. She got exactly what was coming to her. And not only that, word is her father’s refusing to post bail.”

Settled in her hotel room overlooking the Auckland Viaduct, Molly reclined on the bed and picked up her phone for her usual text banter with CeCe while some TV cooking show played in the background.

Molly:How’s your day been?

CeCe:Interesting. You?

Molly:Let’s just say a glass of wine would be good right now.

CeCe:Rough then?

Molly:More surreal. I saw Jake this morning.

CeCe:How was he?

Molly:??? Flirty.

CeCe:Typical male then.

Molly:Anyhoo, he’s going ahead with his SpinWeb contract but I didn’t make the cut. He wants someone else.

CeCe:Two words. Business and pleasure.

Molly:Haha.

Ever since Winston left her desk that morning, Molly had been mulling over that very cliché. They were wise words. She’d seen too many businesses ruined by affairs and romantic relationships gone bad.

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