Page 31 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“You’re one to talk?” I quirk an eyebrow at her, attempting to change the topic to her.

“Well, at least I’m on the dating apps,” Molly replies with a chuckle, pointing to her phone.

The thought of being online is my own version of hell.

“How is that going?” I ask, picking up my cup and taking a sip of my tea. Happy to shift the conversation to her.

After she finishes washing her cup, she sits back down at the dining table opposite me.

“I’m sorting through the crap ones,” she replies with a wry smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“How bad are they?” I ask, genuinely curious about her experiences.

“You have no idea.” Her laughter fills the room.

Call me curious or naive, but I need to see what she’s talking about, but there’s no way I’ll be setting up my own profile just to find out. “Show me,” I urge.

She swipes open her phone and passes it to me, and I can’t help but to lean in to read the message bubble that sits on the screen.

Remember me? Oh, that's right I’ve only met you in my dreams.

I lift my eyes to her gaze.

“So cheesy,” I reply with a soft chuckle, handing the phone back to her.

“There’s more. Let me show you the one I got last night.” Molly eagerly scrolls through her messages to find the one she’s referring to.

When she turns the phone screen to me, I read the message out loud.

Is your name Google? Because you've got everything I’ve been searching for.

I scrunch my face in disbelief. “Why are men so cringy?” I wonder aloud.

“No idea,” she replies with a shrug, a playful grin tugging at her lips, “but with shit like that, they’ll be single forever.”

I finish my tea and take it to the sink. “True. Well, thanks for having Chad last night. I better get home.”

She rises from the table, and together we walk to the living room where the boys are playing. “Take it easy and call me if you need anything.”

“Will do. Otherwise, I’ll see you Monday,” I say, offering a small wave as I head toward the door with Chad.

“I’m dreading Monday now,” I tell her with a sigh, already feeling the sense of dread for the upcoming week.

“Why?”

“Because Harvey will start on Monday, and after touching him, I would rather hide at home.”

She snorts. “That made my day.”

“I’m glad one of us finds it funny,” I murmur.

“Come on,” she says. “You have to find it a bit funny.”

I do, but I’m not telling her.

I leave with Chad and head home. We haven’t even been home for ten minutes when my doorbell rings.

Who is that?

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