Page 113 of Beautiful Collide

Molly:Fine. I’ll go to lunch if you swear on your lives not to mentionhim.

Cassidy:Deal.

Josie:Sworn. No Hudson talk.

Molly:If either of you so much ashintabout him, I’m leaving.

Cassidy:We’ll be angels.

Josie:I’ll polish my halo and everything.

Molly:I’m serious.

Cassidy:Molly. When have we ever broken a promise?

Molly:. . .

Josie:. . .

Molly:Why do I feel like I’m walking into a trap?

Cassidy:Because you are. Cinnamon rolls at noon, babe. Don’t be late.

Josie:We’ll save you a seat. But not a cinnamon roll. There are limits to my kindness.

Molly:I’m going to regret this.

Cassidy:Probably. But we’re worth it. ??

39

Molly

The small dinerI like to go to with the girls is warm and cozy.

It feels straight out of a Hallmark movie, with mismatched chairs that look like they’ve been collected from garage sales over the years, checkered tablecloths, and a waitstaff that calls us “hon.”

The walls are lined with old photos—black-and-white snapshots of the town’s history mixed with colorful prints of flowers and hand-lettered signs with cheesy sayings.

Come hungry, leave happy.

Coffee: A hug in a mug.

I sit across from Josie and Cassidy, picking at my fries while the two of them debate milkshake flavors.

“You have to try the chocolate peanut butter,” Cassidy insists, her dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. “It’s life-changing.”

Josie wrinkles her pert nose. “I’m a purist. Strawberry or nothing.” She looks over at me, waiting for my input on the matter, her blond curls bouncing as she tilts her head. “Molly? Thoughts?”

I push my fries into a small pile. “On what?”

Cassidy smirks, leaning forward and placing her elbows on the table. “On whether or not you’re capable of focusing when Hudson Wilde isn’t in the room.”

I blink, heat rising into my cheeks.

Shit. I’m totally blushing.

Play it cool, Molly.

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