Page 22 of Dating After the End of the World
“We’re not engaged.” Greg’s voice is monotone, like this isn’t the first time he’s had to make their relationship status clear, and instead of getting angry, he is now merely annoyed.
“Not yet, we’re not,” she says with a giggle.
His shoulders rise and fall as he takes a deep breath in place of responding to her.
Molly finally releases me, and she’s all smiles, revealing a large mouth full of white teeth. Her bright red lips are full even when they’re pulled taut.
“So, how long have you two been together?” I ask.
“Not long enough.” She laughs. “But luckily, we have forever left. Ain’t that right, Pookie?” When he doesn’t respond, she glances over her shoulder at him and repeats, “Pookie?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” he says defeatedly without looking at her.
“Molly, my dear,” Elaine cuts in.
“Yes,” she says, looking to Elaine.
“Would you mind plucking a few heirloom tomatoes from the garden for me, please?” She dials up the sweetness with a closed-mouth smile, the dimples of her cheeks puckering to full effect. I can tell Elaine’s just making this request to save Greg from whatever this is, because there’s a full cutting board of already chopped vegetables for her omelets.
“Absolutely,” Molly says with a nod. She skips to Greg, plants a wet kiss on his cheek, and tells him, “Miss you already,” before sauntering through the living room and out the front door.
As soon as the door closes, Tessa blows out her cheeks, exploding with laughter and even some spittle.
“Stop it!” Greg throws a crumpled paper towel at her. It bounces off her head and onto the table, but does nothing to stop her delight.
“Wowwwww,” I say. The word comes out breathy and elongated, matching the extent of my surprise and amusement.
Greg points a finger at me. “Don’t you start too.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” I say, half smiling. “She seems very, very nice.”
He groans. “Yeah, she’s nice all right, but she’s also incredibly annoying and extremely clingy.”
“Then why are you dating her?” I cock my head.
“I’m not ...” Greg pauses to collect himself before he gets overly animated. When he speaks again, it’s in a very calm and flat voice. “We’re not dating, okay.”
“Really? Because she sure seems to think that you are.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t control what she thinks.” Greg waves his hand like he’s swatting at a fly.
My brows shove together in confusion. I look to Tessa for an answer, but she’s still in a fit of laughter. “Were you and Molly dating at one point?” I ask.
“No,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Then why would she think that to begin with?”
“We hooked up one time, okay?” He drops his head in his hands. “How was I supposed to know the world was gonna end the next day?”
I now understand why Tessa’s unable to contain her laughter, because I can’t either. I snort. “I’m sorry, Greg.”
“I’m glad you find this so amusing.” He crosses his arms over his chest, waiting for us to stop.
“You know, they say if you aren’t careful during a one-night stand, you can end up living with that decision for the rest of your life,” Elaine says without missing a beat. She flashes a sly smirk, further fueling our cackles.
“Come on! That’s not funny,” Greg whines, as though his tone will make it not so.
“Yes, it is,” JJ adds from Elaine’s side as he helps her with breakfast.
