Page 44 of The Wild Card
Oh, are we playing this game again?I don’t mind in the least and lean closer, placing a hand flat on Collin’s chest. It’s nice for once to be helping him rather than the other way around.
The Bobs impressively manage to shoot their eyebrows up almost in unison, and I don’t miss the way they eye Collin and me, then exchange glances with each other.
Collin’s arm tightens around my waist. “It’s been lovely catching up, but I promised Molly the best breakfast in town.”
“Are you just visiting Sheet Cake?” one of the Bobs asks me.
“Um,” I say, unsure of how to answer, given my current confusing status.
“She just got a job with Brightmark,” Collin says. “You know, the production company.”
He sounds proud and looks at me like he’s showing me off. I don’t hate it. Not even a little.
That’s the problem with this whole situation—I like itall.
But, to beat the very dead horse, we’re not together. This is not real.
The job is real, sure. But the lie that job is based on is ballooning out into something monstrous. I’m building my entire existence here in this town predicated on a lie.
A lie we’re still perpetuating, considering Collin’s arm around my waist and the way he’s looking at me now. Which seems a little too sincere.
I take a step away, and Collin’s arm falls right along with his smile. “It was nice to meet you all,” I say, forcing a bright smile as I edge away.
Collin gives them a wave, promising to think about it, and follows me. If he notices me being weird, he doesn’t comment on it. I’m glad. Because we’re going to have to talk through this—that’s what he said we’d discuss over breakfast, after all—and I’m not even sure what to say. Where to start. Where to end. What I want.
Actually, I think Idoknow what I want. Collin Graham tops my current wish list. He might be the only thing on it, now that I’ve secured a job that will allow me to stay.
But I cannot have Collin.
Can I?
Heissingle. And he’s been really great. But what kind of relationship could we have after the weird, awful start we’ve had? I mean, I roped him into being my fake boyfriend before Ieven recognized him—something I’m still embarrassed about. Our brief time together includes him literally carrying me out of a bar, doctoring my blistered feet, and putting me to bed.
Though he hasn’t made me feel like a burden, that’s exactly what I am. A big one.
The woman who greeted Collin appears at our table almost immediately with two waters and two coffees.
“Thank you, Nan,” Collin says with a smile. “This is Molly.”
“Nice to meet you. I made an educated guess about the coffee,” she says, smiling as she sets a mug of coffee in front of me. “But if you don’t like coffee, I can get you something else.”
“This is perfect, thank you,” I tell her.
“And if you need the fancy creamer like this one here”—she gives Collin a playful glare—“I’ll have to get it from the back. Big Mo always keeps it on hand just for him.”
“Big Mo is the chef,” Collin explains. “If we’re lucky, he’ll bring out our food, and I’ll introduce you.”
Wow. Is this treatment because this is how it works in a small town, or is it because Collin is Collin Graham, Sheet Cake royalty? Either way, it’s both endearing and slightly intimidating.
“So, where did you two meet?” The woman gives Collin a sly look, and his eyes widen.
I jump in. Despite the fact that he was just acting like my boyfriend in front of the Bobs, he seems reluctant to claim me in front of this woman. “I’m Chase’s sister, if you know Harper and Chase.” It’s an educated guess, since Kalli knew them.
“Of course!” Nan says, her smile widening. “I can see the resemblance now that you mention it. What will you two be having this morning? Or do you need menus and a few minutes?”
“I think we’re ready. Do you mind if I order for you?” Collin asks me.
I’m probably in the minority, but I don’t mind a guy ordering for me. I’m not picky, and I hate making decisions, so it feels like a relief.
