Page 39 of Molly

“Thank you for letting me meet her, baby. Means more to me than I know how to say. She’s beautiful.”

18

RYAN

“Penny was attacking me, Ryan. What do you want me to do?” Jess snaps from across the table.

We're sitting atPapa’sPizza, waiting to be served. This place has the best meat-lovers in Adelaide, hands down. The anger being thrown at me from across the table is killing my appetite, though.

I look down at the black-and-white checkered floor and take a deep breath.“I get that, okay? Penny is Molly's best friend. She's protective. She's not my biggest fan either, but the way you treated Molly was bullshit. Bringing up that I did all your ink the way you did, making fun of her'playing with plants'all day. And what the fuck was the comment about all the good guys being taken? Is there something I’m not seeing here?” I ask.

She narrows her eyes at me. “I don't get what it is about this girl that's got you tied up in knots, Ryan.”

“You don't have to get it. But you have to respect it. You and I arefriends, Jess. Molly is mygirlfriend.”

She rolls her eyes. “You'll tire of her, eventually. She's fucking twenty-two, for fuck's sake.”

“Jess,” I snap.

As she opens her mouth, a little voice calls out from across the room. “Mumma! Look, it's Wyan!”

I turn my head and see Molly standing at the glossy red counter, Emma beside her, clutching the pink stuffed dog I gave her yesterday.

Oh good, this will go fucking well.

Molly looks between Jess and me, and I see her shoulders tense. She takes Emma's hand in hers and starts cautiously walking towards us.

I shoot a glare at Jess, telling her to behave without saying a word. She rolls her eyes and picks up her keys.

I look up just as Molly and Emma get to our table.

“Wyan! Look, I gots my doggie!” Emma grins.

I smile down at her. “I see that. I'm so glad you like her, love.”

“Jess, good to see you,” Molly says, her tone flat.

Jess stands in a huff, flipping her red hair over her shoulder. “Sure it is. Don't worry, I was just leaving. Ryan, here, was just letting me know I hurt your little ego at lunch. Sorry about that.” She rolls her eyes at the end and turns to me. “Good to know where I stand with you, Ryan,” she snaps before storming out, almost knocking over the waiter serving another table on her way.

Molly's shoulders relax a little, and she shoots me a sympathetic smile. “Good talk, then?” she asks.

I laugh at that, stand, kiss her on the cheek and gesture to the empty table. “Want to join me, ladies? We didn't get around to ordering.”

“Yes! Mumma said I could has pizza!” Emma chimes in, sitting on the chair next to me. She looks up at me and pouts. My heart just about melts into a puddle on the floor. "Wyan, doggie needs a chair.”

Well shit, if doggie needs a chair, doggie needs a chair.I quickly stand up and move the chair opposite me so that it's on the other side of Emma, and she proudly sits her stuffed dog down.

“She's hard to say no to,” Molly chuckles as she sits.

“Takes after her mumma.” I wink.

Her face turns serious, and she lowers her voice. “Things obviously didn't go well with Jess?”

I shake my head and roll my lips.

“I think maybe you should just keep her and I separate, honey...”

I sigh. “Yeah, I get that. I think she's just freaking out that I'm her only friend here, and I'm spending so much time with you...”

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