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Molly

The small diner I 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.

I arch a single brow. “Excuse me?”

Josie laughs, propping her chin on her hand. “She’s got a point, you know. You’ve been weirdly quiet today. Suspiciously quiet.”

I grab my soda for something to do. “I’m just tired.”

Damn, girl, you just answered that way too quickly.

Act casual.

“Mm-hmm.” Cassidy’s knowing smile grows as she leans back in her chair. “Tired because you’ve been spending all your energy trying not to strangle Hudson every time he opens his mouth?”

Hearing his name makes me scowl.

I’m already wound so tight. I can’t escape this when I’m alone with my own thoughts. I don’t need this with them, too.

This is supposed to be a Hudson-free lunch, and they just . . .

Shit. I fell right into the trap.

“Exactly.” Josie giggles, shoulder-bumping Cassidy. “Look at her face.”

I sigh, feigning boredom. “Nothing is going on. Just the usual hatred and mutual loathing. You know, the cornerstone of any healthy working relationship.”

Josie snorts, twirling her straw between her fingers. “You sure about that? Because Dane mentioned something about you two not fighting as much lately.”

I stiffen. “Dane doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

Cassidy raises an eyebrow. “So it’s a coincidence that every time the team teases Hudson about you, he doesn’t snap back? Or that you’ve actually been tolerable in the same room?”

“Yes, it’s a coincidence. Plus, neither of us wants to lose the bet,” I say firmly. Take that. One point to the home team. “And I have no idea what you’re implying, but you’re wrong. So wrong.”

Josie and Cassidy exchange a look; twin smirks spreading across their faces.

“You’re totally lying.” Josie grins. “I know it. She knows it. Hell, the server probably knows it.”

“Whatever you think you know, you don’t.” I point a fry at them for emphasis. “Nothing is going on between Hudson and me. Nothing except mutual disgust and an endless desire to avoid each other whenever possible.”

Cassidy snorts, and since she was sipping her water, it’s not pretty. “Right. Yet at the charity event, you two looked downright cozy holding those puppies together.”

“That wasn’t cozy. That was forced proximity,” I grit out, but my stomach gets butterflies at the memory.

Dammit to hell.

Josie’s expression softens. “Molly, you can tell us, you know. We’re not going to judge you.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I insist, before shoving another fry in my mouth and looking away.

Josie and Cassidy are mind readers.

I can’t give them an inch.

Cassidy taps her fingers against the table, watching me closely. “You’re not denying that something’s changed, though.”

I roll my eyes. “If anything’s changed, it’s that I’m too tired to waste energy fighting him. That’s it.”

“Uh-huh. Sure. Because that totally explains why you’ve been blushing like crazy every time his name comes up.”

“I am not blushing.”

“You are. And for the record? If something is happening with you and Hudson, you should just admit it.” Cassidy shrugs. “I think you’d be good for him.”

“Good for him? Are you kidding me? He’s an egotistical, smug, insufferable—”

“Hot,” Josie adds helpfully.

“Nightmare,” I finish, glaring at Josie.

Cassidy grins. “Hot nightmare, though.”

My hands lift to cover my face. “Why do I even eat lunch with you two?”

“Because we’re fun,” Josie says brightly. “And because we’re right.”

“You’re not right.”

“Keep telling yourself that, Molly. But we’re not blind.” Cassidy steals a fry off my plate. “Something’s going on. And when you’re ready to admit it, we’ll be here.”

Damn Cassidy.

Always the voice of reason.

I shake my head as the two of them continue to laugh, but as much as I want to brush off their teasing, their words stick with me, leaving a nagging question I don’t want to answer.

What is going on between Hudson and me?