Page 31 of October (New Orleans #10)

Juliet laughed and replied, “Not freaking out. Just good to know.”

“It’s confusing because when Willa and I met, she kind of got dropped right into my crazy life.

It was fine before that, my life; no craziness.

I had just gotten a nice apartment, my mom was relatively stable, and my kid sister was fine, too.

I wasn’t all that close to them, but that just was what it was.

Then, the day I met Willa was the day it got nuts, and now that things are finally calmed down, I still know. ”

“Still know?” Molly asked.

“That I want her every day,” Jill said with a shoulder shrug.

“It’s important to go through shit with someone to know if they’re the one for you, but it’s also important to just be with them during the regular stuff, too.

It’s only been a few months. I’m not proposing anytime soon, but I know it’s her for me. ”

“That’s nice,” Juliet replied, leaning into Gwen, which only meant that Juliet knew Gwen was the right one for her after a month and a half.

Molly thought about Finley in that moment and smiled.

Then, she looked up at the counter behind them and at the line that had formed, and an old woman was standing there, turned toward them, waiting for her number to be called.

The old woman smiled at her and placed her hand over her heart.

Molly tilted her head in confusion because that move really reminded her of Finley, and she’d just been thinking about her.

“What about you two?” Jill asked.

“Not moving in tomorrow,” Juliet said.

Gwen laughed and replied, “Correct. But I hope we do one day.”

“Me too,” Juliet agreed. “Molly?”

“Huh?” Molly returned her attention to her friends.

“You wanted to update me on Finley.”

“Who’s Finley?” Jill asked her.

“A woman we work with,” she answered.

“And?” Juliet encouraged.

“A woman I’m sort of dating.”

“Sort of?” Gwen asked.

“Okay, we’re dating. We made out for hours last night, and I was in love with her when she was dating someone else. It’s a little intense and crazy, and I have no idea where it’s going, so I’m terrified, but yes, we’re dating.”

“You’re terrified?” Juliet asked.

“Definitely. Finley offered me a laptop last night. She just held it out and told me it was mine now. She gave me a whole damn computer. I mean, is a computer a third-date gift? I feel like that’s a birthday gift on your third birthday with them or something.”

“She gave you a computer?” Jill asked.

“She will,” Molly replied. “She said she wanted to add a couple of things to it for me before I take it home. I don’t even know what she’s talking about, but she’s a genius and really hot when she’s installing RAM.”

“She installed RAM on your date?” Gwen asked.

“Yes. And when she goes all rambling nerd, I go weak in the knees. It’s all very scary to me.”

“That’s a good thing, though, right? Being a little scared when you meet someone.”

“Not a little scared. I’ve already almost messed it up at least twice.”

“Molls, you’re fine,” Juliet replied in her usual calming voice that seemed reserved for Molly. “Finley likes you. You like her. That’s all you need to know right now.”

“No, she likes me. I’m in love with her. That’s different.”

“I don’t know that you are,” Juliet said. “In love yet, I mean.”

“Juliet, I have told you at least a thousand times that I’m in–”

“That was different,” Juliet interrupted.

“You loved who you thought Finley was. I was there, remember? You spent hardly any time with her, and you two barely talked up until recently. I was the go-between. You loved the woman you couldn’t have, the woman who was off-limits because she had someone else.

Now, you’re getting to know her, and you really like her.

Maybe you’re on your way to falling in love, but I don’t think you’re as far ahead of Finley as you seem to believe.

She, apparently, offered you a laptop, Molls. That’s a big deal.”

“Should I be getting Willa a laptop? Is that a thing?” Jill asked.

Molly looked back up at the old woman behind Juliet’s head.

She was still staring in Molly’s direction.

Her smile was kind and not at all off-putting.

Molly felt like she recognized her but couldn’t place her.

When the woman nodded at her, Molly wondered why.

Then, she returned her attention to her friends, and the woman turned around to get her sandwich from the man behind the counter.

“I don’t think so. I’m guessing the laptop is just a Finley and Molly thing,” Juliet replied.

“She works in IT and builds computers,” Molly added. “She also got me flowers.”

“That’s sweet,” Gwen noted.

“Hey, babe?” Juliet spoke. “Can you and Jill maybe give Molly and I a few minutes to talk alone? I haven’t seen my friend in a while, and I think we have some catching up to do.”

“Yeah, of course,” Gwen replied.

“Looks like my sandwiches are ready anyway,” Jill said, nodding toward the man behind the counter, who was holding two bags up for her.

“Thank you,” Molly whispered to Juliet.