you’re going to have real food again? I heard that clam broth is on the menu.”
“That wasn’t our doing. I swear. Whoever’s in charge of catering only cares about historical accuracy.”
“I can respect that,” Mollie said. “Enabling your Amigo’s addiction in the face of historical accuracy almost goes against every fiber of my moral being. Almost.”
Charly scowled. Trust her to take the history buff’s side. “I needed food. You do not know what I’ve been through today.”
Mollie tilted her head. “Ah ha! I knew you were keeping something back! Something happened between you and Aaron Mills last night, didn’t it?”
She shook her head, but it was hard to defend herself with her mouth full of food.
“I’m not stupid. When I said to suggest my ghost tours to Aaron Mills, I specifically said not to sell your soul. The man fell in love with you, didn’t he?” Before Charlize could deny it again, Mollie pointed at her with a stolen French fry. “Yes, he did. Admit it! Why else would he make you play America’s Sweetheart for his little game?”
Charly swallowed. “Love is kind of a strong word for it.”
Mollie burst out laughing, but she also looked protective. “Okay, let’s go over a few rules here. No kissing him. Maybe the last night you see him, sure, you can have your fun, but that’s only because you’ll never see him again. If you kiss him tonight, then it will just be awkward for the rest of the week.”
“I’m not going to kiss him ever!”
Mollie rolled her eyes. “Oh please. You sound like Brooklyn.”
Ever since their friend had fallen for that billionaire architect that had come into town, Mollie acted like she had called it from the beginning. Such a know-it-all. “He’s not my type, Mollie.”
Mollie sniffed in the sudden silence, then they both started giggling. “You are such a liar.”
Charlize hid her face. The lie was far too obvious to keep up. Aaron was every woman’s type as far as Charly could see, but most especially hers. He’d been her celebrity crush because he had the kind of passion that she couldn’t resist. She’d been half in love with him before she set eyes on him in person. It was such a bummer that he’d ended up disappointing her.
“That guy isn’t going to rest until he kisses you,” Mollie said between laughs. “I’m just saying hold back those hearts in your eyes and don’t make any of this easy on him. Rio would agree with me.”
Charlize grew serious at the mention of her twin sister’s name. Even though Rio had passed away two years earlier, Mollie stubbornly held on to her like she was really there. Bringing her sister into these moments was always comforting, like things had never changed. In a way, they hadn’t. Charly bit her lip and decided to confide in Mollie like she would to her sister. “I’m not going to kiss him because he’s got two other girlfriends at this hotel. I’m not kidding. Darcy is his ex.”
“That crazy woman in the lobby?” Mollie made a face. “You sure?”
“Yeah, and then another girlfriend was waiting for him when I brought him back last night.”
“Oh.” Mollie looked disappointed on Charly’s behalf. “And then he saw you and was sorry he’d set eyes on either of them.”
Charly snickered. Mollie was good for her confidence. “Well, it doesn’t matter now, does it? They do exist.”
“So it’s operation make him sorry he met you, too? Excellent, I like this game.”
Charlize found herself smiling despite her disillusionment. Mollie always made her feel better. As Rio used to say, if you can’t get the guy, at least pull off being spitefully stunning and make him sorry he couldn’t have you either.
Mollie took out a marker from the back of her black pants she kept handy as a server. “Since you can’t text, I guess you’ll have to actually pick up a phone and call.” She ripped off a piece of the Amigo’s brown paper sack where she scratched out her phone number and set it under the tan phone on the desk near the bed. “Now, you had better give me every detail, Charly. Just don’t bother calling me in the mornings. I won’t answer.” Mollie’s ghost tours lasted late into the night, though she’d still sleep in if not. “I want to hear how you torment this poor unworthy man who is in love with you!”
Charly chuckled and headed out the door with Mollie. She doubted any of those things would