who lived here and that they took pride in living here.
“You’ve never been here,” he said. “I can order dinner and it’ll be here at the same time as you.”
“Just a second,” she said, and the sound of scuffling came through the line. She spoke to someone else on her end of the line, and Hunter suddenly didn’t want to take her from whoever she was with.
“It’s okay,” he said. “Are you eating with your family?” He’d seen Molly’s sisters and parents several times over the summer, as he still drove out to Ivory Peaks to attend church. Molly sat with him, and they’d exchanged pleasantries a few times after the service. She’d spent Sabbath afternoons with him at the farm, and Hunter didn’t want to steal her from her family tonight.
“I’m with some work friends,” she said. “It’s okay. I can be there in a few minutes. We’re actually on our way into the city.”
“I don’t want to interrupt you.”
“I’d need a ride home,” she said.
Hunter pressed his eyes closed, wondering why he was trying to get her to stay with her friends when he wanted her there with him. “I can give you a ride home.”
“Okay,” she said, and her voice softened. “Will you text me a reminder of where you live?”
“Yes.” The call ended, and Hunter quickly typed out his address and sent it to Molly. He barely existed in this condo, so all he had to do to clean up was put his coffee mugs from the past few days in the dishwasher. The silence in the condo annoyed him, and he connected his phone to his Bluetooth speaker and set some classical music to play.
Lucy had encouraged him to listen to music without words. That way, his mind could churn through what it needed to, and he could find the answers he sought. Tonight, he busied himself on his phone to order dinner, and then he settled at the kitchen table and pulled a crossword puzzle in front of him.
Hunter wasn’t sure how much time had passed before his phone chimed. He usually set an alarm whenever he did his puzzles, because he could get lost inside the clues and boxes.
“Mols,” he answered, his mood much improved, though his stomach told him he hadn’t eaten yet. He got up from the table and strode toward the front door. “Are you here?”
“In the lobby,” she said. “I have the food from Lola.”
“I can come down.” He opened the door. “I ordered a lot of food.”
“I can make it,” she said. “I just can’t get the elevator to open. It needs a code?”
“Oh, right.” Hunter had a card he scanned over the screen in the lobby. “It’s two-three-seven-four.”
“Okay.” A moment passed, and she went, “Yep. I’ll be up in a minute.”
Hunter met her at the elevator door and took one of the bags from Lola. He had a hard time meeting her eyes, and when he did, she wasn’t looking at him either. They flitted around each other, and Hunter hated that.
He hadn’t felt this awkward in a long time, and he thought of something Lucy had told him once, years ago. Address things head-on, Hunter. You’ll be happier in the end.
He didn’t open his mouth on the walk down the hall, though. Lucy had also told him that he was the only one who controlled how he felt, and if he put off an awkward air, everyone could feel it.
Gathering his courage and confidence, he opened the door for Molly and smiled at her as she walked past him. Their eyes met for a moment, and that second of time sizzled. The chemistry and attraction between them hadn’t lessened though they hadn’t seen each other face-to-face for a few days.
She put the bag of food on the counter and started unpacking it while Hunter closed and locked the door behind them. He joined her at the island and did the same with the food, laying it all out.
“Do you want to eat first? Or do you want a tour?” Hunter turned and opened a cupboard to take out plates. If he dined alone, he ate from whatever container the food came in. But on a Friday night, with his girlfriend, he could use plates and real silverware.
He slipped his hand in hers, moving slowly and gently. Her fingers made room for his, and he squeezed. “I’ve missed you.”
Molly turned toward him, and he easily took her into his embrace. All of the awkwardness and unease inside