Molly - Sarah Monzon Page 0,6
proven that sugar releases chemicals in your brain called beta-endorphins that can reduce both physical and emotional pain.”
“Is that along the lines of saying chocolate comes from cocoa, which comes from a tree and is therefore a plant, and if it’s a plant then chocolate is a salad?”
I choked on an almond at the back of my throat and covered my mouth with the palm of my hand. Miss Osbourne grinned at me, and I found myself returning her smile. “Not exactly.”
She shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”
“Chocolate does have some medical properties though. High quality dark chocolate is loaded with minerals and soluble fiber as well as biologically active antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavanols.” I bit off a piece of chocolate-dipped cone. “The flavanols can stimulate the lining of your arteries to manufacture nitric oxide, which increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. That increase of blood flow continues to benefit the brain as well, attributing to improved cognitive function in people with mental deficiencies. And in some studies, cocoa was found to reduce the risk of heart disease in elderly men because of its propensities to protect against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.”
Her blue-green eyes twinkled like the sun reflecting off a tropical ocean. She reached into her bag and pulled out a pad of sticky notes and a pen. “Can you repeat all that so I can write it down and use it as an argument next time someone gets on my case about my chocolate addiction?”
“I can print you off a couple of chocolate-centric studies for ammunition.”
“That would be great, thanks.” She settled her spoon into her empty bowl.
“Since I’ve made your brain release beta-endorphins and you’re riding that chemical high and feeling better, I want to ask…what are you going to do now that you no longer work at Bay Street Montessori?”
She sighed long and low. “Way to bring a girl crashing back down, Dr. Ben.”
I rested my forearms on the table and clasped my hands in front of me. “The reason I ask is because I’d like to hire you.”
She blinked and looked at me dryly. “You run a preschool as a side business?”
One corner of my mouth pulled up. “Chloe said you were funny. No, I don’t run a preschool. And I know what I’m offering probably isn’t what you had in mind, but maybe it can work for the both of us?”
“What exactly are you offering?”
I ran my hand through my hair. Could I be bungling this any worse?
Miss Osbourne’s gaze followed my movements, and I paused with my hand a few inches from my forehead. “What?”
She stared at my head with a bemused look on her face, lips twitching like she held back a smile. “You just made your hair stick straight up like a mad scientist.”
Great. Between that and the forgotten shirt I’d had to pull from my locker because the one I’d started my shift in had gotten puked on by a drunk guy, I must’ve looked like I really had it all together. Mad scientist hair and a shirt I hadn’t worn in over a year that no longer fit because of my de-stressing pull-up routine—a routine which, so far, had only succeeded in increasing my upper body strength rather than my REM cycle.
“Just…let me…” She leaned across the table between us and reached out, smoothing a hand across the top of my head, fingers working as a comb through my hair.
My hand lowered, but my gaze stayed fixed on her face. Her lips pressed together as she concentrated on taming my mane, which I knew wouldn’t be possible until after I’d showered and washed out the crusty day-old gel that had managed the task of keeping my thick hair under control until now.
Gracious but it felt good to be touched by a woman. Not the outlandishly inappropriate contact I’d received at the hospital on occasion (yes, that sexual harassment thing went both ways), but the gentle caress from a soft touch.
My heart kicked against my ribs, awakening my good sense. I needed Molly Osbourne for Chloe. To take care of her, not me. I pulled back slightly, and Miss Osbourne’s fingers stilled on my head. Her gaze lowered and locked onto mine. Her eyes widened as if she’d just realized what she’d done. Pink-infused bursts of color sprouted across her porcelain cheeks, and she pulled her arm back with a jerk, settling onto the booth seat with a soft thud.
“I am so sorry. I don’t know