perfect. Trust me.”
“Okay.” She takes the top from me and slips it on, adjusting the tie at her waist. “How do I look?”
Why do I feel like a proud teary-eyed mother sending my kid off to their first day of school?
“You look beautiful, Molls.”
She turns toward the mirror, stifling a gasp. She already did her hair and makeup, so the outfit was the final missing piece. “I look—”
“Amazing,” I finish for her. “Jake’s going to lose his mind.”
She turns around to face me. “I’m not crazy for doing this am I?”
“You’d be crazy if you didn’t go out. It’s just one night, maybe more if tonight goes well. Don’t overthink it.” I squeeze her arm.
“Right.” She tucks her flaming red hair behind her ears. “Thank you. For allowing me to freak out but also making sure I step out of my comfort zone.”
“A comfort zone only exists because you put yourself out there at some point in time. Why not do it again and again?”
She grabs me into a hug, squeezing tight. “I feel bad leaving you.” I eye her and she giggles. “Right.”
“I’d much rather you leave me for a date than because … well, you know.”
She flashes a sad smile. “I don’t think my mom thought through how she’d feel without a kid at home to dote over, so now…”
She doesn’t finish the sentence because she doesn’t have to, we both know how it ends anyway. It’s unfair how one single person can make you feel so incredibly—it’s toxic and not talked about enough when it comes from a family member.
“Don’t think about her tonight.” I give her a reassuring smile, grabbing her hands in mine. “Focus on you and Jake. Just have fun.”
“I’ll try my best.”
I grab her purse from the bench and pass it over. “You better hurry up or you’ll be late meeting him. I’ll pick up this mess.”
“Are you sure?” She looks guiltily down at the floor and pile of clothes.
“Go.” I push her toward the door with a laugh. “Have fun. Be merry. Text me when you get there, okay? And if you happen to decide to go somewhere else with him.”
She pauses, confusion clouding her face. “Where would I go?”
“His place.”
“Why? Oh. OH.” She slaps a hand over her mouth, her face turning a brilliant shade of red to match her hair. “You think?” She drops her hand, looking stunned at the idea.
I shrug. “You never know. And hey, if it’s terrible and you need me to save you, I’m here for that too.” I wave my phone in my hand, so she knows I’ll keep it on me until she gets back.
“Wow,” she mutters to herself, heading down the hall. “I didn’t even think about that.”
A moment later the main door opens, and slams shut behind her.
As promised, I pick up the mess, restoring her closet to its normal working order. Turning the lights off behind me I quietly ease the door shut, as if I’m worried about waking a sleeping baby or something.
In the kitchen I warm a piece of pizza in the microwave, salivating even though leftover isn’t as good as fresh.
Taking a bite, I hiss at the hot cheese. “Ow.”
So impatient. You’d think at almost nineteen I would’ve learned my lesson about waiting for it to cool down, but obviously not. Leaning against the counter, I take a bite of the crust and text Hayden.
Me: What are you doing?
A minute goes by before he replies.
Hayden: Looking over the recent script submissions.
Last week we had to turn in the first fifty pages of our scripts for Hayden to look over and see if we’re all still going in the right direction or need extra aid. He did the same thing earlier in the semester with the first fifteen pages. I don’t dare ask him what he thinks of mine. That’s treading into even more dangerous waters than we’re already in.
Me: Molly’s gone for a few hours. She’s on a date.
Hayden: Good for her. I’m glad.
I groan, wondering if he’s going to force me to ask him, but before I can blatantly ask him to come over there’s a knock on the door and it’s no surprise when I open it to find him standing there. His laptop is clasped in his hand along with his iPad. Even in a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt he looks delectable.
“Mind if I work over here?”
“Not at all.” I try to tamp down my grin but it’s futile. “I’m going to