She’d spent the early morning hours drinking copious amounts of coffee to compensate for the lack of sleep she’d endured last night after her embarrassing meltdown with Carter. She’d gone back inside and dashed into the ladies room, repaired her makeup, and put on her brightest smile, because that night had not been all about her and she wasn’t going to bring her drama to her sister’s wedding. She’d danced and partied with the women, losing herself in the music and the fun, pushing the pain into the furthest recesses of her mind.
But after the festivities she’d climbed into her sister’s guest bed and promptly spent the next three hours staring up at the ceiling.
Which meant today she was exhausted, grumpy and generally out of sorts. The complete opposite of her mother, who was filled with energy and enthusiasm, and cheerful as hell.
“Molly, help me hang these lights, will you?” her mom asked.
Lights? Why the hell did they need lights? “Uh, where’s Dad?”
“He already hung the lights over the fireplace, but I want some in the kitchen. And your father went to pick up the food.”
Oh, sure. He got the easy task. “Okay.”
They strung lights and paper lanterns and blew up hideous plastic palm trees. There was Hawaiian music playing, posters of the islands placed around the house, and coconuts on all the tables. There hadn’t been time for her mom to cook, otherwise Molly might be elbows deep in some kind of tropical coconut concoction, so she’d been spared that much, at least.
“There,” her mom finally said, climbing down from the ladder where she’d hung an Aloha banner along the mantle. “That’s festive, isn’t it?”
It looked like Hawaii had exploded inside her parents’ house. “You bet.”
All Molly wanted to do was go lie down in one of the bedrooms and pass out. Especially knowing the wedding party would be partaking of the brunch today, which meant she’d have to face Carter.
But she’d get through it, knowing it would be the last time. After today, she’d be on the road, out of town, and back where she belonged, which was anywhere but Hope—her motto for the past twelve years.
She was already counting down the hours.
When the door opened and her dad came in juggling a box filled with food, her mother hurried over to help and Molly followed. Soon after, people started filing in and she was too busy greeting people to even think.
When Luke and Emma showed up, she hugged her sister.
“How does it feel to be married?” she asked.
Emma grinned. “Not all that different, surprisingly. Yet somehow . . . fairly awesome.”
“I’m really happy for you and Luke. I know we didn’t get a lot of time together yesterday, but I want you to know that I believe in the two of you. I know you’re going to make it work.”
Emma gave her a curious look. “Well, of course we are. We love each other.”
She didn’t know why she’d said that. Maybe because she thought couples making it work was all too rare. Or maybe she was simply projecting. She squeezed Emma’s hands. “That’s right. You do. And it shows.”
Carter came in, and Molly excused herself, went to grab her purse, and fished out his keys. “I brought your car back.”
He took the keys. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
“Do you need a ride back to Emma’s place?”
“No. I’ll be staying here at my mom and dad’s tonight, then leaving tomorrow. My car’s already here.” She was having trouble making eye contact with him. Things had been awkward between them before, but now it was simply brutal.
“Okay, then. Well, good luck, Molly. And drive safe.”
“Yeah, thanks.” She turned and walked away, needing distance. She felt so much being close to him—and not all of it was bad.
That was the problem, wasn’t it? She still felt things for him. And she hated that she did. He’d probably moved on the instant she’d lost their baby, and here she was still feeling some ridiculous connection to him.
She intended to sever that connection, once and for all, starting tomorrow.
She was going to move on with her life and forget that Carter Richards had ever existed.
Everyone sat down to eat. The food was really good, surprisingly.
“I love the décor, Mom,” Emma said. “Thank you for the sendoff.”
“Yes, thanks,” Luke added. “We’re so ready for Hawaii.”
“I can imagine,” their mother said. “You’ve had a lot on your plates, with all the wedding planning and juggling your jobs on top of it. You both deserve to relax.”
Emma looked at Luke. “I won’t know what to do with myself, taking more than just a few days off. Whatever will we do with ourselves?”
Luke nuzzled her neck. “I’m sure we’ll think of something.”
Their mother cleared her throat. Emma laughed, then turned to Chelsea. “Are you sure about watching the dogs? I could easily board them at the clinic. Rachel and Leanne would look after them.”
Chelsea waved her hand. “Don’t be ridiculous. This way, your house won’t sit empty while you’re gone. The dogs will miss you both as it is, and I get to sit in a big house instead of my condo. It’s a win for all of us.”
Emma shot a smile to Chelsea. “Thank you for doing this.”
“It’s not a problem. Just don’t expect me to vacuum up your dust bunnies.”
Luke laughed. “God forbid.”
“What about you, Molly?” Jane asked. “Are you heading back to Austin soon?”
“Tomorrow, actually.”
“We’re sure sorry to see you go,” Will said. “It’s been such a pleasure having you here.”
Molly did her best to plant a genuine smile on her face. “Thank you. It’s been fun to be in Hope again.”
“Maybe you can start visiting more often,” Chelsea said. “We have wicked fun girls’ night out. We’d love to have you join us.”
Emma nodded. “This is true. If you come home to visit, we’ll schedule one when you’re here.”
“I travel a lot, too,” Des said. “Maybe you can come up sometime when I’m in town and we can do girls’ night then.”
There was no way in hell Molly was ever coming back here. But she wasn’t going to tell her sister—or her parents—in a roomful of people. “I’ll definitely think about it. In the meantime, you all are welcome to come see me in Austin.”