Molly had a great time with Maddy and her friends, Ginger and Sharon. She hadn’t had a girls’ night of any kind in forever, and they all got along famously. Not a lot of jewelry got made, but they had a blast anyway, and made tentative plans to do it again. “Oh, that was fun,” Molly said with a happy sigh as she helped Maddy clear away the dishes. “I haven’t done anything like that in so long.” “Really?” said Maddy. “That’s too bad.” She picked up a tray with the decimated remains of a cheese selection. Cracker crumbs sat like rubble among the ruins of Swiss, Brie, and Pepper Jack. “It’s the kind of thing I’d do with my sisters.” “My sister thinks it’s a waste of time,” Molly said as they walked into the kitchen. “She told me she doesn’t know why I bother. Other people make it better, and with more expensive materials, and what was it she said? Oh, yes. There was no need to go around looking like I shop in a thrift store.” “No offense,” said Maddy, “but I don’t think I’d like your sister very much.” “None taken.” Molly put the glasses down carefully. “I don’t like her much, myself, a lot of the time. I think it’s pretty mutual.” “I know someone who likes you.” Maddy gave her a wink. “Who?” Molly looked at her with genuine curiosity. Maddy laughed. “Jake, silly.” “No,” said Molly, disbelieving. Then, with a hopeful note, “You think so?” Maddy laughed again, a clear, pleasant sound. “Absolutely.” Molly sighed and leaned against the counter. “I like him,” she admitted. “But…well, I think it’s obvious he’s not quite ready to jump back in the dating pool. That was a tough break up.” “He told you about Chelsea?” Maddy asked, surprised. Molly nodded. “It was the first night you had me over for dinner. When he walked me back, I offered to listen if he ever wanted to talk about whatever was bothering him. Then all of a sudden, he told me everything. I don’t know şişli escort why, and we haven’t talked about it since.” “I can’t imagine why.” Maddy gave a dry laugh. “Geez, what a conversation to have on the first date.” It was Molly’s turn to laugh. “It was hardly a date, just a walk home.” “You have to start somewhere.” “Well, maybe Saturday.” “Do tell.” Maddy left the dishes and turned to Molly.. “Jake invited me to a ball game,” Molly told her. “Oh, no.” Maddy groaned and closed her eyes. “Cam drags me to those. It’s like watching paint dry only less exciting.” “I like baseball,” Molly said hastily. “That’s not the problem. I just don’t know if it’s a game or a date. I think it’s just a game.” She waited a moment, then confessed, “I wish it was a date.” Maddy came over and squeezed her hand. Molly was so…open. She shouldn’t ever play poker, Maddy thought. Out loud, she said, “Well, some people say dating is a game. Maybe you can make a date out of it.” “I’m not that clever.” Molly sighed and looked away. “I’ll probably end up saying that to Jake, that I wish we were on a date. Then he’ll go to get a drink during the seventh inning stretch and I won’t realize until the ninth inning that he never came back and I’ll feel like a complete idiot and probably sit in my seat until the ushers throw me out.” Maddy couldn’t hide a smile as the words flew out of her friend’s mouth. Molly had a gotten much more comfortable recently and wasn’t usually nervous around Maddy or Cameron. But when the conversation turned to Jake, Molly’s speech tended to approach Mach 1. “I hardly think Jake will abandon you at a baseball game, no matter what you say,” Maddy told her. “It’s not his style.” “I guess you’re right.” Molly brushed her hair back. “I’m just such a flake and I know it. Jake seems so together. It hardly seems right that he’d be interested in me.” Maddy laughed şişli escort bayan loudly this time. “Jake could use a little flakiness in his life, not that you’re a flake.” She patted Molly’s hand. “Just go and enjoy it. And if anything slips out,” she shrugged, “sometimes Jake needs a push.” x-x-x-x Jake knocked on Molly’s door, irritated that he was nervous. It’s just a baseball game, he reminded himself. With a friend. A very cute, fun, female friend. He sighed. “Hi,” said Molly. Jake couldn’t help but smile as he stepped inside. “I think we may have a problem,” he said, gesturing at her shirt. “What? Why?” Molly looked down at her top, then back at Jake. “It says ‘Phillies,’” he observed. It looked cute on her, he had to admit. It was white with red lettering, and she wore it over a blue t-shirt sprinkled with silver stars. She’d left her hair down, and it caught him by surprise. It looked like a golden waterfall. He was so used to seeing it up in a pony tail—her usual style for work—that he’d forgotten what it looked like loose. “Well, yes,” she said, and could feel the words queuing up. “I’m from Philadelphia, so I’m a Phillies fan but if you think it would cause a problem I can go and change and…” To the surprise of both of them, Jake shushed her by placing a finger on her lips. Molly swallowed; it seemed more intimate than a kiss. “No.” He stepped back. “That’s not it.” He held up a shirt, and taking it in both hands, let it unfurl like a flag. Molly laughed as she read ‘Cardinals’ and saw the logo. “We’ll have to sit in different sections.” “Oh, I guess we’ll manage. We Cardinals’ fans aren’t like you hooligans in Philly.” He smirked. “No one throws snowballs at Santa Claus here.” “You don’t have the guts.” Molly narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Besides, need I remind you who won the 2008 World Series?” “True.” mecidiyeköy escort Jake grinned slyly. “Nice of them to win two titles within a person’s lifespan.” “Being a Phillies’ fan builds character,” Molly sniffed. “ We have personality.” “You have a court in the stadium for drunks!”. “That’s the Eagles,” Molly corrected. “And I don’t know if they still have that.” “Sobered right up for the new stadium, eh?” Molly arched an eyebrow. “You know, I don’t have to put up with this kind of disrespect.” Even as she said it, he could see her fighting to hide a grin. Jake took her in as she stood in front of him. She was beautiful. Her face was so open, so friendly; and her eyes were such a clear blue. Ever since she had surprised him with that hug, he’d been more than a little anxious to try it again. The chance just hadn’t presented itself. Until now. “You’re right,” he said. “Let me make up for it.” He took a step forward and pulled her to him, finding her lips with no trouble at all. When she gave a startled gasp, he took advantage and gently slipped his tongue against hers. Champagne, he thought, she tastes like champagne. With one hand at her waist, he slid his other around her neck and pressed her close. Molly wrapped her arms around him almost involuntarily, then held tightly, afraid he would let go. She’d wished for so long now that he would do exactly this that she wanted it to last as long as possible. She ran the fingers of one hand through his hair and smiled to herself when he gave a small mmmmm of pleasure. His hand threaded into her hair and tugged gently so that she tilted her head back. It was her turn to sigh when he gently kissed her neck. He found her lips again and slowly, reluctantly pulled away. He stepped back slightly but kept his arms around her. They stared at each other for a few moments, not sure what to say. Molly was afraid if she spoke she wouldn’t stop and bit her lip to keep quiet. Jake thought that was somewhere between adorable and completely sexy. “I hope that wasn’t, um, out of line,” he said. “Maybe a little out of left field,” Molly said, almost shyly.