for a refill.
“Thank you.” She stood to leave.
“I totally understand. You should discuss it with Aiden first.”
What? “Oh no, that’s not it.” Not really. Okay maybe it was. “There’s nothing going on between Aiden and me,” she lied.
“Really? Maybe you should tell Aiden.” Mike laughed. “Now get to work.” He winked, as she left the office.
Molly walked to her office in a fog. A real P.R. job after only a week as an intern. She couldn’t believe her luck. But it meant leaving the city…and Aiden. Why was this decision so hard? It’s what you’ve been waiting for. You’ve only known Aiden Ford for a few weeks, and you didn’t even like him at first. Well, she liked him now. More than liked him.
“Arrrg.” She moaned and leaned her head against her office door. Buffalo wasn’t that far away.
Far enough.
****
Molly opened her condo door and heard the sound of two deep voices in a heated debate about the Yankees baseball team. Who was Aiden talking to?
Entering the living room, she stopped cold. Aiden sat in one armchair, coffee in hand. Across from him sat her father.
“Dad?” Molly almost dropped the bag of groceries she carried.
Aiden jumped up to take the bag from her.
She shot him an inquisitive look.
He ignored it and disappeared into the kitchen.
She turned her attention to her father. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the city and thought I’d stop by. Have to say, I’m surprised to find a man here.” He chuckled.
“Oh Aiden’s just a friend… He was evicted…” Molly shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable.
“I know, he explained the situation. Guess your meddling back-fired, huh?” Her father laughed.
“Guess so,” Molly mumbled. “So what can I do for you, Dad?” She crossed her arms and waited. Her father came to the city at least once a week, and he’d only stopped by twice in two years. He was here for a reason.
“More coffee, Mel?” Aiden appeared, coffee pot in hand. He handed a cup to Molly.
So they were on a first name basis. How nice. She took the cup he offered her but didn’t drink.
“No thanks, Aiden. I won’t stay long.” Mel opened his briefcase and removed a file. He stood and walked toward his daughter.
Here we go.
“I just wanted to leave this with you to take a look at.” He handed the file to Molly.
She took the file but didn’t open it. “What is this, Dad?”
“Open it, and read it.”
“Just tell me.” She set down the coffee cup and waited, extending the folder to her father.
“It’s a business proposal for the new office. I hoped you would reconsider my offer.” He took the folder and opened it. “See, here are the designs for the office space.”
“Dad, no.”
“Just read it through.”
“I don’t have to. I already said no when you suggested it last month.” Suggested was an understatement. He’d assumed her answer would be yes and had drafted a press release announcing her as the new office manager. He hadn’t been pleased by her refusal.
“Molly, I’ve looked at the proposal. It sounds like a great opportunity,” Aiden interjected.
Who asked him for his opinion? “Well, why don’t you take the position?” It was childish, but she didn’t appreciate being tag-teamed and caught off-guard.
Her father shrugged. “She’s been like this since she learned the word no .” He picked up his coat from the armchair and tucked the folder back inside his briefcase.
“I have a job, Dad.” She hated disappointing her father, but working for him was not an option she would entertain.
“But it’s only an internship. Molly, this is an amazing offer.” Aiden touched her arm.
She pulled away. Who did they think they were? She didn’t need their input on how she should live her life.
“It’s no use, young man. Molly is as stubborn as I am.” Her father winked at her as he put on his gloves and leaned to kiss her cheek. “Are you still going to try to make it to dinner
Alys Arden
Claude Lalumiere
Chris Bradford
Capri Montgomery
A. J. Jacobs
John Pearson
J.C. Burke
Charlie Brooker
Kristina Ludwig
Laura Buzo