LITMIR.BIZ

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had taught her to look behind a man’s character traits to find out what really made him tick.

      ‘Vicki?’ Nathan indicated the chair he’d pulled out.

      ‘The birthday girl gets to sit at the top of the table.’ Hank pulled out another chair.

      ‘You’re right.’ Vicki grinned and sat down on Hank’s chair. ‘Molly, why don’t you take that chair Nathan’s holding?’

      Because Nathan had already slung his jacket over the one next to it. Looking around the table, Molly saw seats were filling rapidly, leaving her little choice. Fake it... Forcing a smile on her mouth and lifting her chin like nothing was wrong in her world—because it wasn’t any more—she strolled around to plonk down on the chair Nathan was holding out. ‘Thanks.’

      ‘You want a coffee?’ he asked, surprise and something else she couldn’t interpret flitting across his face.

      Thoughtlessly putting a hand on his arm, she said, ‘I’ll get it.’ She jerked away. She never touched a man. Showed how safe she felt around Nathan, despite his attitude.

      He said in his I’m-here-to-help-you voice usually reserved for patients, ‘I’m going to check the champagne I’ve ordered to toast Vicki’s birthday is coming out soon. I’ll put our coffee orders in at the same time.’ His gaze was intent, his eyes searching for something in her expression.

      Okay, lighten up. ‘That’d be great. A flat white, thanks.’ Her tongue felt far too big for her mouth. Just another way he tipped her world off its new axis. ‘Are we all putting in for the champagne?’ But he was gone, slipping through the crowd building around other tables, aiming for the counter, head and shoulders above everyone he passed.

      Since she’d run away from Paul she hadn’t gone out with a man, never let one in her home or talked about her past to anyone. At first she’d struggled facing the world as most people she knew had blamed her for Paul’s arrest. He was so charismatic they’d believed him until the truth had come out in court and those same people had begun fawning over her, wanting to get back onside. She’d struggled not to turn bitter. At the time, dating men had been an impossibility.

      Until now. Looking at Nathan, she thought he’d be protective of those he loved. He always stood up for a patient whenever a family member tried to force proceedings in the department that were wrong. No doubt he’d protect anybody who got into danger if he was close by.

       Downright crazy to believe that without proof. Look what happened the last time I trusted a man.

      Paul hadn’t been kind and gentle with those less fortunate than himself, instead he’d enjoyed showing how much better than others he was. Something she hadn’t seen until it had been too late. Hadn’t known to look. Paul had been the catch every woman wanted, and with her mother actively encouraging her, she’d gone for him and won. Then lost. The first year of her marriage had been bliss, then the cracks had started appearing. She was a lousy hostess, a simpleton, useless at any damned thing. Then she’d fallen pregnant and it was all over.

      Molly shook her head. Stop right now. She was out with a bunch of great people. She needed to forget the self-pity and enjoy herself, not turn in on herself and repeat the mistake she’d made with the Roos, the basketball team she’d been a member of. The regret she felt every weekend when she looked up the team’s results from the Saturday game made her ache, made her wish she’d stopped worrying about letting anyone close for fear of being hurt and got on with enjoying being a part of a great bunch of women. If only she hadn’t given in and quit, she might’ve moved on with getting a life sooner.

       So, get cracking and enjoy this morning.

      Straightening her spine and breathing deeply, she then fell into another old habit, checking out the latest suits to walk into the café, swinging briefcases and checking their phones. But today she wasn’t looking for trouble, instead comparing the men with Nathan. He came out top every time. Something to think about once she was back in her apartment.

      ‘Here you go. Coffee’s on the way.’ A glass of water appeared before her. ‘As is the champagne,’ Nathan told Vicki.

      ‘Great.’ Molly sat up straighter. Today she might even celebrate her divorce. One sip of champagne for that, and no one at the table would be any the wiser.

      Her gaze returned to Nathan, and instantly her heart forgot that memo about not thumping too hard. Crazy. He was just another male she worked with—one who happened to be bone-meltingly good looking, and currently making her aware of him in ways she’d hadn’t known around men for a long time. Yet there was something about him that had her wondering what it would be like to curl up against his chest, be held in those strong arms and just relax, be happy. No, it wasn’t happening. She wasn’t ready. Could she give it a go? Probably not.

      Nathan handed her a menu. ‘Here, take a look. Most of us know this off by heart. There are some great choices.’

      ‘Suddenly I’m starving.’ Molly began scanning the page.

      Nathan grunted. ‘I’m past hungry. Could eat a whole sirloin.’

      She laughed. ‘How about tofu and grains?’

      His eyes widened. He hadn’t thought she’d tease him? Last week she wouldn’t have. ‘You can’t pull that one. Like I said, I’ve been here before.’

      ‘Okay, so one whole sirloin, and what?’ The whole steak wasn’t on offer, but he could order two helpings. ‘Chips or hash browns, as well as eggs and bacon?’

      ‘Stop right there.’ He was smiling directly at her, and it was making her stomach feel like hot chocolate dropped into cream, swirling, warming, tempting. ‘Don’t mention food like that when I’m this hungry.’

      ‘But you’re smiling.’ When she was starving she couldn’t smile.

      ‘Don’t trust it.’

      Sorry, Nathan, but I do believe you. Gazing at him, and especially at his smile, Molly felt no qualms. No fear of him erupting into a rage because he needed to eat now, not in ten minutes. Again, she felt that rare sense of safety around him. Needing to put mental space between them, she’d join in the conversations going on around her and enjoy the birthday celebration. After she told the hovering waitress she’d like the eggs Benedict, that was.

      The room was crowded, with a queue waiting at the counter for take-out coffees and pastries. In their corner her group was out of the way and could talk without yelling. The champagne arrived and glasses were filled.

      Nathan stood up. ‘Happy birthday, Vicki. May all your wishes come true.’

      Vicki blinked. ‘Thanks. I only have one, and it’s not happening.’ Another blink, and she raised her glass. ‘Cheers, everyone, and thank you for joining me today.’

      Molly wanted to hug Vicki and wipe away that sadness. Spontaneous hugs not being her thing any more, the best she could manage was to have fun, and not bring her past into the room. Suddenly she was very glad she’d come. Today she’d started to live, not just exist. It was a tiny step in the right direction, but it was a bigger step than usual. There’d be plenty more. Yes, there would.

      Nathan sat down and picked up his glass of water. ‘Anyone want to start singing “Happy Birthday”? Not me, I’d empty the place.’

      ‘That’d make it a memorable day for Vicki,’ someone joked.

      Without a thought, Molly began singing ‘Happy Birthday’. Instead of everyone joining in, they stared at her. She faltered to a stop. ‘What’s wrong?’

      ‘Nothing,’ everyone cried. ‘Carry on.’

      Embarrassed, she shook her head and sipped her water. ‘Someone else can have a turn.’

      ‘Not after that, they can’t,’ Nathan muttered. ‘You sing like an angel.’

      For a moment she forgot everything

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