Page 76 of The Last Autograph
“Most people see him as this gruff guy who shuns small talk and loves getting amongst the waves, but there’s a lot more to him than those outward perceptions. He wants a family and a relationship worthy of his time and effort. Something solid… built on that strong foundation of mutual values and trust.” Hazel lifted her cup to her lips and took a sip. “A woman who’ll build that life with him.”
Compared to her previous “wrong foot” comment, the harshness of Hazel’s words stung. “But not me. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Look, no offense, Molly, but I just think… well, Jake’s not getting any younger. And Alexia tells me you’re a career girl who never stays in one place for long.”
Alexia?“And you believe that the more time he spends with me, the less he’ll have to focus on what he really wants?”
“I must give credit where credit’s due, Molly. You’re more perceptive than I initially assumed.” Hazel steepled her hands in front of her, the scone still uneaten on her plate. “My words might seem harsh, and that’s not my intention, but you and I both know you can never be that girl. Not after what happened between you and Jesse.”
“And what was that?”
Hazel frowned. “Sorry?”
Molly took a deep breath as more people entered the cafe, the surrounding noise a distraction she didn’t need. “What’s your reference to my relationship with Jesse?”
“Look, I don’t mean to be unkind.” Hazel’s expression softened. “It’s just… well, I don’t really need to explain, do I?”
Molly wasn’t about to let Jake’s mother get away with not providing the explanation she deserved. That would be too easy, and she wanted to know exactly what Hazel meant. “Please, say what’s on your mind. After all, that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?”
“Okay, well, I know Jake believes otherwise,” Hazel leaned forward and lowered her voice, “but I can’t get over the fact that you took off as soon as Jesse found out he was ill.”
“Is that what Jesse told you? That I abandoned him?”
“Actually, he never mentioned you to me at all, so really”—she injected a caustic smile—“that speaks volumes in itself, don’t you think?”
As Hazel’s words lodged in her mind, Molly said nothing.
“That’s why this money business makes no sense. I can’t imagine what he was thinking by including you in his will. And to not even mention it to any of us… Well, he discussed it with Henry once or twice, but I wasn’t privy to those conversations.”
Molly bit the inside of her top lip, forcing herself to wait before speaking again. Once, when faced with a misunderstanding as momentous as this, she’d defend herself to the bitter end. But emotional maturity and the passage of time had gradually smoothed over those cracks in her personality. Now, knowing this argument was hopeless, Molly inhaled calmly and focused on how much Jesse once loved the woman sitting in front of her—and how Jake still loved her. Out of respect for the two men, it wasn’t her place to rock that boat.
She discreetly checked her watch. Time to shut this shit show down. “I should get going, but if I may say one final thing.”
Hazel straightened in her chair, her cup nestled in both hands, its rim stained with lipstick the same shade of pink as her power suit. “Of course. I’m not a monster, you know. Just a mother who loves her sons…son.”
“It wasn’t my choice to leave him. However, defense is often seen as denial, and what happened between Jesse and me is private. He was a lovely guy, and for that, I thank you and your husband for the way you raised him.” Molly gathered her bag, both hands gripping the strap. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
As she prepared to stand, Hazel spoke again. “So, you understand?”
Deaf ears.
Molly stopped herself from saying,“Perfectly.”Sure, she appreciated Hazel’s point of view, but stating that she understoodperfectlywould be an affront to her feelings for Jake, and Molly wasn’t prepared to deny their connection to his mother, no matter how much Hazel disapproved of her son’s choices.
She was about to answer when Hazel continued, “I’m not normally one to interfere in Jake’s life. After all, he’s been my proverbial black sheep since the day he was born. And, despite their differences, he loved his twin. But this fling you’re having is nothing more than a sad little betrayal, and Jake doesn’t deserve to come second best to his late brother. I understand you may have feelings for him, but I’d hate for him to resent you when he eventually comes to his senses.”
“I—”
“And I know my son.” Hazel refused to let it go. “He won’t back down. When he wants something, he goes after it, no matter the personal cost. So I guess what I’m asking is for you to step back. Let him grieve in his own time—give him the space he deserves. And quite honestly, he misses Paris a lot more than he lets on, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he decides to move back there permanently. So much of his life is over there.” She paused. “Did he tell you about Ava?”
Shit.“He did.”
Hazel raised a brow. “I always thought they would marry. And I’m sorry, Molly, but I’m still holding out hope that they sort through their differences and get back together.” She offered a sad smile. “Please don’t stand in their way.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the coffee.” It was the polite thing to say, but not the words in her heart. And right at that moment, her heart was splintering as those words fought to break free.
Molly stood, trying to steady herself as emotion burned in her gut. “I really have to go. Please, don’t get up.”
Time seemed to slow as she pushed through the doors and bounded down the steps to the pavement below. While hurrying along the street toward her car, she fumbled in the bottom of her bag for her keys. By the time she found them, tears were threatening to spill.
