Page 222 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

She nodded.

“You’re still coming to the basketball game tonight? You, me, and a box of popcorn, watching the local merchants versus the high school kids?”

She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“It’s a local tradition.” He tugged her closer, moving his head to whisper next to her ear. “We could stick around, wait for everyone to leave, and make out under the bleachers.”

She grinned. “That’s quite an offer.”

His shoulders relaxed a little. “You can write me a note—circle yes or no.”

She laughed.

He winked and kissed her again before he headed for the door. They were still fumbling their way through dicey territory, but he was determined to find the answers he needed and keep their relationship on track.

~~~~

Callie stocked extra brownies in the display case for the upcoming lunch hour rush while Molly set out freshly baked loaves of honey whole-wheat and French bread—the deli’s most popular selections. The midmorning craziness had kept Callie plenty busy, yet she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about yesterday’s jaunt through the forest and her argument with Nate. Although they’d put their differences aside after a sexy night in the tub, it was impossible to deny that there had been some lingering tension when Nate stopped by a few minutes ago.

“So, what’s up with you and my brother?”

Callie frowned as she looked over her shoulder, meeting Molly’s gaze in the empty space. “Who says something’s up with me and Nate?”

“One, I know my brother. Two, I know you. Three, it didn’t take a relationship expert to see that there’s trouble in paradise while you two were talking.”

Callie turned and set the empty tray on the counter, not liking that Molly seemed to be able to read her as easily as Nate could. “Everything’s fine. We’re fine.”

Molly’s left eyebrow winged up. “If you say so.”

“I do. Just last night we had insane bathtub sex. Nate made me orgasm three times before we left the bathroom.”

Molly cringed. “God, I don’t want to hear things like that. Just tell me to mind my own business next time.”

Callie couldn’t help but smile. “I just did.”

Molly grinned. “All right. Let me just say that I don’t like seeing two of my favorite people unhappy. If you want to talk about it, we can.”

Callie sighed, feeling guilty for being a little nasty, knowing that Molly was only trying to help. “It’s not that we’re unhappy. It’s just… Nate’s obsessed with my case—with finding out what happened to my biological mother.”

Molly stacked her tray on top of the one Callie had set down. “Don’t you want to know where she is?”

“Yes.” She sighed again, leaning her hip against the granite. “Of course I do. I’m so thankful Nate and Detective Sanchez are working on figuring everything out, but he’s changing.”

Molly frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Nate’s so serious most of the time and distracted. He hardly sleeps and it’s so rare for him to joke around with me anymore, which makes me sad because that’s one of my favorite things about our relationship.” She nibbled her lip, hating that she suddenly felt like she was going to cry. “As much as I want to know where my mother is, sometimes I wish I never found that picture.”

Molly sent her a sympathetic smile. “Things are pretty complicated.”

Callie nodded. “This has turned into so much more than tracking down a woman who walked away from her child.” She crossed her arms, hugging herself. “Nate doesn’t think she’s alive—that something happened to her out in Brewster’s Forest. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be saying that to you, so please don’t repeat it.”

“I won’t.” Molly closed the distance between them and hooked her arm around Callie’s waist in support. “I’m sorry.”

She rested her head on Molly’s shoulder, taking the comfort her friend offered. “The investigation’s been heading there for a while, but I don’t want to believe it. For years, I’ve been angry with her—hated her at times for leaving me. If someone hurt her… What kind of person does that make me for loathing and resenting someone who didn’t get a choice?”

“You were a little girl, Callie.”

She shook her head. “I haven’t been a child for a long time.”