Molly:

It’s really kind of adorable seeing how nervous Tucker is as we sit in the booth at Benny’s waiting for Cheryl. I know she’s going to like him. He’s right up her alley, and I keep assuring him of that, but the way he’s tapping his foot under the table is just plain cute.

“Are we having the usual, Miss Hill?” Mark asks me with a wink. “Bloody Mary, extra spicy?”

“Oh definitely,” I assure him. “And one for my boyfriend, too please.”

Tucker squeezes my knee under the table and I just flash him a smile.

“What was that all about?” he asks me as Mark skips off.

“What, you don’t like Bloody Marys? They’re really good here…” I tease.

“Your boyfriend, huh?”

“I’m sorry! You’ve been living with me for a month, I have seen you naked literally every day since I met you, and last I checked, you were a boy… well, I mean, you know what I mean.”

For a moment I’m nervous, maybe I overstepped there. It’s just that I’m so utterly into him, and now that I finally get to take him out in public and show him off, I want the world to know exactly what he means to me.

He stretches his arm out, putting it around me, grinning from ear to ear.

“I guess I’m just not used to the sound of it. I’ll take it, but I guess I just have to get used to it.”

“What would you rather call I call you, Tucker? My slam piece? My man friend? Some guy who touches my boobs and my heart?”

“You can call me whatever you want,” he teases, kissing me on the forehead. “As long as I am the only man who comes anywhere near your chest.”

“Well look at this happy couple,” Cheryl squeals. Her red hair is tucked up into two buns high on her head and she’s wearing denim overalls and a black sports bra. She’s covered in paint splatter from head to toe. “You must be Tucker. I have to say, Molly, not what I expected at all.”

She slides the chair at the end of the table out with a loud screech and sits down with a sigh.

“How so?” I ask her.

“You know it’s just going to come off as rude. Just knowing the social circle you run around with and all,” she stammers, almost apologetically.

“She expected you to be dirtier, Tucker,” Mark says, placing our drinks in front of us. “It would’ve made her feel better about herself knowing that Molly was willing to sink to the levels she sinks to on a regular basis.”

“Hey,” she pouts, punching him in the stomach jokingly.

“Don’t hit the last person who’s gonna touch your food before you get it,” Mark teases her. “You know I love you, girl.”

“It’s Molly’s fault. She makes me shower or I’m not allowed to sleep inside.” Everyone starts laughing, and I feel like things are going really well already. I really like Cheryl; she’s one of the best and fastest friends I’ve ever made. I knew that if I liked Tucker she’d do whatever she could to support me, but now I can really tell the two of them are going to get along and that makes me feel so good.

“So what were you up to, oh elusive one?” I ask her. “You’ve been about as hard to track down as I have lately.”

“I’m redoing the yoga studio, actually,” she says. “One of my longtime clients made a hefty donation for upgrades. I’m having trouble finding contractors to come help me for whatever reason, though. Guess it’s a busy season. I’m just trying to gut out as much as possible on my own until I can find some help.”

“Well as soon as I finish this story you know I’ll gladly do whatever I can,” I offer.

“Does that mean you’re going to stay?” she asks cheerfully. I hadn’t really thought about what my next move was going to be. Now that Tucker is a part of my life, things are a little more complicated.

“One day at a time, Cheryl,” I explain.

“How is that story coming along anyway?”

“Exactly how you told me it would go. No offense, Tucker.”

“Why do you guys think I’m so easy to offend?” he asks. “You think I’m completely unaware that I live in the woods with no running water and a band of ex-convicts?”

“By choice, I must add,” I tease, kissing him softly.

My phone starts ringing in my purse and I pull it out, looking down at it anxiously.

“It’s my agent, guys. He’s probably expecting some sort of news. I’m gonna go outside and take this.” I nervously leave the table. I can’t stop putting him off. Maybe I need to just come clean so that I can get some professional advice.