The week passed by in a blur, and Molly was thankful to have Sunday off. Kelly offered her the chance to pick up a few more hours by working the entire weekend, but she declined. Sure, it might mean getting the car fixed a little bit faster, but she was tired, and she wanted the opportunity to spend the day with her son. Molly hated being away from him all day, but she also recognized it was something she would have to get used to. They were on their own now. If she was going to support the two of them, she would have to be working, no matter where they were.

Aside from Tim, there was Dak. Molly wouldn’t lie. She looked forward to spending more time with him, too. She enjoyed his company, especially his easy-going smile and the way he made her laugh. She also appreciated what a total gentleman he was, always respecting her boundaries and never pushing, even though she suspected he wanted more than friendship from her.

The weather on Sunday was cooler than normal, but it didn’t deter Julie from inviting all of them over for a picnic at her trailer. Molly appreciated the invite, especially since it gave her the opportunity to talk to Julie a bit, while Dak played soccer with Timmy and Kyle, as well as their older friend, Drake.

“It’s so nice of them to include Kyle in their game,” Julie said, “even though he’s a little awkward out there.”

He was, but he was a sweet boy and Molly was pleased with the way Timmy had taken a liking to him. “It’s not about skill, it’s about having fun.”

“Amen to that,” Julie said. “And it sure looks like they are having fun.”

“Mm hmm,” Molly agreed, enjoying the sounds of laughter coming from all four of them. Dak was a kid at heart, at least when he was around other kids.

“He’s going to make a great dad someday,” Julie said.

Molly set her glass of iced tea down on the picnic table, and turned to Julie with surprise. “Who? Dak?”

“Duh.” The word was followed by a chuckle. “Well, I expect that Kyle or Timmy or Drake might be good dads someday, too. At least I hope so. I meant Dak, though.” Julie gave her a knowing smile. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought the same thing a time or two.”

Molly let out a sigh. No, she couldn’t deny the same thought had occurred to her, or that it left her quite unsettled. She didn’t need this distraction in her life. She couldn’t have any distractions, period, no matter how attractive and appealing they might be. “Yes, I’ve noticed. He has such an easygoing way about him.” It reminded Molly somewhat of the way Dustin had been, at least before his first tour of duty changed him, and not for the better. And then came the second that killed him. The truth was, if Dustin hadn’t been killed, Molly wondered if their marriage would’ve survived his return from that stint overseas. They were so young, barely more than kids themselves when they began dating, and ultimately became parents. Even before Dustin left on the deployment that would end his life, he was a far different person than the young solider Molly had fallen for during his basic training at Ft. Benning.

“You two seem to have gotten awfully close in a very short time,” Julie remarked, jolting Molly back to the present.

“Who? Dak and me?”

Julie rolled her eyes. “I thought that was obvious.”

Was it? “We’re just friends,” Molly said, “and we’re only going to be friends.”

“Sure, you keep on telling yourself that. Maybe you’ll even start to believe it.” Julie got up from her chair. “While you’re at it, want to help me start getting the food outside? I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” Molly agreed, following her. At least it would put an end to the awkward conversation about she and Dak.

***

LUNCH WASN’T ANYTHING special, just sub sandwiches, pea salad and potato chips, but Molly appreciated that Julie had gone to the trouble. Over the late afternoon meal, she learned that it was a bit of a celebration. Julie had just found out that Rickie might be up for parole even sooner than expected, and in fact might be home by the following Spring.

“I hope it all works out for her,” Dak said to Molly later, as the two of them walked around Sweetbay Lake. Timmy had gone off to play with Drake and his dog giving them a little time alone.

At least Kiki and Darcy weren’t parading around nude. Molly wondered if they took Sundays off. “So do I,” she said. “I like her.”

“I told you, there’re some good people around here.”

“I never doubted it.”

“Like your neighbor, for example” Dak said. “I hear he’s a really great guy.”

“You think so?” Molly tightened her lips into a pretend frown. “Where’d you hear that from?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Dak shrugged. “Just around. People talk.”

“That’s true.”

“What do you think of him?”

“My neighbor?” Molly asked, playing dumb.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I don’t know him very well, but he seems like a good guy,” Molly said. “Helpful, for sure. He’s been a good friend.”

“Hmm. Just a friend, then?” Dak asked. There it was. Molly tensed. Was he going to push for more? “For now, yes.” Her voice was firm. “I thought we talked about this.”

“We did, yeah.” Dak stopped walking. “Molly, look at me,” he said, his voice soft.

She stopped, too, and turned to face him. “What?”

“I’ll be your friend. I already told you I would, and nothing has changed. I won’t lie, though. I want more. It’s up to you to decide how you feel about that,” Dak said, and before Molly could speak again, before she could even decide what she wanted to say, his lips were on hers.

The kiss was soft and tender, yet full of promise. It was also over almost as soon as it began, much to Molly’s considerable relief... and disappointment. That she could feel both was testament to how confused this man made her. She wanted to prove her independence. She needed to. Yet she couldn’t ignore how attractive he was.

“Dak...” The word came out at barely above a whisper.

“I know. Believe me, I know.” He took a step back. “That’s it for now. I promise. Just like the song says.”

“What song?” She wasn’t following this conversation, and it was probably because of that kiss.

“Lady Antebellum,” he said. “The one about not pushing too far? You know it, right?”

“Just a Kiss.” Molly smiled as she thought of the lyrics, and glanced up at the sky. Okay, it wasn’t quite moonlight yet, but she got the reference.

He wanted more, and this was his way of telling her that, but she could also trust that he wouldn’t push until he knew she was ready. “We should probably go find Timmy and get back to the cabin before it gets too dark.”

Dak nodded. “You’re right. We should.”