By the time Molly and Adam arrived back at the inn, her mood had lifted. They’d spent an hour listening to Nonnie reminisce about the shenanigans she and Lizzie had gotten themselves into back in the day.
Though Molly was disappointed by the lack of information they’d gleaned on Benjamin, she felt as though she knew Lizzie much better. She didn’t know why that was important to her, but it was. She and Adam rehashed the stories on the ride back.
Nonnie had taken to Adam, almost flirting with him as the evening wore on. Molly delighted in the way he’d ducked his head, a flush crawling up his neck. He was such a breath of fresh air. In high school and even after she’d been attracted to the heartbreaker types. But she’d learned her lesson there.
The stars were out in full force as they made their way up the walk, and the scent of jasmine hung heavily in the night air. The porch was lit with golden light, making the inn look homey.
“You know you have to show up at book club now, right?” Molly continued their conversation from the car. Once Nonnie had found out Adam was an avid reader, it had been a full court press.
“I thought you said it was all women.”
“Well, it is, but only because we haven’t been able to rope a man into coming yet.”
He chuckled wryly. “Well, when you put it like that . . .”
“You have a whole week to read the book.”
“That would be the novel titled Hot Flashes and Cold Cream?”
“It’ll be educational for you. Besides,” she added, tossing a coy look over her shoulder as she hit the porch, “Nonnie will be so disappointed if you don’t come.”
He gave her a look.
She was laughing at his discomfort as she pushed through the front door. “You know it’s true. She was hanging on your every word.”
Molly spotted Levi behind the front desk, hanging up the phone. He pinned them with those perceptive blue eyes. “Hello.”
“Hey, Levi.” She’d taken Adam through the back door earlier just to avoid the look her brother was giving her now.
“Hello.” Adam shifted. Poked his glasses into place.
Levi crossed his arms, that bland smile she recognized so well barely curving his lips.
Adam cleared his throat. “I, uh, think I’ll head on up.”
“Take a cookie with you.” Molly lifted the glass dome on the counter. “Oatmeal raisin—one of Miss Della’s best. You won’t regret it.”
“My favorite.” Adam took one, offering her a brief smile. “Thanks.”
She replaced the dome as he turned toward the stairs. “Good night, Adam.”
“Good night,” he said to both of them before heading up.
Molly prompted Levi with a pointed look.
“Good night,” Levi said belatedly.
Adam’s footsteps receded, the stairs creaking in familiar places. Molly crossed her own arms, staring Levi down as the footsteps continued overhead all the way down the hall. A few seconds later Adam’s door closed with a quiet click.
“You were rude to him,” Molly said quietly. “And in case you forgot, he’s a guest.”
Levi snorted. “I’m not the one who’s forgotten that.”
“I’m a friendly person,” she said with a thrust of her chin.
“You’re getting awfully personal with him, Molly.”
“Inns are personal. That’s one of our many draws.”
“This is beyond professional hospitality, and you know it. Hiding out in the library, running around with him at night . . .”
Oh, for— “We’re working on a project together.”
He rolled his eyes. “That’s another thing. You and that letter. It’s taking up too much of your time. There’s stuff to do around here. We have a full house this weekend and—”
“Don’t you dare accuse me of neglecting my job. I’ve been working my butt off around here. I’m allowed to take two minutes to myself.”
“We’ve already run out of complimentary shampoo—”
“A simple oversight. I’ve ordered more.”
“And you never replaced the bulb in room three.”
She huffed. “I’ll do it now.”
“Don’t bother, I already did it.”
Warmth prickled under her arms. Just because Levi was older and possessed a business degree didn’t mean he was the boss.
“You’re going to have to maintain some healthy boundaries with the guests, Molly. You can’t get so involved in everyone’s life.”
She lowered her voice. “He’s just helping me with the letter, Levi. That’s all.”
“Why does that letter matter so much to you anyway? Furthermore, why does it matter so much to him?”
“He’s paying back a debt. He didn’t like freeloading off us while we waited to get our permit—which was your idea—so he offered to help me. That’s an honorable thing, Levi. Sheesh.”
“I thought he came here to work. Don’t you find it a little strange that suddenly he has so much time to dig around on a personal project for you?”
“He’s only doing this on the side. Of course his work comes first.”
“And what is that exactly? Why is he here, other than to usurp all your time?”
“He does research.”
“Research? What kind of vague answer is that?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know, Levi. The kind he gave when I asked, and I was so busy keeping those boundaries in place that I didn’t pry any further. Why are you so suspicious of him anyway? He’s been nothing but kind.”
He gave her a long, knowing look. The hall clock ticked in the silence.
Dread dropped like a pebble into the water, the ripples spreading outward, unstoppable.
Levi’s left eye twitched. “I’m worried about you, Molly. You don’t exactly have the best judgment where men are concerned.”
Her chest constricted painfully. “Low blow, Levi.”
She wanted to walk away, but she knew she’d regret it. She’d lie in bed stewing, feeling that clamp tighten around her heart until she was forced to go to her brother and make things right between them again. It seemed to be the way of things these days.
She drew a deep breath and blew it out, determined not to say anything that would drive a wedge between them.
“I’m just trying to look out for you, Molly.”
The warmth in his tone made it a little easier to hold her tongue. “I know you are. But I don’t need a babysitter, Levi. All right? I’m an adult. And I’m not going to shirk my duties around here.”
He looked at her for a long moment, then finally gave a nod. “Fair enough.”
Molly felt her chest loosen a bit. “All right. I’m going to bed now.”
“Good night.”
“Night,” she said. Then, compelled by that inner nagging voice, she added, “Love you.”
Levi gave her a strange look. “Love you too.”
She’d been saying that more often since their parents’ death, but it was an important thing to say. Because you never knew when it would be your last chance.