Guilt washed over Nicholas, thick and inescapable, as he thought about how he’d sold their chance at a love story to the highest bidder.
Chapter 30
Molly
“I’m sorry for asking you to come over like this, Hannah, I know it’s the night before your big day,” Molly sobbed, sitting on her living room couch with Hannah seated right beside her.
“Don’t apologize for calling me over. There’s no place in the world I’d rather be,” Hannah told her. She offered Molly a sympathetic smile. “Do you want me to make you some hot chocolate? Will that make it feel a little bit better?”
“I think this might be one of those heartbreaks that can’t be cured by sugar,” Molly said sadly.
“Yikes. It’s that bad, huh?” Hannah scooted a bit closer to Molly’s side. “Okay, so I think I got the gist of it over the phone, but tell me what happened again.”
“Nicholas sold the store.” It hurt a little bit less every time she said it, but it still felt like a crushing defeat. “But that’s not even the worst part. It’s the way he did it. He sold it, and he didn’t tell me until about an hour ago. It was like all he cared about was his business and the money. And it felt like I—”
“Like you were a second thought,” Hannah helped Molly complete her sentence. “Like he thought, no matter what choice he made, you’d go right along with him?”
“Yes! Exactly!” Molly sat up on the couch with a start. “Hannah, it was the strangest thing. One minute, I felt like I knew him, and then it’s like a switch flipped, and all he could care about was his business.”
“Maybe his business is his first love,” Hannah suggested. “Maybe, no matter how much he cared about you, how much he cares about anyone, his business will always come first. Some people are just like that, you know. They don’t really get sentimental.”
“But he said I had his heart,” Molly whispered. She could then feel the tears building up behind her eyes again, but she managed to keep the flood at bay. “It's all so stupid.”
“Well, if he's dumb enough to do this, he doesn't deserve you,” Hannah told her. “Good riddance.”
Molly's face crumpled. “Hannah, what if I’m the one making a mistake? What if I’m supposed to go with him? Mom told me that sometimes, when you love someone, something big has to change. What if I’m supposed to be the one who changes?”
“Molly Carmichael, listen to me carefully,” Hannah said forcefully. “It’s one thing to change a bad habit, but it’s an entirely different thing to change your heart. You’re not built the same as Nicholas Kerstman. You would never choose money over following your dreams or doing what makes you happy. You would never choose a sack full of cash over the person you love, either.”
“But what if he's the one?” Molly asked, tears filling her eyes again.
Hannah sighed. “I don’t know, Molly. I just don’t think you’re the one who’s supposed to change here. You’re a good person, all the way through.”
Molly smiled over at Hannah. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to move to New York. You don’t want me bothering you when you’re all rich and famous.”
“Hey! I’ve put up with you for twelve long years. Haven’t I suffered enough?” Hannah asked, crossing her arms and wearing a withering look.
Molly finally let herself laugh. She knew Hannah was trying to cheer her up.
“You know, I really don’t think New York is so bad. I mean, it was the first place I grew up. But I just don’t know, Hannah,” Molly said with a sigh. “I like it here. I like living here. I like being close to my parents. I like my job. I'm a part of the town.”
“You don’t have to explain to anyone why you want to stay anywhere, Molly,” Hannah told her. She smiled over at Molly. “You can just stay. No questions asked. As long as you’re sure staying is what’ll make you happy.”
“I’m sure. I think,” Molly said, her face furrowed as she tried to decide. “Maybe?”
“Maybe?” Hannah asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, no. I’m sure, I’m sure. I can almost imagine myself in New York, but it never feels right.” She shook her head and sighed. “I just wish being so sure it's not the right place didn’t make me feel so awful.”
Hannah hugged her friend. Molly leaned against her, wishing that she knew what she was supposed to do. She just wanted to be happy.
“Hey. That hot chocolate offer is still on the table,” Hannah said after a while. “Are you sure sugar won’t make you feel even a little bit better?”
“You know what? Let’s give it a try,” Molly said, running a hand through her hair. “There’s nothing wrong with giving tons of sugar a shot.”
“Nothing wrong at all,” Hannah agreed. She grinned back at Molly before she moved away from the couch. “Just give me five minutes in the kitchen. And in the meantime, put on one of those Christmas movies you like. Maybe the Muppet one?”
“But you don’t like that one,” Molly replied. “You like the one with the Star Trek guy better.”