“I’m sorry, I should have thought of that,” I said. “But I just…had to welcome you to Hawaii.”
Molly smiled, and I was struck again by how much she had changed. There was a new confidence about her that hadn’t existed before. There was more maturity in her features, which lent itself to her beauty. She really did look like a modern-day Grace Kelly.
“Have you had anything to drink?” I asked. “I can get some refreshments up here.”
“No need,” she said quickly. “Your staff already saw to it. I met Ben downstairs.”
“Ben,” I nodded. “I expected him to bring you up to meet me.”
“There was an emergency he needed to sort out,” I told him.
“Thank God for Ben,” I said. “I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
We fell quiet for a moment, and in that silence, Molly’s eyes met mine. She was looking at me with a curious expression, and I couldn’t help searching her face. It felt as though there was an unspoken conversation that needed to be had, sitting between us and distracting us both.
“Thank you for the plane ticket, Tristan,” Molly said at last, breaking the silence. “I haven’t traveled first class in quite some time.”
“You’re most welcome,” I replied. “How was the helicopter ride here?”
“Fabulous
,” she said, and her eyes lit up. “It was amazing experiencing Hawaii from that vantage point. This island is breathtaking.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I nodded.
“Tristan…” She looked at me awkwardly.
“Yes?”
“Are you sure I can’t pay for this trip?” she asked. “I feel bad staying here for free.”
“Nonsense,” I said immediately. “I want to do this.”
“You wanted to do this for Jason,” she pointed out. “I’m not Jason.”
I was surprised to find that I was annoyed at the mention of Jason. He was just another reminder that Molly was off limits to me. Then again, I reasoned that I needed reminders to keep me in check, especially if Molly was going to be around for the next few weeks.
“You’re a lot prettier than he is,” I joked, brushing off my initial annoyance. “Which means you’re more deserving.”
She smirked at me. “This was very generous of you,” she said. “And, I want you to know how much I appreciate it. So does Jason.”
“Of course,” I nodded. “Don’t even mention it.”
She nodded. She seemed to be working through something in her head, and I wondered for a moment if she was remembering the last time we had spoken.
“How have you been, Molly?” I asked.
“I’ve been better, to be honest,” she replied. “I’m sure Jason has already told you that I was laid off.”
“I am sorry,” I said. “It’s always hard when companies choose to scale back.”
“It wasn’t a corporate decision; it was a legal one,”
“I heard,” I nodded sympathetically. “I don’t know if Jason mentioned to you the possibility of a position here.”
“He did mention it,” she replied. “And, I’m flattered and grateful but…”
“Too weird?” I offered.