Her treat? How could I argue with such a kind offer?
“I guess I could do brunch,” I giggled.
“I’ve got just the place in mind.”
Molly led me a few blocks down the road to one of the fanciest little bistros that I had ever seen. There was a cute little chalkboard leaning against the ironwork fence that surrounded the restaurant’s perimeter. I only needed to take a quick glimpse at the day’s specials to know that this place was well out of range for someone with my budget.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “You really don’t have to buy me–”
“I like to spoil my friends,” she assured me. She basically had to manhandle me to usher me toward the waiting hostess inside.
The hostess was a petite little thing, probably no older than twenty-one. She was decked out in a pink and red polka dot dress with a string of pearls around her neck and a headband in her hair that was adorned with matching pink and red hearts. She was practically a walking reminder that Valentine’s Day was around the corner, a breathing advertisement for the bistro’s drink specials geared towards happy couples. And in my case, a very depressed and busy single. The hostess grabbed two menus from behind her little podium and guided us to our seats next to the window.
“Can I get you two started with something to drink?” the hostess asked politely.
“Two mimosas, please,” ordered Molly.
With a curt little nod, the hostess left to retrieve our drinks. I opened the menu sitting before me on the table, doing my best to remain calm despite the staggering meal prices.
Twenty-five dollars for steak and eggs? They better be damn good.
“I told you,” started Molly, like she had been reading my mind, “it’s my treat.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled sheepishly.
“I get it, though. Moving’s a pain in the ass.”
“It really is,” I agreed with a nervous laugh.
“Your first day is tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“You excited?”
“Heck yeah,” I giggled. “A little nervous, but I’ve worked too hard to let that get in the way.”
Molly chuckled, a fond look in her eye. “You already look like you need a vacation.”
I ran the pad of my thumb along the edge of the menu, distracted. “I wish I could afford to take a vacation. I have to pay off my student debts before I can even think about–” I stopped myself mid-sentence, suddenly bashful. “Sorry. You probably don’t want to hear a sob story first thing in the morning.”
Molly reached over the table’s surface and patted me encouragingly on the back of my hand. “Tell you what. Next time I go on a trip, I’ll bring you with me. I’d invite you to come with me tonight, but you’ve got a new job and all that.”
I frowned, confused. “Where are you going?”
“India,” she answered with a grin. “For my new video series.”
My jaw dropped in amazement, eyebrows shooting up in awe. “You serious? That’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit another country. How long are you going to be away?”
“Less than a month.” Molly winked at me, an amused glint in her eye. “I’ll bring back a souvenir for you and that crazy roommate of yours.”
I chuckled. “As much as I’d appreciate that, I don’t think Jenna would like it.”
“Why not?”
I chewed the inside of my lip. “She’s got a very specific sense of style. I put a potted plant on the dining table when I first moved in and she freaked out at me like I’d destroyed the place.”
Molly snorted, rolling her eyes. “This chick’s clearly crazy. Why don’t you just move out?”
“Believe me, if I could afford to, I would. But I need to save every penny I can.”
The hostess returned with our mimosas. The bright yellow-orange cocktail was presented elegantly in tall crystal champagne flutes, perfectly carved orange wheels garnishing the rims.
“Your server’s going to be with you shortly,” she explained before returning to the front podium.
Molly clicked her tongue, suddenly deep in thought. “You know,” she muttered quietly, “my little brother has a spare room. I could ask him to give you a good deal on rent, if you want.”
I shook my head, ever-aware of how warm my cheeks were starting to feel. “That’s alright. Living with Jenna’s not that bad.”
And I really don’t want any other distractions in my life, I thought to myself. I need to focus on work. Having a man around would only complicate things.
Molly shrugged a shoulder. “If you say so.”
We enjoyed a wonderful brunch together. Despite the pang of guilt that I felt for letting Molly pay, the steak and eggs really were delicious. It had been such a long time since I had eaten anything that delicious. The scrambled eggs were wonderfully fluffy, the steak was flawlessly seasoned, and the chilled mimosa was the perfect combination of fruity and bubbly to wash everything down. When we were all finished, I hugged Molly goodbye.