Digging out my dark teal silk tie, I tied it in a perfect double Windsor knot, then left the house.
Molly was already standing in front of her apartment building when I pulled up, and for a second, she didn’t realize it was me. Hurrying out of the car, I rushed to take her arm.
“Hi,” she said, grinning ear to ear. “I was looking for your truck.”
“These are the weekend wheels,” I said, opening the glossy black door of my sports car for her.
As she turned toward me, she began to laugh. “You wore a tie to match my dress?”
“Of course. If we’re supposed to be a couple, we would’ve coordinated such a thing, right?”
I took the opportunity to stare at her from head to toe, taking in her sexy but demure wrap dress that showed off her ample breasts to perfection. Her delicate silver necklace and few bangles made her look dressy but elegant, and her heels were low enough that she wouldn’t be in pain after a few hours.
Molly’s eyes were so pretty that I couldn’t tear myself away. “You look incredible,” I said softly, taking her hand and bringing it to my lips.
“Thank you,” she whispered. She was ogling me as well. “That suit makes you look even taller.” Then she flashed me that saucy smile. “Or maybe you were a good boy who did his exercises.”
Nodding and chuckling, I tucked her into the car then walked around to the other side. As soon as I got in, Molly raised her eyebrow to me. “Where is your cane?”
“Relax,” I said, smoothly driving away and heading uptown. “It’s in the back seat. The last time I saw the doctor, he said it was okay to walk around without it a bit now and then.”
“But you’ll be using it tonight, right?” she said quickly. “James, I can’t let you hurt yourself on my account.”
“I knew you were going to say that,” I said, flashing her a sideways glance. “I did all of my exercises this morning, then rested my leg all day. I’ll be fine on my own for a few hours, then if I get tired, I’ll come out and get it. Okay?”
“Or you’ll send me out to your car to get it for you,” she said sternly. “I’m serious. I really appreciate you coming out with me tonight, but if you end up in pain, I won’t forgive myself.”
My right hand darted out to pick hers up from her thigh, giving her it a squeeze. “I will listen to my body, and not get hurt. All right?”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“Now, this isn’t a very long drive, so we’re going to have to cram as if it’s a final exam. Who is it that you most need to impress, and tell me what they want to hear.”
Her light laughter made something deep within me start to relax. “Well, my sisters and my mom will mostly be fussing with wedding things.”
“Do you have any specific responsibilities today?” I asked.
“No, I got off easy. I did my time helping Janice with wedding dress shopping, and making all of the centerpieces two weeks ago. So today I just have to smile and be friendly.”
“Check. Will your father be there?”
“Yes, but he’s a pretty quiet guy. He’ll probably be hiding in the corner with my uncles. Family functions are really the only time they drink.” She looked at me sharply. “They don’t get drunk or anything, they just bring a bottle or two of really good Scotch and then nerd out about it for hours.”
I nodded. “Scotch men. Got it. What else?”
“There are a bunch of aunts and cousins who will be asking me about work, and gushing about my sisters, so that should be easy.”
“Okay. And who is the pushy aunt?”
I looked over to see Molly staring up at the ceiling of the car. “Aunt Madison.”
“She’s the one who thinks every woman should marry a rich guy to make herself worthy?”
“Yes.” Molly’s hands fiddled with the strap of her little purse. “I think years ago one of her sisters married a loser who embarrassed the family or something . It happened before I was even born , so I’ve never really heard the full story.”
“What does Madison do for a living?”
Again, that sparkling little laugh. “She is the wife of my Uncle Harold. He’s loaded, so she pretends to keep busy by going to charity luncheons now and then, when she’s not redecorating the next room of their huge house.”