Tangled Up in Daydreams by Rebecca Bloom Page B

round, she swallowed, and tried to forget.
    Molly finished and paid the check. Rose came over with a large cup of coffee to go. A small bag with grease stains was clutched in her other hand.
    â€œHere.” Rose handed everything to Molly. “To keep your energy up while you drive.”
    â€œThanks. What do I owe you for them?” Looking in the bag and peering at a few doughnuts.
    â€œOn the house. Just make sure you get to where you are going in one piece.” Smiling at Molly.
    â€œThat’s really nice of you. Good night.” Molly pushed open the door with her hip.
    â€œÂ â€™Bye.” Rose waved.
    Molly slowly walked to her car, the heaviness of the food weighing on her step. After grabbing a sweater from the trunk, she settled behind the wheel and readied herself for the long haul ahead of her. Already feeling car-neck creep upon her, she wondered if she would be able to make it all the way home without anymore unnecessary pit stops. She also wondered if she was doing the right thing. All that intense girl power she raged earlier was beginning to wear off, and her anger was sinking into something that was feeling like forgiveness. Molly redialed her messages and played them again. Liam and marriage and hating him and leaving him and loving him all twisted together into a sickening stew. Here was the queen of solid decision making, sucking at sticking to her guns.
    Molly should have had waffles; they would have more represented her mood. It wasn’t like her to be so wishy-washy. Whether it was her major in college, American history, or her senior prom dress, señorita red with a tulle underskirt, she always could directly channel her gut instinct. Even if the choices were trying and both potential options lent themselves to tears and trauma, Molly was not a waffler, a shifter, a should-she-do-this-or-thater. She knew it was something that had attracted Liam to her, and Jaycee also loved that in her. It was why she trusted Molly with everything, from the minute they met at a backyard barbeque shortly after Molly moved to LA, and made sure Molly was her nearest and dearest. About a year after they met, Jay sealed their friendship with a really lovely sentimental exchange, which happened to occur in a dingy bathroom with beige tiles and a wobbly toilet seat.
    â€œOkay, I have something to tell you.” Jaycee, pulling her into the tiny bathroom of Mako’s, their favorite karaoke bar.
    â€œThat sounds a little scary.” Molly, looking at her best friend. “Are you feeling okay?”
    â€œYeah, I just need to share this big epiphany with you. Come on.” Dragging Molly behind her.
    The two of them smushed into the small stall, and Molly perched as best she could on the khaki-colored toilet seat, her red leather pants squeaking as she moved.
    â€œSpill it, baby.” Retying the lace on her Adidas sneaker. “My pants refuse to let me hold this position for too long.”
    â€œI just wanted to tell you how much I value our friendship and that I thank you for everything you do for me all the time.”
    â€œWhat?” Looking up at her friend.
    â€œI just want to thank you.”
    â€œHow many cocktails have you had? You’re not usually so mushy.” Staring at her. “I feel like we are in that Natalie Merchant song.”
    â€œOne beer, and Molly, stop joking. I just know that I would not be who I am today without you. You’ve really been an amazing example, and I just felt like telling you.”
    â€œMe? Really?” Starting to blush. “Okay, what did you do?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWhat did you do that I am going to be really pissed at you for because all this is a little odd.”
    â€œCan’t you just take a compliment for fuck’s sake?!” Getting riled. “I just felt like being nice.”
    â€œOkay, no need for expletives.” Looking at Jaycee. “Wow. I don’t know what to