More Than Memories by Kristen James Read Free Book Online

too
busy. “Why does Trent know so much about me?”
    They paused as their server set their plates down.
Alicia said, “He wants you to remember on your own.”
    “So there was something there at some point?”
    “I can’t lie to you, but I think he’s right.”
Alicia picked up her fork, and Molly thought she’d finished speaking, but she
continu ed talking betw een bites. “I guess you
could ask him, but then what? You can’t pick up where you left off without
remembering, and you might feel like you have to.”
    Molly started on her own food, thinking for a
minute. “So it wasn’t over between us when I left?”
    A sound gurgled out of Alicia’s throat as if she’d
almost choked. “Over? You and Trent? You were the happiest couple I’ve ever
seen.”
    So she knew without a doubt she’d had a
relationship with Trent. And, without warning, she abandoned him one day. It
must have broken his heart. Why wasn’t he mad at her now that she was here? Or
why didn’t he grab her in a big hug when he found her waiting in the police
station? Alicia must have felt her change of mood and let her be … about Tren t at least.
    “So what are your plans? Everyone thinks you’re
back—” Alicia broke off, fork paused, not wanting to add the “but.”
    Without knowing why she left Ridge City, Molly couldn’t
make a concrete decision on whether to stay or not, but she didn’t want to tell
anyone that. “I didn’t know what to expect, so I was just planning a trip. I
still have the house in California to deal with.” Her voice faded as her eyes
went to look out the window. “Now I don’t know what I’ll do.” In her mind, she
thought about how she didn’t have a history tying her to any one place. Her
parents were gone. California had her house, and one friend. And a pesky
neighbor that thought they were a match made in heaven.
    As if reading her mind, Alicia asked, “What’s in
Redding to keep you there? From what you’ve said, you didn’t really put down
roots. Why not stay here?”
    Molly met her friend’s eyes, and answered
honestly, “I’ve been thinking about it.” This brought on a new thought and she
suddenly asked, “Where did I live before?”
    “With your parents, on Elk Street. I can take you
there.”
    Maybe that would bring back something. She pushed
the last of her food around her plate before nervously asking Alicia, “I get
the feeling David isn’t actually glad that I’m back.”
    Alicia stopped chewing, thought for a minute, and
swallowed to say, “He was jealous of you. Of how much I talked about you, I
should say. He felt like he couldn’t compete. Well, at first he completely understood, but after we married he
wanted me to move on. I guess he thought getting married would fix it, heal me
somehow. I told him he’s the love of my life. That’s different than a best
friend, and you were gone anyway.”
    “So what about now that I’m here?”
    “I don’t know why he’s worried.” She pushed her
plate away and glanced at the bill, buying time. “He’ll come around.”
    “We can be honest, right? I need that.” Molly knew
coming to Ridge City was the start of finding the truth, and she didn’t want any
kind of dishonesty.
    Exhaling, Alicia took a drink of water before
saying, “He doesn’t think you should be able to jump right back in. But he
doesn’t understand, we were all friends, all the way through schoo l, beyond.”
    Molly gathered her things and thought David didn’t
want her pushing into his life, taking his wife’s tim e,
and in a way, replacing him. The idea was silly, and she hoped he wouldn’t hold
onto it.
    Outside she stopped abruptly, causing Alicia to
stop and look at her.
    “I’m sorry I left,” Molly started. “I don’t know
why yet, but I’m sorry it caused so much pain.” Her friend stepped close and
wrapped her arms around her, unable to speak. Molly didn’t know what else to
add with words, so she let the moment