The Very Thought of You by Carolann Camillo Read Free Book Online Page A

mentioned earlier. Everyone held plates of food.
    â€œThis is Molly,” Mrs. Mancini announced. “She came with Nicky.”
    Nicky . A name left over from childhood, no doubt. In spite of the warm greeting, she wondered if Mrs. Mancini suffered from separation issues. Maybe that was why he was still single. She decided he was single — otherwise, a wife would have met them at the door or been glued to him like an insect strip in the front seat of the car.
    And she wasn’t really with Nick, in the sense his mother seemed to have assumed, as much as he just dragged her along.
    â€œSo, Molly, do you live in the city?” Mrs. Mancini released Molly’s hand and selected a white china plate. At least a quarter inch of gold circled the rim. She began to place food on it.
    â€œYes. I live on Haight Street, about a block and a half from Golden Gate Park.”
    â€œHaight Street. You don’t remind me of a hippie.” This was said in a tone completely devoid of censure. Although if this woman, impeccably dressed in aqua silk, ever saw Molly’s Aunt Vi, whose hair hung in braids as if she channeled the old Willie Nelson, the tone might have changed considerably.
    â€œNo, I missed the hippie era.” Though, Molly had the privilege to relive it most Friday nights when she went downstairs for the poker game.
    Mrs. Mancini handed Molly the plate now heaped with food. “How long have you and Nicky known each other?”
    Molly was about to tell her she and her son had met for the first time about forty-eight hours before when a woman who seemed about Nick’s age and who resembled Mrs. Mancini right down to the dark hair and eyes and flawless complexion approached.
    â€œMom. Aunt Rita and Uncle Ed are ready to leave for the airport. They’re looking for you.”
    â€œMust they go so soon?” Mrs. Mancini gave a wistful sigh. “Well, we don’t want them to miss their flight.” She patted Molly’s arm. “You’ll excuse me, dear. I’ll leave you with Barbara for a few minutes.”
    â€œOh, sure.” Molly eyed the slice of quiche that nestled against two plump prawns and what resembled a crab meat stuffed mushroom. The seafood aroma along with that of egg and bacon made her almost swoon in anticipation. However, this was no time to shovel food into her mouth, not with introductions imminent.
    Mrs. Mancini left the room. The young woman smiled at Molly. “Hello, I’m Nick’s sister.”
    â€œHi, I’m Molly.” It wasn’t possible to offer a hand, not when hers held a plate and fork.
    â€œYou’re with Nick.”
    She gave a quick shake of her head. “Well, actually, I’m … ah … not really with Nick.”
    â€œOh, I thought you came in together.”
    Molly hated it when, at least on limited occasions, she came across like a dork. She should have just said yes and let everyone draw their own conclusions. “We did … ah … come in together.” She sneaked a forkful of quiche into her mouth.
    â€œYou look familiar.” Barbara wrinkled her brow. “Were you at the wedding last night?”
    Molly swallowed the quiche, the best she’d ever tasted. “The wedding? No.”
    â€œI didn’t think so. My mother tried to persuade Nick to invite one of his old girlfriends, but when she rags on him like that, he runs the other way.”
    â€œA natural reflex.” Molly nibbled on the vegetable frittata and thought about all the guys Dominique tried to push on her. Also, the bit about girlfriends confirmed it — he was single. Not that it mattered.
    â€œSo, how do you know Nick?”
    Why couldn’t they have met over a puddle? It would have been so much easier to explain.
    â€œWe … ah … met near where his condos are being built.” Or not. “I supervise a clinic on the same street.”
    â€œThat’s it.” Barbara snapped her