Josh asked eagerly, after choosing a root-beer-flavored lollipop. She hid a smile, figuring he was planning to try every single flavor in the jar before starting over with grape.
“Sure thing, champ,” Dan said with a gentle smile. Was it her imagination or was he already getting closer to his son? “We have plenty of time to get there before the show starts, no problem.”
“Yay,” Josh said, using his arms to propel his wheelchair forward as they made their way back out to the car. “I can’t wait.”
Dan sent Molly a wry smile over Josh’s head. He’d already explained that Josh wanted to see the latest Disney film, and she honestly didn’t mind. The last cartoon film she’d seen had been one that she’d watched with James’s two sons.
And if she remembered correctly, James had begged off, claiming he had work to do. Now she wondered if he’d been seeing that other woman even then.
No reason to torture herself over that now. Her friend Kara had told her she was much better off without James, and while that had been difficult to believe at first, it was easier now. Today was about Josh, not her. She was determined to enjoy herself, while protecting her heart.
Getting to the movie theater didn’t take long and once Dan had spent a small fortune on popcorn and soft drinks, they found a place in the back where Josh could sit in his wheelchair at the end of an aisle.
“Sit next to me, Molly. Sit next to me!”
She did as Josh asked, hoping Dan wouldn’t mind. He didn’t say anything, simply took the seat to her right, the action causing their shoulders to brush lightly. She settled back in her seat, telling herself to focus on the ultra-wide screen.
Flanked on either side by the Morris men made it difficult for her to concentrate on the movie. As the one in the middle she was the one stuck holding the bucket of popcorn. She grew acutely aware of Dan leaning over to help himself, especially when his arm stayed pressed against hers. Warmth radiated from his skin, sending shivers of awareness rippling along her arm.
But she didn’t move away, despite knowing she should.
The movie was a cute story and she soon found herself giggling right along with Josh. And when she heard Dan laughing softly, she was secretly thrilled he’d unbent enough to enjoy the show.
“That was fun. Thanks for bringing me along,” she said after the movie ended.
“I’ll drive you home,” Dan offered quickly. “Unless Josh and I could convince you to stay for dinner?”
“I couldn’t eat a thing after all that popcorn,” she protested. “Besides, I really need to get home.”
“I understand,” he murmured, although she caught a glimpse of disappointment shadowing his gaze.
Her resolve almost wavered. Almost. But she’d already let this go on long enough. What was she thinking, spending time with Dan and Josh as if they were more than friends? The last thing she needed was to make the same mistake with Dan and Josh as she had with James.
The ride to her apartment didn’t take long. When Dan pulled up, he jumped out before she could stop him, coming over to open her door for her.
“Bye, Josh, see you tomorrow,” she said as she climbed out of the car. When Dan drew her toward him so he could close the door, she had the insane thought he was going to haul her into his arms and kiss her, but then he whispered in her ear, “I’ll call you later to finalize the details about Josh’s party.”
She flushed and ducked her head, hoping he wouldn’t notice her embarrassment. “Okay, sounds good.” With a final wave to Josh she turned and hurried inside.
Feeling Dan’s gaze boring into her back with every step.
Dan forced himself to get back into the car with Josh, when every cell in his body wanted to follow Molly. He was getting tied up in knots over the woman, and he knew it. Yet knowing it and stopping himself from thinking about her were two entirely different things.
Molly had helped him mend his relationship with Josh, but what he was feeling for her went beyond gratitude. He knew he needed to rein in his feelings, and fast.
But despite his firm pep talk, when he and Josh returned home he couldn’t help noticing that the spacious three-bedroom apartment seemed empty now that Molly was gone. Which was ridiculous. How was it possible that his home seemed complete only when Molly was here? Nothing made any sense anymore.
He turned on some music, hoping to fill the emptiness. He busied himself making arrangements for Josh’s birthday party and the wheelchair football game. There wasn’t much he could do on a Sunday night, but he vowed to contact Josh’s teacher first thing in the morning. The party would take place in two weeks on Saturday afternoon.
So in the interim he made plans and lists, realizing that planning a party was a lot of work. And tried not to count the hours until Josh’s therapy session at nine o’clock next morning.
The following morning, Dan called Josh’s teacher first thing, and she was more than happy to help him give him a list of the student’s names. She also offered to pass out the invitations in class, which meant he needed to get them completed as soon as possible.
He and Josh arrived for therapy in their respective wheelchairs with scarcely a minute to spare. As usual, Molly came out to greet them. She smiled warmly at Josh, but he sensed she was avoiding eye contact with him. He scowled as he wheeled into the gym behind them, wondering if she was uncomfortable around him now, after they’d spent the weekend together. If so, he couldn’t understand why. He hadn’t acted inappropriately at any time, although he couldn’t say the same for his thoughts.
In his thoughts, he’d been extremely inappropriate. Down and dirty inappropriate.
“We’re going to play a new game today. Are you ready?” Molly asked.
“Yeah!” Josh agreed enthusiastically.
“Absolutely,” Dan responded, hating to admit that he was growing used to her games.
The game consisted of hitting the ball with their feet, which of course was much easier for him than it was for Josh. But he had to give his son credit, as he seemed determined to kick the ball up in the air with his toes.
He was shocked and stunned when Molly deemed it time for the massage followed by the ultrasound treatments. How had the hour gone by that fast?
When she’d finished with Josh’s ultrasound, Dan quickly followed her out of the room, leaving Josh to enjoy his lime-flavored lollipop. “Josh’s teacher has emailed me the names of the kids in his class, so I’m going to work on the invitations tonight.”
“That’s great!” For what seemed to be the first time that morning, she looked him directly in the eye and smiled. “Josh is going to be so surprised.”
Her enthusiasm was contagious. “Here’s what I have planned so far,” he said. “We’ll meet at the park first for the wheelchair football game, and then afterward we’ll eat pizza, punch, cake and ice cream either at the park if it’s nice or at my place if it’s not.”
“That sounds perfect,” she agreed. “Don’t forget prizes.”
“Prizes?” He stared, perplexed. “I wasn’t thinking of playing any other games.”
“You need to reconsider that plan. What about a scavenger hunt?”
“A scavenger hunt?” Hell, hosting a party was more complicated than he’d realized. “I don’t think I want the kids going around to the other apartments, asking for things.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d participated in a scavenger hunt.
“We could have a scavenger hunt at the park, after the football game.” Her green eyes brightened with excitement. “I’ll hide a bunch of stuff at wheelchair height or lower, and they can try to find the items I’ve hidden. Whatever they find are their prizes. Although you’ll