The Choices I've Made (By the Bay #1)

Chapter Sixteen: Molly

"Hey, Jake," I said, holding the phone to my ear, feeling like a complete idiot. "I'm not sure how this boyfriend-girlfriend thing works between us now, but I was just wondering what you were doing for lunch today since I know the clinic closed early, and I haven't heard from you, which is fine," I quickly added, "I'm not trying to be stalkerish or clingy. Just hungry, I swear. Okay. Bye. Oh, and I love you."

I gave myself a giant eye roll, ending the call and shoving the phone in my back pocket.

"Way to go, Mols," I said out loud. "That was smooth. He won't think you're crazy at all."

Letting out a giant sigh, I roamed around the empty inn, feeling an odd sense of boredom. It wasn't something I was used to, usually excelling in the art of keeping myself busy from dusk till dawn. But knowing Jake had gotten out of work early today, I'd rushed around the house, taking advantage of my guests early morning activities around town. I'd cleaned their rooms with gusto and finished all my tasks before eleven, hoping to make use of my boyfriend's open afternoon schedule.

But, now, it was well past one o'clock, my stomach was growling, and I was short one handsome doctor.

Boyfriend.

I'd said it this morning, and he hadn't flinched. He was my boyfriend, right? I mean, when you started talking about moving halfway across the country for someone, it was well past casual dating. It wasn't like Jake and I could ever be called casual anyhow. We'd been voted Most Likely to Get Married by our high school class, for God's sake.

And was it too early to say I love you out loud? I mean, we did. We always had. But to actually say it was different somehow.

Everything was just moving so fast. Too fast? I wasn't sure.

Realizing I was walking circles in the living room, I decided to go ahead and eat. Waiting for a man was pathetic, right? And I had a kitchen full of amazing leftovers calling my name.

Heading into the kitchen, I was interrupted by the phone in my pocket.

Smiling, I reached behind me and grabbed it, expecting to find my missing doctor.

Instead, I saw a local number I didn't recognize. Being a business owner, I didn't have the luxury to screen calls, so I answered on the second ring.

"Hello. By the Bay Inn," I greeted cheerfully.

"Molly? This is Henry Miller."

"Oh, hey, Henry," I replied, instantly recognizing the elderly restaurant owner's voice.

I knew most of the local restaurateurs well, having made numerous reservations for my guests over the years—before and after I had taken over the inn. Henry though, I had a special place in my heart for him, as he was the sweet man who always stole my vegetables from Terri in a feeble attempt to steal her heart.

"What's up?" I asked.

"It's Terri," he said, immediately grabbing my attention. "I stopped by her place just now to grab a few things, and she looked like hell in a handbasket. Said she visited Jake earlier this week and was waiting for lab results. Do you know where I can find him? I think she needs to be seen right away."

"Did you try the clinic?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "Gave the emergency number on the answering machine a try, too. But it just went to his voice mail. Thought I'd try you next, seeing as you two are an item again."

Sometimes, I forgot how quickly word got around this place.

"Um, I don't actually know where he is, but I'll see if I can track him down. How bad is she?" I asked, now back to my circular pattern in the living room.