World renowned writer, Molly Tulip, moves up to Northern Montana, hoping to escape the busy city life and a cheating ex. After years of stress and toxicity from her previous relationship, Molly needs to focus on healing herself through her writing...
"So it's a date date? Like for real this time?" Brigette has been hounding me all morning for details about yesterday.
"Yes, it's a date date." I say into the phone as I open the door to my little Subaru Impreza. My baby showed up around the same time that Carver left for his shoot two weeks ago and I'm elated that I no longer have to rely on strangers for rides. "He's taking me out tonight and once again is saying it's going to be a surprise. Ugh, there are so many unknown factors. Plus, how is a girl supposed to dress for surprise? I get lake attire or fancy dinner attire, but surprise attire? What does that even entail?"
I climb into my car and it automatically pops Brigette onto the speaker. "Layers?" She says hesitantly and I can picture her wrinkling her nose in confusion.
"Fair enough. I have to go," I say as I pull out of my driveway. "I'm meeting Clara for lunch, so I guess I'll have to see what she says about my dinner outfit. Bye!" I hover my finger over the end call button.
"I want details after the date!" She screams through my car's speakers as I laugh and hang up. I haven't seen Brigette this excited about men since my ex...scratch that, she was never excited about my ex. Lesson learned: if your BFF doesn't approve of your man, then you need a new man.
Clara has me meeting her at an adorable little cafe just outside of downtown. The inside is full of plants cascading down from the ceiling and each table is decorated with candles encased in mini succulent displays. There is a patio attached to the cafe with fairy lights hanging across the lattice overhang, creating a very romantic and whimsical feeling. The cafe is only a couple hundred feet from the waterfront and overlooks the lake all year round.
"Okay, where did you find this little oasis?" I ask as I sit down across from Clara. She's picked a perfect spot on the patio right next to an outdoor heater. It's only the beginning of October and it's already getting cold enough that it might start snowing any day now.
"When you live in a place for most of your life, you tend to find the locals only places." She hands me the menu she was looking at, "I ordered us the lettuce wraps to start off with, they're to die for!"
"I'll take your word on it, Miss Locals Only." I look at the menu, avoiding the obvious topic that Clara is so desperately wanting to hear about.
"So you two are a thing now?" She blurts out after a minute of silence. I look at her with fake confusion, I know she's talking about Carver and me, but I just want to give her a hard time for being a nosey younger sister. "You know exactly what I'm talking about! Carver called me about your little coffee/tea powwow. He was thrilled that you were so understanding about why he was gone longer than anticipated and still wanted to give the ol' relationship thing a try. My brother literally won't shut up about you, you that? You'd think I'd win the "who can talk more about Molly Tulip" competition since I'm always fan-girling about your books, but no, he's got this massive crush on you that's the only topic of conversation we have now-a-days." She takes a deep breath and leans back into her chair with a huff.
"He won't stop talking about me?" I ask, my curiosity peaking as I put down the menu and stare across the table, wide-eyed.
"Obviously! He's freaking crazy about you Molly. Ever since you two ran into each other at the party..."
"He ran into me actually." I interject thinking about Carver knocking me off my feet and sending us both tumbling down the steps of his sister's house. It seems like ages since the party.
"Semantics," Clara waves her hands in slight frustration. "The fact of the matter is, he's always got you on his mind. The mention of your name causes him to perk up a little bit. He hasn't stopped talking about the date he has planned with you and he's trying to make sure that everything is perfect."
"So, about the date?" I say a little too suspiciously and Clara almost exploded with rage.
"You better not be canceling on my big brother, Molly! He's finally got his hopes up about someone and you come in and tear up his little heart. If you ghosted him I don't think he'd ever be happy again, plus I wouldn't want to talk to you after that."
"Woah woah woah." I raise my hands up in self defense. "All I was going to ask was if you know what outfit I should wear?" I see the rage in her face dissipate and it's immediately replaced with the bright red cheeks of embarrassment. "It's just that he keeps telling me that the date is a surprise and I need to plan with no information. I don't know if it'll be indoors or outdoors, and now that it's getting close to freezing temperatures at night I need to make sure I dress appropriately."
"Girl, that's your biggest concern at the moment? You just gotta learn to let go and go with the flow." She says a matter-of-factly and I shoot her an unamused look.
"Just like you're going with the flow about your brother and me? I think I'm not the only one at this table jumping to conclusions and thinking of the worst case scenarios in life." I raise my eyebrow, knowing I'm right.
"Touche," Clara sighs. "We both need to release the reins a little bit." After a moment of thinking Clara continues, "I think a longer dress and a jacket would be perfect, maybe bring a beanie just in case?"
"Thank you." I practically fall out of my chair with relief. The OCD planner inside me is finally satisfied enough that I don't need to fret about the date.
"You know why he likes surprises, right?" She adds and I shake my head no. "Kaytlin used to plan everything; his birthday, Christmas, New Years, etcetera. She'd plan who they saw, where they ate, and what to wear. Then, she'd tell him all the details so it would never be spontaneous, and if anything went array or off her perfect little plan she'd practically have an aneurysm. He really thrives of spontaneity and he has this need for freedom and flexibility in his life. I mean the man made a life out of photography and he did so well because he'd jump at every opportunity, even if it meant flying across the world at the drop of a hat. He's just testing you to see if you can handle his crazy, flighty ways."
The lettuce wraps arrive at the hand of our waitress. Once we turn her away from ordering more food (I haven't had a chance to really look at the menu) Clara adds one last point.
"This is the most I've ever seen my brother plan anything. He really does care a lot for you." She starts digging into the lettuce wrap in front of her and starts talking about some party that she and Travis are attending this upcoming weekend. I look down at the menu and nod when socially necessary as I think about all the information that Clara has just shared with me. The only thing that I feel satisfied with is knowing that Carver is just as excited and nervous about tonight as I am and the fact that I now know what I'll be wearing.
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