Deadly Intersections Read Online Free

the bench, her fingers millimeters from Ari’s creamy flesh. Ari didn’t seem to notice. Nothing about her mannerisms was suggestive or flirtatious. Yet the woman gushed with emotion, laughing heartily at everything she said, her voice drifting across the courtyard and slapping Molly in the face. The box of jealousy that lived next to her heart exploded, and she took two steps out of line. Suddenly her feet stopped, and she almost fell over herself. Ari wouldn’t approve—she would be appalled and embarrassed if Molly confronted the woman and shoved her into the lake. It would not be a pleasant way to end their romantic afternoon. She needed to let it go.
    Molly turned back to the line, estimating that it would be another five minutes before she returned to the bench with their lattes. By then Ari could have left her, moved in with the blonde and adopted one of the children splashing in the fountain. She closed her eyes and refused to watch the woman’s flirtations, determined to let the jealousy ooze away, steeling her fears, reminding herself that Ari’s commitment was unwavering and undeniable. The mantra was one she recited often. It disguised the most distasteful aspect of her personality. At least she hoped her raging jealousy wasn’t obvious to Ari. She’d never said anything about it, and Molly knew she was an expert at hiding emotions. Yet dealing with her hot-bloodedness cost her dearly, always draining her of energy and leaving her craving a drink.
    She paid for the lattes and returned to the bench. The blonde was still seated next to Ari, her skating forgotten. Ari was explaining property values in Tempe while the woman feigned extraordinary interest. Molly smiled broadly as the blonde’s face crumbled when she settled next to Ari, handed her the latte and wrapped a possessive arm around her woman. The rollerblader recognized her deep cleavage and short shorts were being wasted on Ari, who obliviously continued to ramble on about mortgage rates. When she unconsciously snuggled up against Molly, the blonde leaned forward, attempting an exit.
    “Hey, it’s been nice talking to you,” she said, interrupting her mid-sentence, “but I’ve got to cruise. See you around, Ari.” 
    And without waiting for a reply the woman skated toward Mill Avenue. Ari wiped the puzzled expression from her face and took a sip of the coffee. “Weird,” was her only comment.
    “Who was that?” Molly asked innocently.
    “Deandra, or something like that,” she replied absently, her eyes returning to the children.
    Molly squeezed her shoulder and they drank their lattes in silence, basking in the mild winter weather, envying the lives of the children who had no cares or worries. Ari laughed as one child turned the water cannon on her older brother, spraying him in the chest, screaming with delight. The older boy yelled at his sister and chased her around the park. When an airplane roared overhead, preparing to land at the airport that sat between Phoenix and Tempe, the children froze and looked up. A few pointed and all were mesmerized.
    “What time are you picking up your dad?” Molly asked, the sight of the airplane reminding her of Ari’s afternoon plans.
    Ari sighed. “About three. We’ll probably go have a late lunch before I drop him off at Sol’s.”
    “Do you want me to come with you?”
    It was a question Molly had wanted to ask all week but had avoided because she knew the answer—no. As much as she wanted to meet Big Jack Adams and as much as she knew it would help her deal with the growing commitment she felt toward Ari, she knew Ari had too much history with her father—bad history—to bring a girlfriend into the picture. He’d disowned her years ago when he learned she was gay, she’d tried to commit suicide, his wife had divorced him before her death, and it had taken four years for this reunion to occur.
    She offered a withered look and Molly kissed her forehead. “I understand. It’s okay.”