Chapter Thirty-Two

Nicholas

Molly’s apartment looked just like Molly.

Nicholas noted the bright colors on the walls, the shades of lilac complementing the light pink in her windowsills, making the standard white of the windows stand out as something spectacular in its simpleness. Sunshine filtered in everywhere, lighting various plants in mismatched pots.

In addition to the brightly colored walls, Molly had Christmas lights hanging from every corner of her apartment, and although they seemed to be turned off in the daytime, it didn’t take much for Nicholas to imagine their brilliance as they shone on in the night.

He also caught the array of framed photos all lined up on a wide stand in her living room. There were pictures of her growing up, sitting on the porch of what Nicholas assumed was the Carmichaels’ New York home, and pictures of Molly and Hannah as teenagers, hanging out in various parts of town, their mouths filled with braces and their hands formed into candid peace signs.

There was also a wh