Taming Molly: Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 2.5 A DuVal Cousins Quickie Read Free Page A

type. Nice physics majors, brilliant mathematicians, and pretty little bookworms. None of them made me want to take them apart to see how they work, if you get my drift. These last few weeks have woken me up to a piece of myself I didn’t realize existed. I like being social. I like being a part of a team, and I like taking charge. I like contributing and getting feedback in the form of a high five. Who knew? Being one of the assistant coaches has made me realize I need to get out more. Because if I can find a reason to enjoy being around a bunch of sweaty, grunting, musclebound jocks, I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of other stuff outside my computer lair I’m going to enjoy, too. You’re Vance Evans. You know a lot of women. Introduce me to one who is willing to sneak into a locker room and let me chase her around the equipment.”
    Vance choked out a laugh.
    “What?”
    “You sure know how to pick ’em.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean, Molly DuVal crawled all over me back before I even knew what a hickey was, much less what to do with all those soft, round, sweet-smelling parts she was pressing up against me. She will be the one taking you apart, and there is no guarantee she’ll bother putting you back together.”
    “I’ll take my chances,” Josh said. He felt the big grin splitting his face at the same time a part of his brain was blinking tilt .
    Vance scrutinized Josh as he rubbed a hand over his jaw. “The fact is I sort of had a hand in Molly moving out of town a few years back. Lately I’ve been feeling a little guilty about that, so I’m not willing to do all that much here. However, there is a high statistical probability that she will show up for her aunt’s wedding two weeks from Saturday. What I can do is get you on that guest list. I’ll point her out during the reception. There will be a band, food, and alcohol, along with a lot of flowers and a very romantic setting. Whatever the hell happens after that is all up to you.”
    Josh licked his lips. “Done.”

Chapter Three

    Molly DuVal stood tapping the engraved wedding invitation against her fingertips. She ran a thumb over the lovely loopy handwriting covering the attached sticky note.

    Molly, it would mean the world to me if you were able to attend. I’ve spoken to your father. He is eager for your attendance as well.
    Love, Aunt Gen

    Whether Aunt Genevra had spoken to her father or not, Molly had no intention of missing her aunt’s wedding. She’d been missing out on way too much over the last several years, and right now she was full-out missin’ every last one of the crazy DuVal clan—but most especially her cousins.
    As much as her father hated her use of the word banned , after she’d made the rather spectacular but unfortunate choice of breaking off her engagement to Tyler Jackson by running away for a weekend with Vance Evans, he was the one who had strongly suggested that she move her gossip-feeding shenanigans outside of Henderson.
    Far outside of Henderson.  
    She thought her father was merely being dramatic until the ultimate blow was handed down from Henderson’s upper crust. No doubt following the lead of Tyler’s grandmother, Evie Jackson, the secret society decided that Molly’s beloved cousin, Jacey DuVal, would not be invited to make her debut. Jacey, who was the girliest of all the cousins, was devastated and Jacey’s mother, Aunt Charlotte, was beyond consolation.
    And it was all Molly’s fault.
    Tearfully she’d agreed with her father, apologized to Jacey, Aunt Charlotte, and Uncle Jeb, and then snuck out of town.
    Molly had been socially banned from Henderson, but not entirely exiled. She’d gone home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, participating in all the DuVal family rituals. Her parents, sisters, and cousins, even Jacey, were always happy to see her. But leaving the house and going out partying with them and her old friends over the holidays? Not a good idea, her dad told her.
    And it