Sherlock closed the door firmly behind John. His hand rested a moment on the knob before he turned around. With both hands in his jacket pockets he moved over to the kitchen table. Molly grasped one of the chair backs with both hands.
"It's fortuitous Lestrade's wife left behind some of her clothing. This shade of blue compliments your skin tone," he said softly.
"Better than yellow right? I don't know what I was thinking at the wedding. Tom said he liked it," Molly pattered nervously.
"Molly, would you like to-"
"Solve cases with you? I thought we'd settled all that," she said.
She sat down at the table and sorted through the discarded cards.
"Have dinner with me?" Sherlock finished.
Molly's hands paused and she didn't look up as she spoke.
"For a case?" she asked.
"Nope."
"Mary and John need doubles partners?" she laughed.
"No, Mary and John aren't speaking. That's hardly the point. Molly Hooper, would you like to have dinner. With me. Somewhere nice."
Molly bit her lip as she shoved the game box into Sherlock's hands.
"No," she replied.
Sherlock blinked rapidly and opened his mouth. Nothing came out. He closed it again.
"I used to think how lovely it would be to get noticed by you. And then it was. I was your friend. But you made me keep this big secret when you wouldn't even tell John. It was a burden Sherlock. And then you came back like I knew you would and it was the same old games. You flirted with me when you wanted something and like an idiot I fell for it."
"Why did you break off your engagement? I know he didn't leave you. You left him." Sherlock said.
"That's none of your business. We're friends now. Nothing more. Good night."
Molly picked up her coat. It did little to cover the long legs that grew out of her dress like a stem on a flower.
"Good night Molly Hooper," he said. He looked around the empty room and realized it seemed darker without her gentle warmth to fill it. He shut the door behind him when he left, walking most of the long way back to Baker Street in thought.