I have an important meeting upstate today. After Molly texted me, I checked out the tabloids. It’s not right, what they’re doing to me and Clarissa. Even though what she’s doing is wrong, she doesn’t deserve to have her name dragged through the mud like this.

Let what she did be between me, her, and whoever else she’s with.

Don’t get me wrong. I love being in the spotlight sometimes. The media’s been good to me. They’ve propelled my reputation. They’re the ones I have to thank for women throwing themselves at me and whispering to me about my big dick before I even have to.

That’s been the beauty of this whole wild ride. When you’re just some guy, you have to work to get women. When you’re a guy like me, the women work for you.

That’s why Molly’s different, and it’s why I like her. And it’s just one small part of why I love her.

The meeting’s at my mom’s house. I’ve called her to broker a meeting between myself and an important mover in the real estate scene right now.

“Rich!” I swing the rickety door to my mom’s place open and he gets up from the table with his hot tea.

“Hello, Drew. It’s so very good to see you again.”

Mom wipes her hands on her apron as she comes into the foyer through the kitchen.

“I’m just pouring tea. How’s my favorite son?”

“I promise I won’t tell Eric you said that,” I say, embracing my mom in a tender hug.

“Wait, he isn’t here?” Rich smiles and pats me on the back.

“Very nice. I see how it is.”

The three of us make our way to the kitchen table. It stings a little bit to know that the house will be sold soon, but I don’t have time to reminisce today. I’m here on business.

“So, how’ve you liked being a super, Drew?”

He has no idea what his question means. He probably assumes I’ve been changing light bulbs for little old ladies, maybe saving a cat from a tree.

“Let’s just say it’s reminded me of what I’ve been missing.”

“Oh?” Mom asks. “I thought you loved living in Manhattan.”

“I do. Don’t get me wrong. But staying away from all the craziness is just what I needed for a little while.”

“Well, I guess you’ll be happy to know that my regular guy is coming back on Monday.”

A little pit forms in my stomach. I knew the gig was temporary, but I’m sad I’ll have to leave. I was starting to like living in Brooklyn.

“That’s no problem,” I say coolly. “I’m going to get a room at the Motor Inn nearby. I’m still not ready to go back to my and Eric’s place.”

“I have a vacant unit there, Drew, if you’d like to stay there a few more days. It’s on the market right now, but I haven’t had any interest yet.”

I take a sip of my hot Earl Grey tea with extra cinnamon, just the way my mom’s always made it.

“You have a broker? Advertising?”

“Not really. My regular super knows it’s available, and I do have an ad running in the paper right now.”

“I have to tell you, Rich, that I haven’t seen anyone come by looking for an apartment. You want me to get the word out?”

“It’s okay. I don’t really care if it sits empty.”

I take a sharp breath and cross one leg over the other, resting an ankle on my knee. It’s a power move, but then I remember that I’m not dealing with a cut-throat investor here. I’m dealing with my mom’s friend. I plant both feet firmly on the floor and lean forward a little, letting the sweet aroma of the tea fill my nose.

“I have seen some people coming around the building, though. Not people looking for an apartment. Investors. Have you been approached about selling?”

“Yeah. As a matter of fact, I have.”

I swallow hard. Shit.

“And?”

“I’m seriously considering it, to be honest. I’m getting too old to be able to keep up the building. My super is good, and I have a good handyman, but I just can’t keep tabs on the building for much longer. It’s getting to be a little bit too much for the old man to handle.”

“I see.”

“I’m thinking about selling and then retiring in Florida. I can’t go back and forth between the city and here anymore. It’s too much.”

“So do you have any real offers?”

I clench my fists in my hands and think about Lee and his asshole assessors going into the building and destroying what Rich has built over the years. Disrupting Molly’s life and the life of her neighbors. Making the building into a spot for rich assholes like me to park their money.

“I do have an offer. And I’m going to take it. It’s the first time I’ve really ever entertained the idea. But I want to do it.”

He looks over at Mom. She has her hands in her lap, and her apron is covered with flour and rust. I can see that she’s been working in the house, and she seems anxious to leave.

“It’s my time,” Rich says, looking back at me. For the first time, I’m seeing the lines in his forehead, the white of his hair.

“What if you had another offer?” I ask, putting my cup down loudly into the saucer.

“I don’t have time to compare bids. I don’t want to go through all the trouble of talking to more than one company. It’s too much.”

“You’re doing the right thing,” my mom says, putting a hand over his. “You have to do what’s right for you. You’ve held out long enough. Really. It’s okay.”

“I can’t say I’m happy with what they want to do with the building, and if I had someone come by who promised to keep it as a residence for families, I would sell to them. But no one is interested in that. They just want to buy it, flip it, make a profit and then unload it on the next buyer. No one wants anything long-term anymore. Everything’s fast these days.”

“I think I know a buyer who would be interested in keeping the building as it is now, Rich.” I unfurl my fingers and relax them on the table. It’s a gamble, but I want him to be interested.

“Really? Even if they say that, there’s no guarantees.”

“Whatever Lee is offering you, I’ll double it.”

My mom’s mouth goes slack and she looks at me with surprised, wide eyes.

“Drew? You’re the buyer?”

“Yeah. Look. I can’t say I’m not being selfish here. The truth is that I met a girl who lives in your building, Rich. And I’ve gotten to know her. And the building. And there’s life there. And I want to buy it, and continue what you’ve started.”

“Drew, you don’t have to do that. I appreciate it, but it’s too much. You’ve already done me this huge favor by looking after the building.”

“Letting me purchase it from you would be an honor, Rich. Really. It’s what I want.”

My mom is tearing up and wiping her eyes on her apron.

“Mom, don’t do that. You’re going to get all that crap in your eyes.”

“Sweetheart, I can’t help it.”

“I need to get back to the office to have some contracts drawn up. Rich, just tell me how much Lee was going to give you for the building. It’s not worth that. It’s worth double. More than double.”