“You know, I’m getting used to this,” I joke as Molly and I dress together inside my master bedroom suite.

“What?” She chuckles as I lean over to put socks on my feet.

“Waking up beside you.” I approach her and graze my fingers against her back.

“That feels amazing,” she says, and I feel chill bumps prickle on her skin.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes when I wake up, too.” She grins.

“So, do you have time for breakfast?” I ask as she follows me into the living room where I use a remote control to open my floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows overlooking the park.

“Yes, I’m starving,” she admits.

“Me, too,” I agree and rub my chiseled rock-hard stomach that’s still without a shirt yet.

“Great,” Molly says and walks over to one of the windows to look down.

The joggers and stroller pushers appear like little bugs from all the way up in the sky on the forty-ninth floor.

“See anything good?” I walk over to join Molly and stand beside her as we both peer down at the Manhattan city streets below and the fluffy green tree tops lining the park.

“Not really.” She shakes her head and grins at me, locking in our gaze together in my memory. Although I’m afraid of these feelings for her because they’re getting stronger by the fucking second, I still have Crystal on my brain, too―which makes me feel even more confused. And a bit like a dick.

“I know a great brunch place,” I offer. “Come on.” I take Molly’s hand and move her to the front door.

“Um, I mean I love to see you shirtless and all, and as much as I’m sure the restaurant patrons will side with me, the owners might not,” she teases me and points to my bare chest.

“Oh, right.” I grin and facepalm myself as if I’m actually forgetting to clothe myself.

“You sure love your body, don’t you?” she laughs.

“How can I not?” I joke and flex my muscles.

Molly whistles and claps her hands together.

“Thank you, sir, that will be a perfect ten,” she announces.

I take a little bow while she giggles. I pull a polo shirt over my head and look at her. “What?” I ask.

“Nothing.” She gives me a funny look. “It’s just that your hair is now tousled from throwing your shirt over your head and you look fucking adorable.”

“Oh,” I say and instinctively place my hand on top of my hair.

“Here, let me help you, she says and stands on her tip toes to straighten out my hair. Her fingers are soft and make me feel warm and relaxed. I like the intimacy of the gesture a lot. More than I should.

“There, much better.” She smiles, that fucking gorgeous smile that just does me in.

“Good. Ready to go?” I bounce on my heels, not sure what to do with this weird nervous energy she stirs up in me.

“Yep.”

I give Molly a thumbs up and we head out downstairs together.

It’s a beautiful day for a slow stroll in the park. The birds are singing, the grass is green, and the sky is blue. No, I’m not making any of this shit up! The universe is as happy as I am right now in this moment.

We approach a place right on the water and Molly glances up to read its title. “Bread and Butter?”

She eyes me quizzically.

“Yep.” I beam.

“Well, how fucking cute is that?” she says, relishing in the name.

We walk inside and request that the hostess lead us to an outside table so we can enjoy brunch in the warm day.

“Thank you again for last night,” Molly says a few minutes later once our food arrives at the table.

I take a fork and knife and cut into my eggs, taking a delicate and delicious bite.

“Thank you for agreeing to come as my date,” I tell her and take a sip of my mimosa.

“I’m super proud of you,” she admits and wipes her mouth with a napkin. “You really deserve all the attention you’re getting for your films.”

“I’m only half the reason for it.” I wave a hand dismissively. “Did you get to meet my best friend last night? Victor Evans?”

For the first time in my entire life, I want to focus the attention away from me, and I have no idea why Molly has this effect on me.

She nods her head. “Yeah, he seems like a really nice guy.”

“He’s amazing,” I admit. “He directs all my movies. I would be nothing without his eye for detail.”

“Well I’m sure he appreciates your praise, too,” she offers, and I feel even closer to Molly now. She’s so gracious and caring, so unlike any of the other girls I’ve dated before.

Are we even technically dating? I’m too afraid to ask.

What the fuck am I talking about? Owen Wolfe is never afraid of fucking anything. I need to get my head checked.

“Probably, but he’ll be the first to remind me if I forget,” I joke and wink at her.

“You’re still the man behind the curtain,” she says in a reminding tone, dripping with unlimited compliments to apparently shower directly my way.

I take a sip of my mimosa, and it’s so fucking good I wish the taste could linger in my mouth forever.

“You mean like the Wizard of Oz?” I tease.

“Maybe…” Molly shrugs. “Sort of, only less creepy and definitely with less eyebrow scare.” She laughs along with me.

I feel like I’m floating on a fucking cloud. Molly’s heart is genuine. She’s not out for my money; she’s got plenty to spend on her own.

Her beauty is as evident as it was on the first day I met her, but the glow of her surrounding passion fills me more with each day I spend with her.

I know, I’m growing sappy, aren’t I? Maybe that’s the only thing I’m really afraid of.

“I have to admit something to you,” I say with a beating heart, because I’m not used to being vulnerable.

“What?” Molly chews and looks at me quizzically.

“Before I started this film company, failure was always imminently pressing on my mind. I thought I’d try it out and bomb miserably. I just knew the day would come where I’d have to crawl back to my parents and beg them to help me.” I can’t believe I’m fucking admitting this to her.

“That day never came, did it?” Molly’s eyes twinkle and she grins.

“No, thankfully,” I sigh and lean back in my chair, feeling full. “I gave up a long time ago on trying to please them. The fear of disappointing doctors is huge when you just so happen to be the son of two of them,” I chuckle.

“You don’t have to tell me what it’s like to be a disappointment to parents.” Molly rolls her eyes and scoffs bitterly.

“I hate to say it, but I’m actually happy we have that in common,” I laugh.

“If I can give you any tips on that,” I point a kind finger, “it’s that if you spend your entire life trying to live up to the potential that they place for you, then you’re living their life, not your own.” I say.

Molly’s eyes light up as if I’m telling her the secrets to the universe. “Oh my God, you are totally right,” she says and stares off into space as if she’s digesting this new information.

“I aim to please.” I grin and shrug my shoulders. “The industry I’m creating isn’t the most ideal, but I’m proud of where we’ve come from and where we are heading in the future,” I admit.

“You should be.” Molly gives me a warm smile.

“Ready to head back to the Avalon?” I ask after I pay the bill.

“I’m ready when you are,” Molly says. We walk out of the restaurant together, only this time it’s hand in hand.