There has to be an explanation for this.

As a reporter, I try to look at a story from all angles. I try not to take things at face value.

Take the gossip blogs, for instance. They just post a picture of whatever celebrity is hot right now and has the unfortunate luck of leaving the house without makeup, just like the rest of us do every single day.

And all the rags run is the picture. It’s superficial. It’s the definition of skin deep.

There could be another explanation for everything I witnessed with Clarissa the day when I was out shopping, but then I got confirmation from Drew that it really was what it looked like.

Now, I have two new pieces of information that I’ve learned first-hand.

First, we have Drew hugging his ex. This is the same ex who I know is out and about with at least two other guys.

Second, we have Drew shaking hands with some finance guy who I know for a fact wants to flip the building, and who I know Drew is already sparring with. It is just not adding up.

“I know this is a cliche, but it’s not what it looks like,” Drew says, smiling.

“You think this is all funny? A game? These are people’s lives you’re dealing with here, Drew.”

“Okay, ma’am, I am going to have to ask you to calm down. Don’t make me call security on you.”

“You really are unbelievable.” I turn away from him and try to hide my face. The sun outside is shining, but I feel like there is a lightning storm going off in my heart.

“And what about you, Molly? Why don’t you try having a little faith in people. You’re all about listening to people and their stories. It’s what you’re passionate about. I know that’s why you wanted to be a journalist. But you’ve been skeptical about me and judged me from the moment I walked up to you in the bar. But guess what? It doesn’t matter what clothes I have on. It doesn’t matter how much money I have. You have to break down the wall you have around your heart.”

“So tell me. Why were you talking to Lee? You told me yourself that he was going to screw up the building. You told me yourself that he and his firm are up to something.”

“This is the girl I fell in love with. The girl who asks questions. The girl who doesn’t take things at face value. I was talking to Lee because, actually, I bought the building.”

I spin around to face Drew.

“You...bought the building? The building?”

“Yes. I bought the building, okay?”

“And do you have amazing plans for it? Knock down a bunch of walls? Get everyone out?”

“I have plans. But it’s not what you think.”

“Then why don’t you tell me what I think, Drew?”

I sit down at the fountain and take a deep breath. So Drew bought the building. Not a big deal. He bought me that beer flight. He bought the building. All in the same week. Whatevs. No biggie.

“I bought the building precisely because I didn’t want to happen what you feared would happen. I’m sorry I scared you there for a minute. But Lee is out of the picture. And as a bonus, I got the whole mess with the lawsuit straightened out, too. That’s what we call a two-fer.”

I want to stand up and run away, but I feel like my legs won’t work if I try. It’s the same feeling I had when Drew first hit on me at the bar, the first time he came into my apartment to check on my leaky sink, the first time he told me I needed to get some real food into my refrigerator. It’s all been so mundane, the things he’s done for me, but so extraordinary at the same time, because he’s Drew Anderson.

“A two-fer? Is that a real estate term?”

“No, babe.” He sits down next to me and tucks my hair behind my ears. I guess it got a little messed up when I was busy ranting and raving like a madwoman in the lobby of his building. “That’s just when two really good things happen at once. It doesn’t have to be only in real estate.”

“I know, Drew. I was playing around. I know what a two-fer is.”

“Then I guess we’re finally talking the same language, no? I guess we really do have some common ground, after all.”

“Yeah.” My heart will not shut up again. I can’t take it. I can feel people looking at us as he looks down at me and puts his hand under my chin to guide my mouth to his. He kisses me sweetly. It’s electrifying, and I don’t want it to stop.

“So I guess you aren’t the super of the building anymore, huh? Am I ever going to see you after the paperwork goes through and you’re the new owner?”

“Well, you’re right. I’m not the super anymore. There’s always been a regular building super, and I think he’s about to come back from vacation in a couple of days.”

“So it’s back to your island, right?”

“No, Molly. I plan on being a very involved owner.”