“When?”
“On the hundredth day we’ve been together.”
“That’s a long time.”
“Only about three months.”
Hmm. He might not even want to wait that long. Just look how quickly things fell apart with Owen in spite of the number of times he said he loved me.
I decide not to take the timeline too seriously. “So it’s a secret?” I look down at the paper. What did Nicholas write? I’m dying of curiosity.
“No. You can use Google translate if you like. I just want to tell you later.”
I didn’t expect him to suggest that I try Google, but then, it makes sense for him to know that’s what I could do if I don’t feel like waiting.
He is looking at me with warmth in his eyes. It’s so sweet, it makes me believe he holds something more than affection for me, too. So instead of pulling up Google on my phone, I smile at him playfully. “Then I’ll wait. Hope you’re worth it, mister.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Nicholas
Molly’s eyes shine as she tilts her face up and looks at me. A lovely rose colors her cheeks, and she is smiling like she’s happy—as though last night she didn’t cry like her world was falling apart.
Then I’ll wait. Hope you’re worth it, mister.
She doesn’t ask for explanations. Now that I know more of the damage done to her fragile heart, I understand how precious the trust she places in me is. It makes me feel like a giant of a man—and at the same time, it’s humbling.
I’d rather die than do anything to hurt her.
“What do you want to do today?” It’s too late to go to the Vegas event, but we can do something else she’ll enjoy.
“I was going to go apartment hunting, but my real estate agent hasn’t contacted me with anything.”
I try to look innocent. “That’s too bad, but like I said, you can stay here as long as you need.”If things go the way I plan, he’ll never find an apartment for you. Cody should’ve signed a lease with every single place that fit her criteria.
“Thanks.”
She didn’t say anything about reallyneedinga place of her own, like she did before, much to my pleasure. Maybe she’s getting used to the idea of our sharing a home—even thinking of this place as hers.
“Maybe I’ll bake some cookies.” She smiles over the rim of her mug. “I promised I’d make some for you, and I want do something nice for both of us. My cookies are pretty awesome, you know.”
Her good humor warms my heart. And I smile at her choice of phrase—something nice for both of us. It sounds like she’s looking for things to do that we’ll both enjoy, like a real couple in a committed relationship.
She finishes her coffee.
“Do we have everything you need?” I ask, since her desire to bake seems spontaneous.
“Cody should’ve taken care of it.”
She goes to the pantry. I amble in behind her, in case she needs some help. She pulls out a few bags, then turns abruptly. “Oh! You scared me.”
“Just here to assist.” I flex my biceps, half playful, half showing off.
“You can bring those bags of white chocolate chips and the chopped macadamia nuts.”
I reach around her and grab the ones she pointed out. My arm brushes against hers, and the hair on my forearm rises as azingsizzles along my skin. Her swift intake of breath seems loud in the pantry, and the sound tugs at my dick, but she’s already out and into the kitchen.
After placing the items on the counter, I pull out appliances for her—I don’t cook, but I know where things are. The kitchen is sizeable and sterile, but it doesn’t feel that way with her in it. She has a way of making the place feel homey. And I love having her do things with me on a lazy Saturday.
