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The song being played is fun and upbeat, allowing Molly and I to have a little space between us as we dance our hearts out. She looked at me differently today, and when she told me she wanted me to kiss her, it felt real. But was it real? Or did she just want to save face in front of all these people? I wouldn’t judge her for it … I mean, who wants their fake boyfriend to deny them a kiss under the mistletoe? Especially with an awaiting audience.

But I have to know what changed today, what shifted. And why do Mrs. Vanderbilt and Todd’s mother keep glaring at me with murderous expressions? I’ve sniffed all my food and beverages this evening to see if I can detect any poison.

The song switches to a slow one, and all is forgotten as my arm slides around Molly’s waist and pulls her into me. This right here? It feels so right. Her body against mine, her eyes piercing mine, her lips on mine.

I always knew this would happen … that if I got a taste of her, I would never be able to get enough.

Molly allows her head to rest against my chest, and I nearly melt into a puddle right on the dance floor. I allow my fingertips to find her spine, her very bare spine, thanks to this incredible backless dress. Thank you, Mildred.

My fingertips start at her lower back and slowly caress all the way up to the nape of her neck. Her skin is so soft, just as soft and silky as her dress. Hope blooms in my chest when goosebumps appear on her back from my touch. Or maybe she’s just cold?

I pull her in tighter, just in case. Wouldn't want her to be hypothermic or anything. Just doing my gentlemanly duty … although my thoughts are currently very far from gentlemanly. And it’s not because I haven’t been on a date in a few months; it’s because this is Molly. The Molly. Everything feels different with her. More real, more intense, more passionate.

More everything.

Everything I’ve waited for. Everything I hoped to feel for all those other girls, but never even came close to.

I feel like a moron for ever thinking I’d find another girl who made me feel the way Molly does. It was pointless. And how do I ever explain that to her? That I was a total boy-toy trying to get over her? It sounds so stupid.

I try to put these thoughts out of my head, and just soak up the feeling of this girl in my arms. Because I don’t know what’s real and what’s fake anymore. All I know is if I only get one night of this, I want to remember every detail.

Resting my chin on top of her head, I allow my hand to drop back down her spine, enjoying the feel of her impossibly soft skin again. And wishing I had one of those journals that David and Drew swear by. Because I want to write this all down and read it over and over again later.

To remember the best night of my life.

Feeling an unimpressive shove at my back, my head jerks up. My first instinct is to protect Molly, so I wrap both of my arms around her before swiveling my head to see who just shoved me.

Todd is standing there, alone. His eyes filled with rage. I’m not sure where Trudy ran off to, but I haven’t seen her all day.

“What’s your problem?” I ask him in a low voice, attempting to sway with Molly in my arms so as not to draw attention to the debacle.

“You are my problem,” he hisses.

I rear back, noting his blood-shot eyes and wobbly legs. “Are you drunk? Go to bed, man.”

“I’m not going to bed without Molly. She’s mine. Always has been, always will be,” he slurs, then sways on his wobbly legs.

Thankfully, Preston and Kenneth notice the drama their cousin is causing and rush toward us. They each grab one of his arms carefully, trying not to upset him more.

“Hey, let’s get you to bed, okay?” Preston asks him. He groans and allows his cousins to drag him off the dance floor.

Unfortunately, they weren’t able to drag Todd away from us before he had created a spectacle. Everyone is staring at us, and this time it’s not because they’re cheering for us to kiss under the mistletoe.

Mr. Vanderbilt makes his way through the crowd and stops in front of us. “Listen, Brooks. You seem like a good kid … but I think it’s best if you leave as well,” he says quietly.

“Dad,” Molly says in a baffled voice. “Brooks didn’t even do anything.”

He sighs heavily and drags a hand through his hair. “I know. But Todd’s mother, and your own … don’t see it that way.”

I feel my eyebrows shoot up, but I can’t help it. I’m even more confused than I’ve been all damn day.

“If Brooks leaves, I leave,” Molly says, standing up straight and looking her father directly in the eyes.

His eyes widen, looking almost … proud. Then he nods his head. “Goodnight to both of you then.” Calmly, he turns and leaves us.

When we arrive back at our room, I can tell Molly is exhausted. I hate that the evening ended this way when we were having such a great time together. She slumps down on the bed with a frustrated groan. I sit next to her and rub her shoulders for a moment.

“How about I make you a nice hot bath and you can relax for a while?”