by K. C. Crowne
“Oh God,” I whimpered, feeling like I might soak the sheets underneath us if he didn’t stop.
But he needed to stop. I couldn’t get too attached to him, and he shouldn’t get too attached to me either. I put a hand on his chest, and he stopped. His face turned serious.
“Alright, yes, we need to talk,” he said with a deep sigh. “I came over here to talk, but then I saw you and couldn’t control myself.”
“I couldn’t control myself either, obviously,” I said with a chuckle. “But we do need to buckle down and talk about what we’re going to do. We can’t keep this secret forever.”
His face turned solemn and he nodded. “You’re right. And I’ll tell you right now, Molly. I can’t lose you or this child. I need you both in my life.”
My heart felt like it was ripped from my chest. I wanted so badly to tell him he wouldn’t lose me, that we could be together, but I wasn’t realistic.
“I won’t keep your child from you, Silas. We can split custody and work something out, but I’m not sure you and I should be together.”
“I might have agreed before, but not now. Not with the baby. Not to mention, we’re pretty damn good together Molly. Give me one good reason.”
“I’ll give you more than one. The distance, for one. And the fact that I’m your son’s best friend. The age difference, the different life goals - everything.”
“I’m not gonna lose you, Molly,” he repeated. His hand moved to my belly, stroking it gently. “And I don’t want my child to grow up in New York City.”
I yanked myself away. “It’s not just your child we’re talking about. It’s my life too.”
“Yes, and we both know you’re barely making ends meet in New York. Think about all you could have here. I’d take care of you both, Molly. You’d never have to work a day in your life.”
“If you think I don’t want to work, that I don’t have career goals of my own outside of making money, then you don’t know me at all, Silas.”
My words seemed to cut him. He flinched as if I’d hit him. Raising himself from the bed, he stared down at me. I sat up and reached for my clothes, turning away from him. It was hard to think seriously when I was staring at his naked body.
“Well, then, we could work on your career here,” he countered.
I scoffed. “Yeah, I could design the latest trends in boots and spurs, I guess, but that’s not why I went to a fashion school. New York is where I need to be.”
“Is it, though? We have Dallas, Houston, Austin, and a number of other cities not too far from us - Las Vegas, hell, even Los Angeles is only a short flight away. You have options out here if you’d look for them.”
“Silas, please…you’re asking me to give up my entire life and move here. Do you realize how unfair that is?”
He was quiet, and I had to glance behind me to see if he was still there - even though I knew there was no way he’d have left.
“I don’t wanna lose you or the baby,” he repeated.
I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, giving myself a moment to think. “You won’t lose the baby, Silas. I won’t do what Christopher’s mother did to you - but I can’t uproot my life and move to the middle of fucking nowhere. I just can’t. I think we need some more time.”
“More time? For what?”
“To think this over,” I said, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible. “Obviously you’re still not listening to me, and I need you to listen. Until then, I think it’s best if you left.”
“You’re kickin’ me out?” he asked, stunned.
“I’m asking you to leave,” I said, standing up and putting on the rest of my clothes.
When I turned, Silas had also gotten dressed. He was muttering to himself, and I couldn’t understand his words. I didn’t even try.
I walked over to the door and opened it, staring right at Silas. “I need some space, Silas. I need to think about what’s best for me and the baby, and I need you to think about that too. We also need to think about Christopher, as we’ve already done enough damage to your relationship. I highly doubt us continuing to see each other would be good for that.”
Silas walked over to the door but stopped in front of me. He stared down at me with those brilliant hazel eyes and it made me weak in the knees. I held onto the door for balance and to keep myself standing straight and tall.
“Molly, please, just think about what I’ve said. Do you really think you can raise our baby in the city alone?”
He didn’t wait for an answer. He stepped out of the hotel room and left me alone. What I’d asked him to do.
But for some reason, I found myself wishing he’d stay.
I closed the door behind him, finding the strength to not call Silas back. Then I leaned against the closed door and let out the tears I’d been holding in for far too long.
Silas
“What do you think?” the realtor asked with a hopeful look on her face. “A storefront like this won’t last long. You want to open a store, Larimer Square is the place to do it.”
I had done my research. Larimer Square was the oldest shopping district in Houston. While it had gone through a period of hard times, it was now one of the trendiest shopping districts in town. Tourists came from all over to walk down the historic street with chef-owned restaurants, boutique stores from international designers, and more. It was the perfect place for a new boutique in Houston.
I just had to convince Molly of that fact.
“You won’t find space like this anywhere else. It’s just over a thousand square feet of storefront, with an office and restrooms in the back,” Laura, the realtor explained. Normally, I wouldn’t fall for sales tactics, but again, I’d done my research.
And I knew she spoke the truth.
I walked over to the large windows that overlooked the street. People milled about outside, shopping and eating and enjoying life. It wasn’t New York City, but it was a start. Expecting to open a storefront in New York without a huge investment was asking a lot. And there was so much risk as you were starting out and learning the ropes. As far as I knew, Molly didn’t have the business plan or anything locked down. This, too, was a risk, but it was a risk I was willing to take.
It was one I could afford easily, and if it would convince Molly to stay in Texas, it was worth every penny and more.
“I’ll take it,” I said nonchalantly.
“You will? Don’t even want to think about?” Laura asked.
“You said there were others lookin’, right?”
“There are. I have several appointments today.”
“Then I’ll take it.”
“You mean you’d like to put in an offer?”
“I’ll offer askin’ price. I see no reason they’d turn down the offer, do you?”
A smile spread across Laura’s face. She was likely thinking this was the easiest sale in her life - and perhaps she was right. I was eager to do anything to convince Molly to stay.
I knew nothing about the fashion world, but I’d already walked the street and checked out the other stores. I had an idea about how we could make this space Molly’s own. Well, Molly and Christopher’s since they wanted to start something together - but I wasn’t sure if that plan was the same anymore. And I knew Christopher would be hard pressed to return to Texas. So for now, this was for Molly. She’d get to decide what she wanted to do with it.
And I’d help her set it up, get it just the way she wanted.
I’d make her dreams come true and hope that she stayed by my side.
I went back to Laura’s office and signed the paperwork. I had more than enough money, so I told Laura I’d be paying it in cash - no need to deal with banks. She seemed even more surprised, giving me a look from head to toe along with an appreciative smile.
“What does a guy like you need a storefront for, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“It’s not for me,” I said.
“Your wife?” Her face fell.
I
thought about correcting her. I didn’t know what Molly was to me yet. But she was having my baby, so she was mine. And I was determined to make her my wife.
“Yes, she’s a fashion designer. It’s about time she had her own space.”
“Well, she’s a very lucky woman,” Laura said, her voice tinged with something that sounded like jealousy.
“I hope she feels lucky.”
“I can’t imagine she wouldn’t appreciate a gift like this,” Laura said, typing away at her computer, drafting the contract.
Yeah, well, you don’t know Molly, I thought. She thought she couldn’t live her dream out here. But if I could show her this place, if I could bring her out here and let her imagine her very own storefront, I had a chance at keeping her.
“Can I bring her by at some point?”
“Sure, just give me a call and we can set something up.”
I was already reaching for my phone. I had to act fast, convince Molly it was worth staying here before she went back to the city.
I called her while Laura continued working out the details of the sale.
“Molly? I have something to show you. Can you come to Houston?”
Ooo000ooo
“What is this?” Molly asked as we walked down the street toward the storefront. “If you’re trying to convince me I could open a shop here…”
She stopped speaking as we rounded the corner and her storefront came into view. I’d had Laura put a sign out front - something I scribbled together quickly - that said, “Molly’s Boutique.”
Molly’s eyes were wide, and she lifted her hands to her mouth, covering her face. “Silas, what did you do?”
She rushed to the doorway, which was locked. I had the key, so I opened the door. Molly stepped inside and began turning circles, trying to take it all in.
“I know it’s not much right now, but imagine this…” I walked over to one wall. “Dressing rooms lining this wall, with plenty of room for your racks of clothing on the floor. And look at those big windows. And all the people walking down the street who would see your designs that would stop and shop.”
Molly walked over to the window. She hadn’t said a word since we stepped inside. I had no way of telling what she was thinking, and it was driving me crazy.
She turned back around, taking the space in. “I can’t believe it’s so big.”
I stifled the urge to make a dirty joke. I was, after all, the older one here.
“Like, I can’t even imagine what a space like this would cost you in Manhattan. Or anywhere in the city for that matter.”
“Probably millions,” I commented. “Actually, yes, around that. I’ve already looked into it to compare.”
“And all the people walking by, wow,” she said, turning to look out the window again. “I’ll be honest, I’d never been to Houston. I had no idea it had shopping like this here.”
“This is a historic neighborhood too. Lots of tourists. You can probably pull in some high-end clientele, if that’s your thing,” I said with a shrug. “To be honest, I don’t really know what you’re looking to do.”
She chuckled. “I can’t say I do either because I never imagined it was actually going to happen.” Something shifted on her face, as if suddenly it occurred to her what this would mean. “But I can’t accept this, Silas.”
“Why? Because it’s Texas? Think about it, you have to start somewhere, and starting in Manhattan really isn’t practical.”
“It’s not that,” she said, tears welling in her beautiful eyes. “I can’t accept this from you. It’s far too generous.”
“Molly,” I said, walking toward her. I expected her to move away, but she didn’t. I walked right up to her and took her sweet face in my hands, turning it upward to look at me. God, she was so beautiful, I nearly lost my train of thought. “I’m willin’ to do anything for you and our child. Absolutely anything. If it keeps you here, I’d buy you the moon. You say the word, and it’s yours. This place is already yours, but if you like another space better, I’ll buy that too.”
Her mouth opened in surprise, and I didn’t let her say a word. I kissed her without thinking, and she kissed me back. I couldn’t explain it, but I wanted her by my side, always. It was too soon to call it love, maybe, but I already loved the child growing inside of her.
Our child.
So why couldn’t I feel strongly for its mother as well?
I didn’t care if it made no sense.
Molly pulled away and blushed. “Silas, we still need to talk about Christopher.”
Those words could pull me from the fantasy world in a second. She was right. My son and I were as close as we’d ever been, and this wouldn’t go over well.
“We’ll tell him,” I said. “But first, I need to know if you’ll stay. That way we can tell him everything at once. No more secrets or surprises.”
“I can’t— I don’t know, Silas. Like I said, even if I did want this, I couldn’t take it.”
“You can, Molly. And you will. Whether you move here or not, this place is yours. It’s in your name, to do with as you please.”
The paperwork still needed to be drafted, but that was the plan. I was giving it to Molly. If she decided to turn around and sell it, it was her prerogative - but I was hoping she wouldn’t.
I saw the look on her face when she stepped into it and started imagining the possibilities. It excited her, and the way her eyes lit up, it was like all her dreams had been realized.
If she stayed with me, I’d make sure every last one of them came true.
I’d give her anything. All she had to do was ask.
Molly
As soon as I walked into the space, something clicked inside of me.
All this time, I was so focused on going big - starting out in the center of Manhattan, doing things that would cost a fortune, and not the least bit likely for someone new in the industry. It had always been a dream to work for myself.
But when I’d walked into that storefront, it felt like coming home.
I could see the racks of my clothes, picture people coming in off the street. My style was more classic with a hint of modern, and it would fit into a city like Houston - or almost anywhere. So why did I think the only way to success was starting out at the top already?
I laid in bed, ruminating. It was still just a dream for me - I wasn’t about to take something like that from Silas. It was far too generous. It felt selfish.
And there was the whole Christopher thing to consider as well.
We had always talked about going into business together, and I wasn’t sure he’d want to do that in Texas. I wasn’t sure if he’d ever want to speak to me again after he found out I was carrying his half-brother or sister either.
That emptiness inside of me came back - I yearned to talk to my best friend, to tell him everything. But Silas and I had to come together and decided the best way to tell him. I couldn’t do it on my own.
But I had no one to talk to, and the shitty hotel room walls felt like they were closing in on me.
My phone buzzed and I frowned when I saw that it was Silas. I almost didn’t answer - we’d seen each other only hours before. I hadn’t made any decisions yet. I needed time for all that. But I was also lonely.
I picked up. “Yes?” I said dryly.
“Hey, are you hungry by chance?”
My stomach growled at the mere mention of food. “I could eat, but I can’t come over there, Silas. Not until we tell Christopher.”
“I wasn’t talking about you comin’ over here.”
“Well, I don’t have a kitchen here.”
“I’m askin’ if you’d like to grab a bite to eat.”
“Oh.” For some reason, the very idea of going out to dinner with Silas was the last thing on my mind.
“The options aren’t that great, but the local bar in town serves food, as you’re well aware. And it’s right by your hotel.”
“What if someone sees us?” I asked, biting my lip.
>
“Well, eventually we’ll be tellin’ everyone the news, so what’s it matter?”
He had a point.
“And,” he continued, “we can discuss how we’re gonna tell Christopher and everyone else. We need to do that soon, Molly. I think we both know it.”
“Everything else is off-limits, though,” I said. “I’m not ready to talk about whether I should move here or what we’re going to do. I still need time to process everything and so do you.”
“Fine,” he agreed. “We’ll table that discussion for now, but we need to tell people. And the sooner, the better.”
“You’re right,” I sighed.
“So I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”
I started to argue, but I didn’t have it in me. I didn’t want to stop this. I wanted to see him, and I wanted to tell Christopher everything. So the sooner the better.
“Okay,” I said before hanging up the phone.
I’m not sure he would have taken no for an answer anyway. That seemed to be the way with Silas. I told him I had no intention of staying in Texas, and he bought me a store. Christopher was right about his dad. He was stubborn as hell.
I found myself smiling, though. It wasn’t a bad stubbornness. I could actually appreciate it. I knew he was just trying to show that he cared for me and the baby.
I quickly changed out of my pajamas and into a nice pair of jeans and a sweater. I stared in the mirror, cupping my belly. It was too soon to notice any roundness, but soon, it would become obvious. I couldn’t keep this secret from people forever.
The idea of my belly growing brought an even bigger smile to my face. All my life, I’d wanted a family, but I always assumed it would happen someday. You know, after the career and all that. I was doing things a bit backwards, sure, but I couldn’t be sad.
I’d have a baby in eight months.
There was a knock on the door, and I checked the clock.
“Right on time,” I said to myself with a laugh. I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. When I pulled it open, my breath caught in my throat.