Page 36 of Ten Kisses

"I really love it," I said staring.

"Happy graduation."

"Thank you," I said, standing up. I took a deep breath letting my shoulders rise and fall. "It's been a crazy day. I've been up since early this morning. Mom and Dad spent the night at John-Michael's, and I went over there early to have coffee and breakfast with them. Then there was graduation, and then the restaurant, and then I went back home, and that was crazy. That's what took me so long."

"What do you mean?"

"There's been construction at my house. You know how that apartment I'm in is part of their garage? Well, I knew Darren was having construction done in there, but I didn't know everything. Michelle had told me months ago that it was something for Darren. I've seen construction crews coming in and out of there, but I thought it had nothing to do with… anyway, today, while I was at graduation, they installed a door in my apartment."

"What?"

"Yeah, that room was for me. They expanded my apartment, and they bought these machines. My dream kitchen, Salem, and I can't even believe it. I would've never had room for those machines in the old kitchen."

"What machines?"

"That's what I'm saying. They bought me all the equipment, too. It's everything I need. The whole set is like fifteen-grand. They did that and the room. Darren said that was my graduation present."

"As long as you live there forever?" Salem asked.

"No, he said the equipment is mine. I can take it when I leave. As far as the apartment, he said he wanted to expand it, anyway."

"What does his wife think about that?"

"Oh, she was there the whole time. Neither of them knew what any of the machines did, so I spent the last hour explaining their own presents to them."

"I can't believe that."

"I know. It's insane. It's the granddaddy version of everything I had. It makes my old set up look like amateur hour. That's what took me so long. It was shocking. I went into my apartment to find a new door and a whole new room—it's a new apartment. Now I see why my family asked me to go to John-Michael's for breakfast. They must've had a crew there all day."

"Was the doorway complete?"

"Totally finished, with a working door to my living room. Unbelievable. I have free rent and now I have the kitchen of my dreams. It's insane. It hasn't even sunk in yet."

"I bet," he said. "That is crazy."

"Just wait till you eat some of my chocolate next week. Maybe not next week. It might take me a little while to learn those new machines. But hit me up next month, and you're going to see what fine, fresh chocolate tastes like."

Chapter 13

Salem

"Hit you up next month?" Salem asked, smiling at her. "What about your customers between now and then? Are you going to stop taking orders while you work it out?"

Molly was confident and happy, and she smiled as she shook her head. "No, it'll be fine. If anything, my job's going to be easier on that bigger, better equipment."

Salem was annoyed inwardly. The inside of his body actually antsy and agitated. He had to work to stay cool and composed. He pretended not to be jealous or skeptical. He couldn't come to terms with the fact that her landlord had given her a kitchen and he had given her a stool. He felt embarrassed and angry, and he did not show it at all. He smiled and pretended to be happy for her.

He figured he should be happy for her.

There was no reason not to be. It was amazing that she would have better equipment. He really was happy for her.

He just hoped there were no strings attached.

It seemed awfully generous.

Salem didn't want to be skeptical. He wanted to believe that a random person would spend tens of thousands of dollars on a friend and not expect anything in return. He just didn't give Darren Collins that much credit. The guy rubbed him the wrong way.

"What a day," Salem said, smiling at her, and not letting her in on his jaded thoughts.

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