Page 42 of Ten Kisses

"Molly," he said in a warning tone.

"John-Michael," I said back to him. "I don't know why you and Sara are so freaked out about it. I guess she actually thinks that she and I have to marry twins. And now you're here telling me that he's off-limits because he's Sadie's brother."

"Exactly, but I figured you knew that already. I was mostly coming to warn you because I saw he was looking at you last night, and I knew he was fragile."

"Stop saying that. Salem is anything but fragile."

"You know what I mean. I know you know about that girl. He was waiting for her."

"That girl is married, and he's fine. She has nothing to do with Salem."

"Molly, why are you smiling? Don't. I'm being sincere here."

"I'm smiling because it's crazy that both you and Sara are being like this."

"Well, then maybe it's a sign that it's not a good option. Are you thinking about going out with Salem? That would not work."

I thought about being with Salem the night before. I thought about our conversation and our closeness.

It would work.

It was already working.

"Yes, I was thinking about it. I've already been out with him."

"Nooo!"

He said it so seriously that I pulled back and stared at my brother. He put his head in his hands as if it were the worst news ever.

"But don't tell Sara," I said.

"Don't worry, I won't. I will not tell Sara or anyone else. I definitely will not tell my wife. Molly, you have to do what's right and not see him anymore. You can't let some kind of relationship form with you guys. If there was a break up, that would be horrible. Do you know how much Sadie loves her brothers?"

I was so angry that it was difficult to give John-Michael any credit or believe that he wanted what was best for me right then. I wanted to tell him that we were way closer than he thought we were and that he was too late. I wanted to tell him that I loved Salem. I didn't, though.

"Look at all this stuff," he said. "Your business is just starting to take off."

After he said that, we were quiet for about thirty seconds, but it seemed like an hour.

"Someone's here," I said in a serious, matter-of-fact tone when I heard a car.

"Is that my wife already? We haven't gotten anything settled. I don't feel any better right now than I did when I came in. In fact, I feel worse."

"That makes two of us," I said.

"Just think about what I'm saying, Molly. You're two different types of people, you and Salem. He may be attracted to you, and it might seem tempting, but please just don't. You just graduated, and he's almost my age. One date is nothing. You're still at the very beginning. Just nip it in the bud. Promise me you won't continue to…" He trailed off because we heard a thud against the door.

It was Ethan, and he tried a second time and suddenly busted into the door.

"Heyyy, where's your new chocolate shop, Aunt Molly?" Ethan said, rushing inside while talking, completely oblivious to our conversation. I smiled but it was entirely fake because I was hurt and confused by my brother's demands.

"Hey, y'all, I'm so sorry," Sadie called from outside.

"Hey punkin'!" I said, stooping down to lift Ethan and hug him.

"Where did you get these chocolate machines?"

"Mr. Darren and Ms. Michelle."

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