Page 57 of Ten Kisses

"Thank you for your time," Salem said.

"What?" Darren asked the question but it was at Salem's back because Salem had already turned to walk away.

"Tell Molly she can come to me if she has a problem with it, and we'll work it out!" Darren called.

But Salem was already walking out.

It must've been God who helped Salem leave that house because he felt like he was not in control of his own body. The carnal man inside of him was still back in that room, dealing with this man physically. It was not his own strength and willpower that helped him leave the room. Something came over Salem and helped him.

He calmly walked over to Molly's. He was focused and determined. She was standing in her living room, waiting for him, and he closed the door as he stepped inside. She came up to him in a good mood like a precious ray of sunshine.

"Did you talk to him?" she said, smiling, and touching his arms.

"Hey, baby, did you have to sign a second contract when Darren added on this kitchen?"

"Yeah. It was an addendum adding the room as part of my lease agreement. Why, was there something in the fine print that I didn't see? Is my rent about to go up?"

She crossed her eyes like the thought frightened her. She was in such a sweet, good mood that it made his heart ache. He wondered what that man had seen in the room without Molly knowing. He had been with her in there, they had kissed in that room, and he wondered if Darren had seen them. He felt like he could be sick at the thought.

But there was no time for that.

"Hey, Molly?"

"What?" She looked at him, and for the first time since he walked in, her smile faded. "What happened in there?"

"Do you love me and trust me?" he asked quietly.

"The most," she said. "Why? What's going on?"

"Can you move into my house? Come stay at the house where I currently live. I'll move into the new place."

"The new place isn't ready. What are you talking about, Salem what happened? Please tell me what happened."

"I honestly don't even know what to say, my love. I need to think about it for a second. For now, can you just trust me and believe me when I tell you that I want you to leave this house today with me and not come back? I can come back for your stuff. We will work out your chocolate machines. I'll stay in the shop until the house is ready. The shop couch is comfortable. I've worked late a couple of times and spent the night there already. I like it there. It's comfortable."

"That's why I can sleep on it," she said. "I'll take the shop."

He smiled at her. "Does that mean you're leaving with me?"

"Yes."

"Don't worry about your chocolate machines. We'll figure everything out."

"I know. I'm not worried. Let's go. I'm ready now."

She was still smiling at him even though she didn't understand. She trusted him, and she was willing to leave that very second, no questions asked. Salem was so relieved that he hugged her. "Thank you, Molly," he said as she hugged him back. He knew he would protect and love her forever.

Epilogue

Molly

A year later

~

Our wedding night

I always wanted a late September wedding. Maybe it came naturally to me with my red hair, but I loved the fall, and if I had fantasized about getting married as a child, it would've been a wedding in September. That was the perfect month to have a wedding because it was nice and cool but not too cold. Plus, there was nothing else sharing the month with you, no holidays… at least none that my family celebrated. Early September was for starting school, but late September was for weddings—at least that was how I felt.

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