Page 112 of Dirty Temptation

But it works.

Like letting all the air out of a balloon.

At the end of the thirty minutes—that is the maximum time—we have to tell each other we love them.

Even through gritted teeth.

It’s fucking hard when you’re mad.

But losing Molly would be a million times worse.

I’ll never let that happen.

Molly is part of my family now. At Christmas, my father warmed to her immediately. It helps that she and Payton are best friends and she knew Bella. All three of them are very close.

Dad surprised me a few months ago.

Molly and I were over for dinner, and he told me Jin Kwan, our head of design, was retiring.

“I want to offer you the head of design position at WME, Atlas,” Ward said.

My mouth fell open.

Before Molly, this was everything I’d have wanted. She’s changed me. I’m looking at everything differently. Molly and these babies make me feel like I’m enough. Just being me.

I’m proud of the trophy sitting in my office and the designs I’ve created for one of the biggest luxury fashion brands in the world.

Watching Molly run her business and thriving got me thinking one day.

What if...what if I created my own label?

What if I started something new.

That was mine.

With my name on it.

I reached over and took Molly’s hand. I’d told her about it, and she was so excited for me.

There’d be no timeline in my head but now felt like the right time to do this.

“I’m honored, Dad. Thank you. But actually, I’m going to resign.” I smiled at Molly.

Ward was taken aback.

“Really?”

I nodded. “Yes. I’m going to start my own fashion label and hit a different demographic. It’s something I need to do.”

Ward sat back and stared at me.

Pride.

Pride, unlike anything I’d seen in him—toward me—was bright in his eyes.

“You do that, son. I can’t wait to see what you create.”

My world feels so damn perfect, and I’m so blessed.

---