Free Mistletoe & Molly by Jennifer Snow Page A

going?”
    “I have to see Aiden.”
    “You better have sex this time. I want to hear all about it!” Cameron called as Molly dashed from the café.
    She hurried down the street toward the office, eager to tell Aiden the good news. She was staying in Manhattan and she loved him.
    Inside his office moments later, she found Lynn buried behind a stack of boxes. She didn’t see her, just heard her sobbing.
    “Lynn?” Molly stood on tiptoes to peer over the tallest box.
    “Hmph,” Lynn grunted. She turned away and blew her nose into a tissue. Tears glistened on her cheeks.
    “Lynn, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”
    “Don’t tell me you don’t know.” The woman glared at her. “And I thought you were good for him…the dog…the couch…” She threw items from her desk into an empty box.
    “Lynn, slow down. I really don’t know what’s going on. Where’s Aiden?” Molly glanced into his office. He wasn’t there.
    “In Buffalo, looking for new office space.” The woman collapsed into a fresh batch of tears.
    “He’s what?” Molly didn’t believe it. “Why?”
    “Because…he…wants…to…be…with…you,” Lynn sobbed.
    Molly laughed. He was in Buffalo? The man was persistent.
    “What’s so funny? I hate Buffalo.” Lynn sniffed and reached for a new tissue.
    “Well don’t worry. You’re not going anywhere.”
    “What?”
    “Unpack these boxes.” Molly removed her coat and checked her watch. She had an hour before she had to be back at the office. “I’ll help.”
    “I don’t understand.” Lynn sat on a stack of boxes, a puzzled expression clouding her eyes.
    “The office isn’t moving. I’m not moving. Neither is Aiden.” Molly rubbed the older woman’s arm and smiled.
    “We’re not moving?”
    “No. I’m not taking the position. Now cheer up, and let’s get this office unpacked.” Molly tore into a box.
    “Oh that’s fantastic news.” Lynn blew her nose again and wiped the tears from her face. “Does Aiden know?”
    “Not yet. When is he due back?”
    Lynn checked the itinerary on the desk. “Seven o’clock.”
    “Perfect.”
    ****
    Molly heard the key in the lock at 7:10. She fluffed her hair and grabbed a book, pretending to read. She heard Aiden drop his briefcase and hang his coat. Her heart raced with excitement.
    “Hello?”
    “In the living room,” she called out, her eyes on the page of her book.
    He entered and took a seat next to her on the couch. “Molly, I’ve been thinking…”
    She put the book aside.
    “I understand you need to take this job in Buffalo, and I respect that, but the truth is I love you.” He stared at his folded hands on his lap.
    Molly’s pulse raced. She fought the urge to fly into his arms and tell him she loved him too. Instead, she waited.
    “Okay… the bottom line is, I can’t let you go. I’m moving the office to Buffalo.” He studied her expression.
    “No, you’re not.” She swung her legs down from the couch and moved closer to him.
    “Yes, I am.” He was more than ready to argue.
    She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Lynn hates Buffalo.” She kissed his cheek.
    “When were you talking to Lynn? Anyway it doesn’t matter.” He removed her arms from around his neck.
    She sat on his lap and toyed with his tie, loosening it.
    “Molly, stop, I’m serious. I’m moving to Buffalo.” He took her hands and held them away from his shirt.
    “No, you’re not.” She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, his eyes, his nose.
    “Yes, I am.” He stood in frustration, placing her firmly on the floor and detangling himself from her embrace. “I can’t fight with you when you’re doing that.” He paced the living room and raked a hand through his hair.
    Molly put her hands on her hips and pouted. “Well you certainly won’t be able to fight with me if you’re in Buffalo and I’m in Manhattan.”
    “Exactly…” He stopped pacing. “What?”
    “You heard me.” She smiled. “I mean, I guess we