"Not happening, Molly. You'll get hyperthermia or something. At least get dressed," he insisted.

I laughed and finally gave in. "Okay, you're right." I reached up and grabbed his hand allowing him to push me up. I slipped, of course and ended up smacked against his chest. He placed his right hand on my lower back to steady me.

I chuckled with embarra.s.sment. Standing almost naked in a freezer and tripping into Travis... could it get any worse? Suddenly the door sprung open. Apparently, it can.

"Holy s.h.i.t, Molly. Having s.e.x on the kitchen counter wasn't enough for you, now you had to move it to the freezer?" Blakely stood there with the door wide open for everyone to see. f.u.c.k me...

"Oh my G.o.d!" I panicked at the realization of the situation. "This is not what it looks like," I coaxed trying to cover myself up behind Travis.

"Blakely close the door!" Travis ordered helping me pick up my remaining clothes off the floor.

"Does your boyfriend know you're a s.l.u.t?" Blakely snarled back, holding her gaze towards me.

With only my pants and bra on, I pushed past Travis and stood face to face with Blakely. She stood there surprised unable to speak, I whipped my shirt around and shoved past her. Every one stood sh.e.l.l-shocked as I blazed through the kitchen doors.

Drake's receptionist led me into his office where Drake stood staring out the windows yelling on the phone. She didn't even flinch when Drake raised his voice like she was used to it. She smiled as she nodded for me to go sit and wait for him.

"This is unacceptable! You better figure it out, or you're fired!" Drake screamed as he turned around and noticed me sitting there. His face fell as he saw my blood shot eyes like I had cried the whole way up here. Well, I had cried the whole way up here.

"Baby!" he slammed the phone down and came to my side. "Are you alright?"

"No. I'm not." My face fell into my hands to cover my swollen eyes.

It was like he knew. He could read my soul. He could see right through me. He grabbed my face with his hands and kissed me. He pressed firmly on my lips allowing all the anxiety and stress to leave my body. He was the anchor to my heart He anch.o.r.ed me; helped me stay on my feet. He gave me hope, knowing our love was steadfast.

"Baby, listen. I'm working on it. The photos got leaked. I'm so so sorry... but I'm fixing it, I promise!" He sounded so genuine like he was afraid to lose me.

"Love anchors the soul..." I mumbled.

"As long as you are mine, we will never sink," he continued, looking "I have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm, and secure." I continued, remembering my favorite verse.

For the past four years, I have felt like a sinking ship like the past was an anchor holding me back. Now I wanted to use that anchor to let Drake in so I could let go and just be happy again. It was hope. Love. Strength. I was ready. I am ready.

I flashed back to the time I took a s.e.xy picture of myself for Liam. I wanted to do something special for his eighteenth birthday and given that I was only sixteen; we had to keep the picture private. Unfortunately, Liam's younger brother found it and made dozens of photocopies spreading it all over the school. I was devastated for months. I could only imagine how awful this could turn out.

That night Drake finally was able to follow the email that had gone out. He had underestimated his ex lover, Kendra. Apparently, she would leak the photos if she didn't get his attention. She was slowing humiliating me first the blackmail, then emailing it to all my peers...

What was next? Social media? Press?

Drake refused to play her games; instead, he would blackmail her back.

"How are you going to do that?" I asked curiously.

"Don't worry babe. I have private photos of her too that she'd never want public," he said nonchalantly giving no explanation.

My face fell. Pictures of her? Did he take them? Or maybe she sent them to him? I had too many questions but now wasn't the time to ask.

The rest of the week was a blur. Going to my internship and cla.s.ses were now an anxiety attack waiting to happen. I avoided Blakely at all costs. Travis remained close by defending me if anyone even looked at me wrong. He was like my superhero big brother.

"Eww stop it!" I laughed hitting Travis on the arm. He was eating a tuna fish sandwich opening his mouth wide open for all his chewed up food to be seen. He was like a big kid, but he sure knew how to make me laugh and forget everything.

"So what's on your agenda this weekend?" he asked changing the subject.

"Not really sure. Haven't really been in the mood to do anything but curl up in my bed and wallow in a gallon of chocolate ice cream."

He raised his eyebrows at me, "Girls really do that stuff?"

"Yes!" I hit his arm again. "It's the only time in a girls life that makes it acceptable."

"Well, if your interested, I'm taking Jacob to the Shedd Aquarium Sat.u.r.day. Perhaps him and Stella could have a play date," he said casually like it wasn't a big deal or anything. Play date or date date?

"I'm sure she'd love that! She's been begging me to take her. Would you mind if I brought my roommate, Michael with? He loves going with Stella to these types of places," I counter-offered. At least this way it wouldn't seem like a date. Michael could help navigate away from any awkwardness.

"Yeah, the more the merrier! Well, I already have your number, so I'll call you tomorrow morning so we can meet up."

"Sounds great, see you then!" I grabbed the rest of my belongings and left. That made for an interesting end to my week.

I had seen Drake every night this week. He would meet me at my apartment, or I would sneak away after Stella was in bed for the night. It was becoming exhausting, but he was well worth it. He had another business trip this weekend that allowed Stella and I some bonding time together.

"Stella baby, we have to go!" I called trying to drag our belongings out the door. "Michael, are you coming or what?"

Michael came strolling out of his bedroom wearing a fluffy purple robe holding a box of tissues looking like absolute c.r.a.p. It was obvious he wasn't coming with us today.

"You look like s.h.i.t." I nodded at him as he blew his nose.

"Well, I feel like s.h.i.t." Stella came skipping out of her room with her little backpack on. "Sorry Stella-bug, I can't go with you today. I'm too sick." He frowned.

"That's okay Uncle Michael. I'll bring you back something to help make you feel better!" she smiled and hugged him.

"Thanks baby. Have a wonderful time." He leaned down to hug her and looked back at me. "Have fun Molly," he winked realizing now it was going to look like a date.

Drake had called me that morning after he arrived in Atlanta. Just hearing his voice gave me b.u.t.terflies. I missed him when he was gone, but I knew it was good to spend some time away from one another, especially so early on. I was still reluctant to move too fast, but part of me couldn't help it. I was in love with him, and I wanted the whole world to know. I LOVE DRAKE MATTHEW STAGLIANO!!!!

"h.e.l.lo strangers! Glad you two could make it!" Travis walked up to me and gave me a tight squeeze.

"Hey you," I faked a smile. I was really hoping this wasn't going to be weird, but so far, I already felt weird. I told Drake we were meeting friends at the aquarium today, but he didn't know about Travis trying to take me to dinner beforehand. I didn't want any jealousy to fire up.

"Stella, this is Jacob. I want you to be polite and respectful; you hear?" I lowered my body down to her level so I could look her in the eyes. She wasn't always nice to other kids, especially boys, and I didn't want Travis thinking my child was a bully. Even though she kind of is.

"Come on Jacob, this way," Stella grabbed his hand and together they walked in front of us. They were so cute and innocent. Travis and I stayed back walking behind them making sure they enjoyed themselves.

"Your daughter is a mini version of you," he teased as we watched Stella boss Jacob around telling him where to go.

"Ha, Jacob doesn't seem to mind," I chuckled. That's what happens when you are an independent person, and you've never depended on anyone. Stella got that trait from me all right, and I was proud she did.

Travis and I followed behind Stella and Jacob for the next three hours. Their faces were elated the entire time pressing their hands up against everything and running from exhibit to exhibit. I was starting to wonder if they would ever run out of energy. I know I am.

Watching Stella jump around and play with Jacob brought back so many memories when it was just Stella and I. Right after Liam pa.s.sed away, my mom temporarily moved in with me in order to help me with being a new mom.

After a few weeks, my mom couldn't stand watching me cry every day and went back to her old routine. I stayed home with Stella for the next nine months taking care of her and looking into career options. Once I got accepted into Kendall, I dragged Michael with me, and off we went.

There were days I would scream into my pillow at the end of the day. Stella was walking by thirteen months and would get into everything. I could hardly study, cook, clean, or anything. I never imagined while I was pregnant that I'd be raising Stella alone. I always pictured our perfect little family with just the three of us. It wasn't until Stella was six months old that it finally sunk in that I'd be raising her on my own. I was a young, new mom with absolutely no idea what I was getting into.

"Are you two ready for some lunch?" I asked almost insisting.

After exploring the Caribbean reef and the Oceanarium where we saw dolphins, sea otters and sea lions, I needed to eat. The dolphins were Stella's favorite, so we decided to buy tickets to the Shedd aquatic show where the dolphins would put on a show.

"Hot dogs and chips?" I asked out loud seeing the limited variety. I looked down to a bouncing Stella. I loved seeing her so happy, even if I was a little uncomfortable myself.

"Molly, I found us a booth over here," Travis said motioning us over to him. The place was packed, and seating was limited.

Stella and Jacob ran into one side together leaving Travis and I to squeeze in on the other side. Great. I tried to act like it didn't bother me, but I was still worried about giving Travis the wrong impression.

After lunch, we took the kids to the Polar Play Zone to check out the penguins, belugas, and sea stars. It was amazing to watch Travis with his son. He was so engaged and playful with him. I always imagine what it would be like to watch Liam with Stella at this age. He would spoil her rotten for sure, but more importantly, he would have a blast watching her learn and grow. Stella was so fun to be with, and it was sad he was never going to have that with her. Deep down I hoped to find a man some day that would adopt Stella as his own. I hope Drake is that man.

"Mom, is it time for the dolphin show yet?" Stella looked up yanking on my sweater. I was distracted watching Travis with Jacob. He was holding him up for him to look inside the window at the moon jellies. I beamed at him envious that he was able to bond with his son like that.

"Yes darling, let's go to the show!" I waved at Travis for them to follow us and away we went.

Six hours later and we were finally done at the aquarium. The kids had an amazing time and were beyond exhausted. It was a nice change of pace spending time with another adult that also had a child.

"So can I ask you a personal question?" I asked Travis as we were waiting for our Chicago Style Pizza in a booth at one of the best pizzerias in town.

"Sure, what's on your mind?" he answered taking a sip of his soda.

"Where is Jacob's mom? I mean, you haven't really talked about her, so I wasn't sure if she was in the picture of not," I asked trying not to sound too nosey.

"She's a trauma nurse at the Children's Hospital. She works twelve-hour shifts every weekend so he stays with her Monday night through Thursday night and I get him every weekend. That way I can focus on my internship during the week, and she can work on the weekends. Works perfectly actually."

"So you two aren't together anymore?"

"No, we split when Jacob was only two. I was in my first year of school, and she was doing her clinicals. We just didn't make time for one another anymore and grew apart. We're very civil though for Jacob's sake," he replied matter-of-factly.

I couldn't imagine having to share custody with Stella. She was my baby, and I depended on her as much as she depended on me. A part of me ached for Travis not seeing his child as much as I got to see Stella. But in a perfect world, that wouldn't be an issue.

Travis and I could talk so easily like we had been friends for years. We had so much in common, and our goals were very similar. Although he wanted a romantic relationship in the beginning, it was starting to feel easy just being friends with him.

After our long day, I tucked Stella into bed and poured myself a gla.s.s of wine. I hadn't heard from Drake since earlier in the day, and I was starting to miss his voice. Before I could grab my phone to call him, my doorbell rang.

"Delivery for Ms. Molly Woods."

"Yes, that's me."

A deliveryman stood at my door and handed me a large decorated box. It was wrapped in pink paper with magenta ribbon twirled in the middle. A single stem rose lied on top. My eyes lit up as I realized Drake had sent me something special, again.

I thanked the man and rushed back to the table to open the box. Inside were a dozen beautifully decorated chocolate-covered strawberries. They looked like a masterpiece of heaven. Some were dipped in milk chocolate, and some were dipped in white chocolate. They were each decorated in the opposite color chocolate in swirls. They looked too good to eat.

Well, I'll eat them anyways.

I picked up my phone to call Drake to thank him a million times over. He answered on the second ring like he was surprised to hear from me.

"Baby! I'm so glad you called. I miss you so much," he gushed without taking a breath.

"I miss you too! Can't wait to see you... and thank you for my amazing and delicious gift," I said sensually putting a strawberry in my mouth.

"I'm glad you approve," he said in an obvious playful way. I wasn't used to receiving gifts from a man, or from anyone for that matter. Sometimes it was too much to accept, but I knew it was his way to make sure I knew he was thinking of me and loved me.

"When can I see you?" I asked hoping he'd come back sooner.

"I fly back tomorrow afternoon. I can be at your doorstep by 11pm sharp."

"Perfect. I'll have something special waiting for you," I said cheerfully.

"Can't wait baby. I love you. I'll see you tomorrow."

We hung up, and my heart raced with pure joy. It made me feel like a lovesick teenager again knowing that even when we weren't together, he was always thinking of me.

The next morning, Stella and I had a late breakfast and watched TV in our pajamas. It was days like these that I never wanted to take for granted. Stella would only be young once, and I wanted to take every opportunity to enjoy it while I could.

When Stella was two and a half, I took her to a bakery to get some cupcakes when she slipped from my view. I panicked and started looking everywhere for her. I stood in the middle of the shop, shaking and sweating at the realization that Stella was missing.

"Ma'am? Are you alright?" a woman's voice echoed as I swung around searching for her.

"Stella! She's gone!" I shouted. "Stella!"

"Ma'am? She's back here." I ran to the back where the woman was pointing. Crouched in a ball under the counter, little Stella was laughing playing a game of hide-n-seek. I about died. I exhaled in relief but also in frustration knowing that these were the types of things I was going to have to endure with her alone.

"Mommy, someone is at the door! He's holding flowers," Stella yelled as I was still in the kitchen cleaning up.

I walked over to where she was and noticed a beautiful flower arrangement in a short vase with little stones at the bottom. It had a combination of a few pink roses, white hydrangeas, and green flowers. It was absolutely breathtaking.

I smiled as I took the flowers into the kitchen and set them on the island so I could admire them. My heart filled with love and pa.s.sion. Just when I already thought Drake was amazing, he goes and exceeds all my expectations.

I decided to call him again before he got on his plane to head back. Just as the phone was ringing, I noticed the card. c.r.a.p. I quickly hung up the call as I soon realized these flowers were not from Drake.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

That night I decided to wear nothing but my panties so that when Drake arrived, I could give him his surprise thank you present right away. I couldn't wait to see him. Two long days without him was torture. Pure torture.