Chapter 4

"I'm just saying," Chloe remarks, casually shrugging as she transfers an omelet onto a plate. "It's definitely a red flag if a guy doesn't want to meet her friends and family. Seriously, who is this Jaxon guy, anyway?"

I freeze on the stairs, just three steps from the kitchen, holding my breath in hopes of catching more of what Chloe and Dad really think.

"I'm just saying," Dad replies, shrugging in his chair at the table. "You should trust Molly a bit more. She's a smart girl." He turns to me, locking eyes. "Aren't you, kid?"

I frown, feeling embarrassed to have been overhearing their conversation. I descend the last few steps into the kitchen and plant a kiss on Dad's cheek before taking a seat next to him. "I’m smart, but I’m not a kid anymore. Maybe it’s time to change that nickname."

"Never," he replies, smiling at me. "You'll always be my kiddo."

Chloe sets a plate of eggs in front of me, giving my head a playful pat. Even though we’re not related by blood, she treats me just like a typical condescending big sister would. I moved in with John and Chloe when John married my mom.

Even after Mom passed away in a car accident just two years after the wedding—something Dad told me—John has never given me a reason to see him as anything other than my dad. I care for him just as deeply as I would for any family member. I have no memories of my biological dad and no clue where he might be.

"So, what is it about this guy?" Chloe asks, getting comfortable in her chair across from me. She's always eager to discuss boys. "There has to be something special about him, especially since you've never referred to anyone as your boyfriend before."

I feel my cheeks heat up. She’s right, but they don’t know that my first relationship has already ended in disaster. I’ll come up with a story in a week or two.

"Well, he’s really sweet to me," I say, picking up my fork and digging into my eggs. "He’s not like the other boys I’ve met. They’re always so loud and annoying. Jaxon is… different. A true gentleman," I add with a small smile.

And as gay as the day is long, I can’t help but think to myself. The smile fades from my face. But how did Chloe find out? Did she go through my phone? I decide not to ask. I quickly finish my eggs, eager to escape the conversation.

“He’s…gentle?” Chloe inquires, raising an eyebrow with a skeptical tone. I glance up at her, confused, and nod. She bursts into laughter. “Oh, poor Molly!”

I set my fork down and sat up straight. “What? What’s wrong with that?”

"What, does he only handle you with kid gloves? Take you on little outings around town?" Her tone drips with sarcasm as if these are all negative things. "Discuss books with you?"

"Yes?" I reply, furrowing my brows and feeling a surge of irritation. "What's wrong with that?!"

“Molly!” she exclaims, leaning in with a laugh. “Come on, don’t you want a guy who gets your heart racing? Not just someone who gives you a quick peck on the cheek, but someone who sweeps you off your feet and makes you want to—”

“Alright, alright,” Dad interjects slowly, raising his hands between us. A good-natured smile spreads across his face. “That’s a bit more than a dad needs to hear.”

Chloe chuckles, taking another bite of her eggs. "Alright, touché, Dad, but still. Molly, sweetheart," she says, looking at me with concern. "Are you sure this guy isn't gay?"

Heat rushes to my face, and I glance down at my plate, mortified. How on earth did she figure that out?!

"Oh my god," she leans in, her curiosity piqued. "Is he?!"

"No!" I exclaim, jabbing my fork into my eggs. "He’s—"

But whatever I was about to say gets completely overshadowed by Chloe's booming laughter.

"Come on, Chloe," Dad says after a moment, his tone turning serious. "I’m sure this Jaxon is a decent guy." He glances at me, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "As she mentioned, he's just being a gentleman."

"Alright, alright," Chloe laughs, dabbing at her tears of joy. "I just want the best for our Molly baby! You deserve passion in your relationship, along with respect and... book discussions, or whatever it is you do." She shrugs playfully.

"I'm really happy," I reply softly, hastily finishing my eggs.

"Come to the club with me," Chloe says, reaching out to take my hand. I can see that she’s making an effort to patch things up. “I’m not working tonight, so let’s go have some fun! We’ll get free drinks, and you can meet the girls!”

I glance up at her, hesitating. I care about Chloe, but our lives are worlds apart. While I’ve spent my time in school and coffee shops, Chloe has embraced the nightlife, working as a stripper at upscale clubs. Not the sleazy kind, but places that treat her work as a form of art. She's incredibly talented and earns a lot of money.

"Come onnnn," she whines playfully. "We'll help you connect with your body and get your blood pumping." She starts dancing in her chair, showcasing some of her moves and finishes with a sultry flick of her long purple hair.

I chuckle. Chloe's vibrant personality makes it impossible not to want to join her on any adventure. "I'll think about it," I reply, finishing my meal. "But I have some work to do—"

"Work work," she interrupts, rolling her eyes as she gathers up our plates. "You really need to lighten up. Have some fun, babe!"

I give her an exaggerated eye roll and pat Dad on the shoulder as I make my way into the living room. He picks up his newspaper, already focused on the sports section.

When Chloe first embarked on her career, I couldn't help but wonder if it bothered Dad. But he simply said that there was no stopping Chloe from pursuing what she wanted, so he might as well support her. "Besides," he had added, "as long as she respects herself, why should I care if she dances in a thong or a tutu? Let her find her happiness."

I smile at the memory, feeling grateful once more for having such a wonderful dad.

In the living room, I power up my laptop and navigate to a search engine. Chloe's suggestion to connect more with my body and instincts lingers in my mind. My cheeks flush as I find myself, somewhat inexplicably, typing "Ferraro Mendoza" into the search bar.

The results caught me off guard. The news channel Dad tunes into every night labels Ferraro as the Mafia King, constantly reporting on his shady activities. Yet the sites I’m browsing depict him standing in front of a tech company in Silicon Valley, making a statement.

Another site features glowing reviews of his various businesses, with employees claiming he’s an excellent boss. And then there’s this photo… wait, is that Arlo Smith he’s shaking hands with?

I gather my hair in my hands, absentmindedly starting to braid it as I sift through the results, trying to reconcile this image with the ruthless man I encountered in prison the other day.

“What are you looking at?” Chloe asks, plopping down on the couch and snatching the laptop from my hands.

“Hey!” I exclaim, reaching for it. “Chloe, give it back!”

“Ooh,” she replies, scrolling through the photos of Ferraro on the page. “Now this is a guy who could definitely spark some interest,” she says, nodding in approval. “Who is he?”

“Ferraro Mendoza,” I say, pulling my knees to my chest. “I had to interview him at the prison the other day. He was… unsettling.”

Chloe glances over at me, contemplating. “Did he scare you?”

I shrug. “A little.”

She narrows her eyes slightly and snaps my laptop shut. “Alright, that’s enough. You’re coming out with me tonight, baby Molly,” she declares, crossing the couch to pull me into a big hug. “You’ve had a tough week with your gay boyfriend and that intimidating Mafia King. It’s time for some fun!”

I chuckle, allowing her to envelop me. “Okay, okay! Fine, I’ll go.”

Little did I know how much these different aspects of my life would collide in just a few hours.