For the next few weeks Spencer and Molly continued to hang out with one another whenever Spencer wasn't on a case. Molly had finally gotten a job at a mom and pop florist, so she was able to slowly furnish her house. One afternoon as Spencer arrived home from a case, he heard banging coming from Molly's apartment. He dropped his go bag on the floor, walked over and knocked on the door. He heard the banging stop and the door unlocking. The door opened to a messy haired Molly. She pushed her hair away from her face and smiled.
"Hey stranger, when did you get back?" she asked.
"Just a minute ago, what in the world are you doing?" he said trying to peer over her.
She pushed the door back further so he could see.
"I'm building a desk," she said. "And in a minute I'm going to turn it into firewood."
Spencer laughed at her exasperation.
"I'm not exactly a handy man, but would you like some help?" he offered.
"You just got home from a case. You should be enjoying some peace and quiet," she said.
"It was a long flight. I slept on the plane. Let me go change and I'll come help you," he said walking towards his apartment.
"Alright. I'll leave the door unlocked. Just come in," she said.
Five minutes later, Spencer walked into Molly's house. He was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt underneath a red and black plaid unbuttoned shirt.
"So where are you at?" he asked as he took a seat on the wooden floor next to her.
Molly handed him the instructions and sighed.
"Step 3. It says to put these two screw thingy's into these two holes, but they don't line up with the holes over here," she said in frustration.
Spencer grabbed the board from her and began testing different screws.
"It looks like they did a poor job of drilling holes," Spencer said as he lined up the shelf with the side. "I don't suppose you have a drill."
"I didn't even have a hammer," Molly said making Spencer chuckle.
"Hang on, I'll be right back."
Spencer disappeared from the apartment, so Molly used this time to make them each something to drink. She went into the kitchen and poured two glasses of Pink Lemonade. When she got back into the living room, Spencer had returned holding a yellow drill.
"Mr. Brickerstein is always fixing things," Spencer said as he sat down and began drilling a new hole.
Roughly an hour later, the desk was finally finished. Spencer and Molly still sat on the wooden floor sipping at their drinks. By this time they were both sweating from the hard work. Spencer had taken off his plaid shirt, while Molly had changed from her long sleeved shirt to a white tank top.
"That was a lot of hard work. Well done Dr. Reid," Molly said as she placed her empty glass next to her.
"I must say I even impressed myself," Spencer joked.
"I'm starving. I cannot wait for that pizza to get here," Molly said standing up to stretch.
She turned to help Spencer off the floor. It was then that he noticed she was not wearing a bra underneath her tank top. He felt his cheeks blush as he stood in front of her. The electricity that sparked between their bodies was noticeable. Spencer licked his lips nervously as he wondered if he should kiss her. Suddenly Molly backed away and began picking the tools up off the floor. Spencer didn't know what to make of it. He felt sort of embarrassed and a little … no a lot confused. As a profiler he was always good at reading other people. He clearly saw the desire in Molly's eyes. He could feel the connection between them. Yet, something was holding her back. Something kept her from giving in to that feeling.
(xxxxx)
Spencer helped Molly clean up from dinner. Their dinner conversation was fun as usual. No signs of the awkward moment they shared earlier. Molly wrapped the individual slices of pizza in tin foil when Spencer turned to her.
"Do you like me?" he suddenly blurted.
"What?" she asked looking up from the pizza.
Spencer felt his face burning. "Do you … like me?" he said again.
"Of course I like you Spence," she smiled.
"Not like that," he said rubbing his neck nervously. "I mean … more than that."
Molly could practically see his heart beating. She knew this was hard for him to say. She was surprised by his boldness. In the little time she'd known him, she knew he was the shy and quiet type. She turned to face him slowly and took a deep breath.
"I … Spence … I like you, I do, but we can't," she said folded her arms around her stomach and dropped her eyes to the floor.
"I understand. Um … I'm gonna go ahead and head out," he said.
She could hear his broken voice. She lifted her head and followed him.
"Spencer wait. It's not what you think," she called after him.
"Molly, you don't need to explain. I'll see you around."
With that he was out the door and into his own apartment before Molly could fully grasp what was happening. She shut her apartment door and banged her head against it as tears filled her eyes. She should have never gotten this close to him.
(xxxxx)
Spencer miserably finished getting ready for work. He was embarrassed that he opened up like that to Molly. He had a good friend and he went and ruined. All because his stupid body was telling him that it wanted more from her. More than what she was willing to give. Of course she wouldn't be interested in him. He knew he had nothing to offer in the romance department. Before leaving the house he walked over to the book shelf and pulled out The Narration of John Smith.
"I miss you," he whispered. "You were the only person who loved me for who I was. I'm sorry I never got a chance to show you how much you meant to me."
He opened his bag and stuck the book inside before heading to the front door. He started to lock his door, when he saw Molly exiting her apartment.
"Hey Spence," she said.
"Hi," he muttered as he turned to walk off.
"Wait up," she called after him.
He continued to walk down the stairs ignoring her request.
"Spencer, I want to talk about last night," she said trying to catch up with him.
"There's nothing to talk about. I misread the situation and I'm sorry," he said as he reached the door to the complex.
"I like you Spencer. I enjoy spending time with you. Can't we just be friends? Can't that be enough?" she asked sounding like she could cry.
Spencer stopped at his car and finally turned to look at her. Her baby blue eyes were shimmering with the unshed tears. He felt his heart melt a little, but then through his guard back up.
"I've gotta go."
With that he climbed into his car and drove away. Molly stood watching him go as a few tears escaped. If only he knew this was for his own good.