Molly was starting to fall quickly for Chase. It had started as a mere crush, but the more she got to know him, the more she liked him. Molly also knew that she had some competition in Maya, Maya had made that clear. Maya would often be in the bar, since she lived with her parents in the Inn that housed the bar. It had been a week since they'd walked to work together, and she hadn't had an opportunity to be alone with him since. Tonight Maya was sitting at the bar flirting heavily with Chase.

"Oh Chasey," Maya cooed out. "Can't you give me just a taste." Chase was working on his famous cheese risotto that night. Molly smirked she knew how much Chase detested being called by that name. Maya had a lot to learn when it came to wooing Chase, but that worked to her advantage.

"If you want some, order some," Chase responded gruffly.

"Hmph." Maya pouted. "Pulease?" Chase turned and gave the strawberry blonde a look Molly had never seen on the cook's beautiful face. He was clearly annoyed. Molly it down on her lip to avoid smirking again. She turned away from both of them.

"No." Chase turned back around to the stove. If Maya continued to act like this the competition would be pretty much over. Maya, however, did have some advantages over Molly, and that was her height. Maya was easily five foot ten, and had long skinny legs which were barely covered by pink dress she was wearing. She was also older than Molly. The age difference between herself and Chase was not lost on the handsome chef. She knew it.

"Do you think she could get any more obvious?" Luna asked, her bright pink hair bobbing as she shook her head. Molly turned to her friend.

"Who? Maya?" Molly asked.

"Yeah, I mean she might as well just hurl her body at his..." Luna turned to Molly then smirked. "Although I think his interest lies elsewhere." Molly smiled feeling a faint blush come to her cheeks.

"Don't I wish," Molly mumbled. Luna giggled.

"So Grandma says you're coming over for Sunday dinner tomorrow," Maya said coyly. Molly tried her best to ignore the conversation, but still found herself straining to listen, Luna rolled her eyes.

"Yes, she's teaching me how to make her bouillabaisse," Chase replied shortly.

"Oh! you're going to be making Sunday Dinner for my family! How lovely!" Maya sent a brilliant smile to him when he turned back around. He caught Molly's gaze, Molly smirked at him, causing a scowl to come over his beautiful face. Molly didn't worry too much, she had slowly began to learn his facial expressions. That was not a look of anger towards her, just at what she was implying. She would firmly root herself in friendship with Chase first. That was her plan, she would let him see the differences between her and Maya. Hopefully that would help win him over. Chase was someone who did not like to feel like he was rushed. He liked to move at his own pace, more importantly, Chase liked to be the pursuer, not the other way around.

"How lovely!" Luna said in a mocking tone, then was completely distracted when Gill walked into the bar. Molly shook her head, and moved into the kitchen to go grab some of the risotto that Mayor Hamilton had ordered. She could feel Maya's eyes watching her as she stepped towards the stove. Maya was not allowed in the kitchen area, but Molly worked at the bar so she was. Molly leaned close to Chase.

"You really going to have dinner with the Ericsons?" She whispered softly. While Chase liked Jake, Maya's father, he felt that Colleen often acted very entitled, and they spoiled Maya way too much.

"Yeah," Chase sighed.

"Have fun with that," Molly quipped. "By the way can you dish up some of that for Mayor Hamilton. He came in especially tonight because he knew you were cooking it." Chase dished up some of the risotto, adding some extra grated parmesan cheese on top, knowing that it was just the way the mayor liked it. Molly grabbed the dish, letting her fingers graze ever so lightly over his when she did. She watched his body stiffen slightly, then he turned back around to the stove. She glanced at Maya who was frowning.

"So Chasey, do you think you'll stay long enough to play chess again on Sunday?" Maya asked.

"Probably not," Chase muttered. Molly shook her head. As far as she was concerned, she'd already won that round.

XxXx

Molly stood with her toes in the water of the spring near Caramel Falls, her shoes were dangling from her left hand. It had been a long shift at the bar, and Chase had suggested they go out to Caramel Falls. He often liked to do this when the night had been particularly stressful, the sounds of the waterfall soothed him. Molly had been delighted when he had invited her. She lifted her face to the soft wind, and allowed it to blow her hair back. She had finally been able to take it down from the ponytail she wore all night. Chase sighed next to her .

"Nothing like Caramel Falls to wash away the stress," Chase said. It was always a busy day on Saturday night, and especially since this Saturday Chase had made his risotto.

"Yeah it's pretty soothing," Molly said. She looked up at the sky, without a cloud in the sky, she could see countless of twinkling stars, and the moon brightly lit everything in a silvery sheen. This was not something she would have ever been able to experience in the city. It really was enjoyable being in the country, although she had a suspicion that a large part of that was due to the handsome man standing next to her. Chase all of the sudden dove into the spring. The splashing caused Molly to gasp, the water was much cooler than it felt on her feet. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"Taking a swim, it just felt like it would be fun. You going to join me?" He asked.

"But you're fully clothed, and so am I," Molly protested for a moment, knowing that her resolve would not last long.

"Aw come on." He had an almost impish smile on his face.

Molly smiled, set her shoes on the ground, and slowly walked into the spring to where Chase was standing, it came up to his mid chest, and nearly covered her shoulders. Her hair splayed out in the water, the moonlight making it look almost silvery. Chase's arm reached around her and drew her closer to him. She shivered. So much for being just his friend, she mused to herself.

"Are you cold?" he asked. Molly shook her head, unable to form a sentence at the moment. Molly looked up at him and suddenly he moved back away from her. She stood stunned for a moment.

"What are you doing?" She asked. Chase raked his hands through his hair sighing in frustration.

"I shouldn't... We shouldn't be doing this. I mean for Goddess' sake Molly I am five years older than you." Molly merely smiled walking closer to him.

"I don't mind the age difference," she said staring up into his violet eyes. She stood inches away from him, but knowing better than to make the move to embrace him again.

"Goddess Molly you are gorgeous, do you know that?" Chase asked. Molly felt a warm heat come to her face. She was blushing! She very rarely blushed, but then again she had never had anyone look at her the way Chase was looking at her and call her gorgeous. "I've thought that from the very first night I saw you." Molly continued to look at Chase, he was struggling with himself and his feelings. "But I don't think this is a good idea."

"Chase," Molly said finally. She paused trying to put her words together carefully. "This doesn't have to be anything more than what it is at this moment. Why don't we just take things slowly and see where it goes?" Chase's answer was to draw her close to him again. They stood there in the moonlight in a sweet embrace.