level。
It was all like a fairy tale； with Hollis as her indie prince。 He hadn’t even told her how expensive it was； assuring Vanessa that her tiny contribution to the rent from her student job working in the digital film archives at school would more than cover her share。
At first； Vanessa had protested。 It felt so terribly cliché。 She was practically a kept woman！ Although it wasn’t her fault Hollis’s film Between the B and the A； a ing…of…age story about a twenty…one…year…old’s spiritual journey； had been the darling at Sundance and a surprise indie hit the summer before。 It was pretty obvious he wasn’t exactly living off a TA salary anymore。 And Hollis had countered Vanessa’s protests by explaining that his success was her success and vice versa。 They were a team。 Even though it was sort of corny； she couldn’t help but swoon a little。
She wandered over to the large arching windows； where she could just make out the East River rushing by in the distance。 She could hear Williamsburg denizens on the sidewalk below； just getting started on their New Year’s Eve festivities。 Vanessa was happy she and Hollis weren’t going out。
There are plenty of ways to have fun staying in。
Hollis hoisted himself up from the couch and wrapped his strong； lean arms around her。 Vanessa smiled and leaned back into him； feeling safe and protected。 Before Hollis； she’d always been a teenager dating other teenagers。 Even when she and Dan were serious； it had always felt to her like they were still so young； still so unformed。 But now； Vanessa felt like an adult。 And she was surprised by how much she liked that feeling。
“What are you thinking？” Hollis murmured in her ear。
“That I’m happy。” Vanessa tilted her chin up to kiss him； enjoying the way hi