When Morning Comes Around (Summer Lake Silver #13)

Chapter Twenty

“And what about Josh? Is he going to come and visit?” Terry asked.

“He says he will. I don’t know when, though,” said Sadie. She leaned back in her chair and smiled at her two friends. “I’m glad we finally managed to get together like this.”

“Me too,” said Nina. “It took us long enough. You’ve been home for a while now.”

“Yeah, but we’re all busy. That’s the way it goes.”

Terry narrowed her eyes at her. “I waited while we ate, thinking that you’d have to spill at some point, but since you haven’t, I’m just going to come right out and ask.”

Sadie chuckled. She knew what was coming. “Go ahead, ask away.”

“You said that we’re all busy. I want to know what you’ve been so busy with.”

“Or who,” added Nina.

“Oh, come on, there’s no way you don’t already know. I know how gossip works around here.”

Terry laughed. “Exactly. You know damn well that you can’t keep a secret, so why don’t you tell us what’s going on with Dominic?”

“I wasn’t trying to keep it secret.”

“So, tell us already,” said Nina. “I wasn’t sure about him. No, that sounds wrong. I knew he was a great guy, but I thought he was going to be the one who stayed single. Of all the guys who have moved to town these last few years, I thought that he would be the one.”

Terry laughed. “We thought that about a few of them. Dalton was so grouchy we didn’t think anyone would be able to put up with him. Lucky was so shut down that we didn’t think anyone would get through to him.”

“I know, but Dominic’s different. At least, his circumstances are different.” Nina shot Sadie an apologetic look. “He lost his wife.”

“However things were for him before Sadie came home, they’ve changed now. Isn’t that right, lady?” Terry grinned at Sadie.

She had to laugh. “Alright! Yes, we’ve been spending time together. He’s wonderful.”

“He’s hot!” said Terry.

“Hot and sweet,” added Nina.

“You make him sound like a dessert!” Sadie said with a laugh.

Terry waggled her eyebrows. “Have you had him for dessert yet?”

She rolled her eyes, but didn’t answer.

“Is that a no?” Terry asked.

“Leave her alone,” said Nina. “It’s none of our business.”

“Isn’t it? Is she right?” Terry asked Sadie. “It used to be that we shared everything. Has that changed? I didn’t think so.” She looked thoughtful as she added, “But I’m sorry if…”

“No! Don’t apologize. I appreciate it, Nina, but Terry’s right. I want to get back to the way things were between us. I don’t want to put distance between us just because I’ve been away all this time or because we’re older now.”

“Good,” said Terry. “So, back to my question…”

Sadie laughed as Nina shook her head. “No, sadly, I haven’t had him for dessert yet, but I’m hoping that will change very soon.”

“What’s taking you so long?”

She rolled her eyes. “Think about it. I’m staying with Dad, and he’s sharing Damon’s house with Jake.”

“Oh, of course.” Nina gave her a sympathetic look.

“I still don’t get it,” said Terry. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

Sadie laughed. “Maybe it’s just me then – but no, he feels the same way.”

“About what?” Terry asked. “Seriously, you’re going to have to tell me, because I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I don’t feel comfortable inviting him to spend the night with me at Dad’s place. He doesn’t feel comfortable – or maybe that’s not true, maybe he just thinks that I wouldn’t be comfortable spending the night at his place with Jake on the other side of a thin bedroom wall.”

“Oh! Crap. It didn’t even register with me what you were talking about.”

“That’s okay. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe you didn’t understand what I meant because it wouldn’t bother you.”

“No, I get it.” Terry smiled. “When Cal and I first started seeing each other, I felt like a kid again at first. Elle and Skye were staying with me, so I couldn’t bring him home. Our first few dates ended with kisses on my doorstep. So yeah, I get it. But he had his own place. It didn’t take long for me to start staying over there. What are you going to do?”

She wasn’t sure that she wanted to tell them. Not because she didn’t want to share with them like they used to, but because she didn’t want to share Dom’s business.

Nina smiled at her. “You’ll figure it out in your own time, won’t you?”

“We will, I think we already have, but…”

“But the two of you need time to get used to things, and used to each other, before you go sharing with anyone else,” said Terry. “So, I’ll shut up for now, shall I?”

“No, you don’t need to shut up. Let’s just change the subject.”

“Okay, but it’s not a total change. Are you guys going to come to The Boathouse with everyone on Friday night?”

Sadie shrugged. “I don’t know. What’s going on?”

“Just a regular get together,” said Nina. “We don’t do it every weekend but more often than not, Friday night is when we all have dinner together. Sometimes we come over to Taryn’s restaurant. Sometimes we go to The Boathouse. This week, it’s The Boathouse. You guys should come.”

“I’ll ask if he wants to.”

“Good,” said Terry. “I’m excited to see the two of you together.”

Sadie smiled. She was excited by the idea of going out with Dom with everyone else.

“You need to start building your social life back up,” said Nina. “You used to be the life and soul of the party.”

She nodded. She didn’t want to explain that she hadn’t even been to a party in years. She shifted in her seat. From what she’d seen, Dom didn’t seem like a social animal. So far, their relationship had been kind of domestic. She just hoped that he’d be up for going out sometimes. She enjoyed his company, but…

Terry grinned at her. “You and Dom are a good match.”

She gave her a puzzled look. “What do you mean? In what way?”

“You know – life and soul of the party.”

She gave her friend a puzzled smile. She wouldn’t have described him that way, but then again, she doubted that he thought of her that way, either. They were still getting to know each other, but from Terry’s comment, it seemed that she still had more to learn than she’d realized.

“Are you seeing him tonight?”

“No, he’s working.”

“He tends bar in the restaurant for Taryn, doesn’t he?”

“He does.”

Terry gave her a puzzled smile. “The restaurant that’s just across the way from where we’re sitting right now?”

Sadie laughed. “Yes, why?”

Terry rolled her eyes. “And you’re not going in to see him? Not even for a little while before you go home to your dad?”

“No. We didn’t arrange anything. I told him that I was meeting up with the two of you. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”

“And you don’t plan to pop in and see him even for a minute?”

“Nope.” They were both staring at her. “What?”

“Why not?” Terry asked.

She shrugged.

“Come on, I remember that look,” said Nina. “There’s something you’re not telling us.”

She bit down on her bottom lip.

“Don’t drag it out,” said Terry. “I’m going to have to leave soon, and I need to know what your problem is. I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t you go in and see him?”

She blew out a sigh. “I guess you could call it a hang up.”

“About what?” Nina asked.

“I told you about Dale.”

“Yeah, but what’s he got to do with Dominic?”

“Probably nothing. It’s just that the last time I dropped in on a man unexpectedly, I didn’t like what I found.”

“Pft!” Terry waved a hand at her. “Dom’s hardly likely to be messing around with another woman. I mean, he’s at work for one thing. And from what Cal told me, the man’s head over heels in love with you. I get that you might be gun-shy after what happened with Dale, but now, I think you should definitely pop in to see him when we leave here.”

Sadie’s shoulders sagged. “I know. I don’t really think that he’d… But it feels a bit presumptuous, too.”

Nina shook her head. “Nope. It’s totally up to you what you want to do, but I’ll give you my two cents: when Manny and I first got together, I realized after a while that I was making him do all the running because I was unsure of… Both of us, I guess. I was unsure of myself, and of him. You need to get over that, Sadie. I’ll come in with you if you want.”

Sadie checked her watch. “I could just go in and say hi, couldn’t I?”

“You could, and you should,” said Terry. “If I didn’t have to get home, I’d march you in there.”

Sadie laughed. “Okay. Maybe I should text him first?”

They both shook their heads. “He’s working, and apart from that, you’re just trying to give yourself a way out.”

“I’m not! I was going to text him to say that I’ll stop by.”

“I don’t mean a way out of going in there. You know exactly what I mean – you think that if you give him a heads up, you’re less likely to walk in on something you don’t want to see.”

“I really don’t think that he’d…”

“Stop arguing about it, and just go see the man,” said Terry. “And you can tell me what happened when you both come out with us all on Friday night.”

~ ~ ~

After the first wave of customers had migrated from the bar to their tables for dinner, and things were a little quieter, Taryn came to stand next to Dom behind the bar.

“What’s the deal with the house, then?”

He grinned. “I can pick up the keys on Friday.”

“And when do you think you’ll move in?”

He laughed. “Friday afternoon.”

“Seriously? Do you have furniture?”

“It’s partially furnished. What’s in there isn’t exactly to my taste, but there’s enough that I can make do for now. There’s a bed, and a sofa. I’ll head to the mall on Friday morning and pick up essentials for the kitchen and whatever else it takes to make the place liveable for now.”

Taryn smiled. “I’m happy for you. When you first came to the lake, I didn’t know if you’d stick around.” She made a face at him. “I’m not thrilled that I’ll only have you in here one night a week going forward, but it’s better than nothing. And since you’re cutting back because of Sadie, I’ll forgive you.”

He chuckled. “Thanks.”

“Mind if I ask you something?”

He smiled through pursed lips. “I don’t mind if you ask, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I’ll answer.”

She slapped his arm. “You know me too well.”

“Yep.”

“When’s Sadie going to move in with you?”

He bit the inside of his cheek. Of course he was hoping that she would, she’d been open to the idea when they talked about it, but it was far from a done deal.

“Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to answer, it’s just that I don’t know. I hope it’ll be soon. If it were up to me, I’d say Friday. But it’s not that straightforward for her.”

“Why not?”

“You know why not. She’s staying at her dad’s place; she wants to make sure that he’s back on his feet properly before she leaves him by himself. And besides, it hasn’t been all that long since her marriage ended.”

Taryn gave him a puzzled look. “Are you worried that you might be her rebound guy?”

He chuckled. “I wasn’t, not until you just said that.”

Taryn grinned. “I guarantee you that’s not the case.”

He turned to her, but she wasn’t looking at him, she was watching the entrance to the restaurant, and her grin widened.

“Did you know she was coming in?”

He started to ask what she meant, but following her gaze, he saw for himself. Sadie had just walked in with Nina.

Taryn waved at them, and Nina waved back. Sadie looked hesitant as she met his gaze. He didn’t understand it. For a moment, he panicked, wondering if she was coming to tell him something that he didn’t want to hear.

“I’ll get Nina a drink, you take your break,” Taryn told him.

“I…”

Taryn pushed at his arm. “Go! Go see your girl. She looks nervous as hell. Go reassure her – whatever it’s about. And take your time. I can handle the bar.”

“Hey, ladies,” Taryn greeted them when they reached the bar. “What are you having, Nina?” She smiled at Sadie. “I’m not asking you what you want to drink because you can have some Dom instead.”

He shook his head at Taryn before hurrying to the end of the bar. When he let himself out, Sadie was staring at him. He held his hand out to her. “Do you want to come on my break with me?”

She glanced back at Taryn and Nina. They both grinned and nodded.

When she reached him, he took her hand and led her down the hallway at the side of the kitchen.

“I hope this is okay…”

When they reached the back door, he leaned against the wall and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her to him.

“This is fantastic. It’s a surprise, a great one.”

He could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

“Is everything okay?”

She nodded and relaxed against him. “It is. Thanks, Dom.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “For what?”

She gave him a sheepish smile. “You know I had an early dinner with Nina and Terry? They wanted to know why I wasn’t coming in to see you while I was over here.”

He gave her a puzzled smile. “I wondered the same thing, but I figured it was because you wanted to get back to your dad.”

She shrugged. “I do need to get home to him, I’m not staying. It’s just… I’ll probably sound stupid, but here goes… They suggested that I should pop in and see you, and it made me nervous.”

“Nervous about seeing me?”

She sighed. “No. Not really. I…”

His heart sank when he guessed what she meant. “You were worried? About what I might be up to?”

She buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t… I didn’t think that you’d…”

He tightened his arms around her. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Sadie. I get it. After Dale…”

She nodded but didn’t lift her head.

He stroked her hair. “It’s okay. I can see how what happened to you would do a number on you. You can trust me. I think you know that – I hope you know that. But words aren’t always enough. You need to feel it, you need to live the proof a couple of times before it’ll sink in.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

He kissed the top of her head. “It’s okay, I know.”

He smiled when she finally looked up into his eyes. “I promise you, it’s okay. After what you’ve been through, you need some reassurance. I’m happy to give you that.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for being honest about it. If we talk about things, we’ll be able to work our way through them.”

“I know, it might take me a little time to get used to it, but I know.”

“Did you enjoy yourself with your friends?”

She smiled. “Is that it? You forgive me, and we can move on?”

He chuckled. “There’s nothing to forgive, and I know that we don’t have long. So, why not move on?”

She tightened her arms around his waist. “I was thinking that I should replace my minivan as soon as I get my finances sorted out. But I’m having second thoughts. I feel like I should keep it forever.”

He gave her a puzzled smile, not sure why she was talking about the minivan right now.

She laughed. “Damn! I sound like a crazy woman again, don’t I? I’m not just going off on a totally unrelated tangent, I promise. I’ve never been particularly fond of that minivan; I bought it for practical reasons for the business. Now, I couldn’t be more grateful to it because if it hadn’t broken down on the hill that night, we wouldn’t be standing here. We might never have met.”

He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and captured her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss. He didn’t know how long it lasted; all he knew was that he didn’t want it to end. When he finally lifted his head, he had to lean back in and brush his lips over hers again.

“We would have met somehow. I know we would. Life has a way of leading you where you’re meant to be – even if the journey isn’t what you expected.”

“Aww. That’s lovely.”

He shrugged. “I believe it’s true. I never would have expected to end up here in Summer Lake. I didn’t think I’d ever want to meet someone new. And you, it’s not that long since you were still living your old life, still in a marriage that didn’t make you happy. And yet, we’ve ended up where we’re meant to be – together.”

Her arms tightened around his waist, and tears shone in her eyes as she looked up at him. “Whether it was fate or a minivan that got us here, I’ll always be grateful.”