Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
M y parents disowning me made official what had been my unspoken reality since I’d left for college. Still, I clenched my hands into fists and fought nausea.
“You look gorgeous,” Dominic said, holding his arms open when I met him in the driveway. “I’m disappointed. I thought I was going to see messy Kelsey.”
“Maybe next time.” I stared at him, putting my hands on his arms. “Is this our date then? From the auction.”
He tugged me against him, and my arms wrapped around his waist. “No. This is the casual prequel.”
I closed my eyes and held onto him, inhaling his woodsy cologne. He ran a hand up and down my back. How had this man appeared in my life—right when it was falling apart?
“What sounds good for dinner?” He rested his chin on my head. “Name it, and it’s yours.”
Huffing, I held him tighter. “I don’t think I can eat?—”
“Yes. And I’m hungry.”
“You pick then.”
His fingers ran through my hair. “Something with seafood.”
I tried to muster the will to pull away from him. “Thai food. It isn’t fancy, though…” Why is it like this with him? As if I’d known him forever.
He chuckled. “Modest and frugal. Well, spoiling you is going to be a challenge.”
“You’re unreal.” Unfathomable. A mystery. Possibly leading me on…
“Should I pinch you?”
“Maybe later.”
“Yes.”
Finally, I stepped back and smoothed out my caramel trench. Having the soft wool on, instead of disguising myself in one of Maria’s old jackets, was like reclaiming something—the worst had happened. Maybe I was done hiding from Gerry. Ha .
Dominic put a finger under my chin. I stared up into his dark eyes. The garage floodlights cast severe shadows over the angles of his face. “Trust me.”
The oddest thing was, I probably did. I raised my eyebrows. “I…want to know more about you.”
His face seemed to shutter. “Let’s go to dinner.” He took my hand, and we walked to his car.
We were both quiet as he held my door for me. His electric car came to life with a soft jingle. After he put the restaurant address into the navigation system, we rolled forward almost silently.
“My ex-wife cheated on me with my best friend.”
I gasped, hunching forward.
“I found them. It was the same day my parents…died in a small plane accident.”
“Oh, sweet Jesus. I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine…”
He nodded. “That was two years ago.”
I exhaled, patting my chest. “Wow.”
“Now you know. I was married for four years. I don’t want to talk about it more.”
“Right. Thank you for telling me.”
He nodded, scowling.
I stared out the window, pulling on my necklace. He’ll never recover from something like that—especially with a pushover like you.
“Did Sagan cheat, that you know of?”
I glanced at him. “Gerry…was surprisingly loyal. His porn addiction became worse over time. The way he went about it felt like cheating.”
Dominic nodded.
Resting on my side, I watched him drive. “How’s Ophelia?”
“Struggling with an infection. And possibly pneumonia.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“She told me she’s determined to live until someone has a baby.”
I smiled. “I believe her.”
He parked, and we went into the restaurant, a converted old Victorian home painted in vivid shades of red. We both ordered seafood Pad Thai with medium spice and hot tea.
Dominic’s phone flashed. “That’s my cousin, just a minute.”
I glanced at my own phone. Maria had texted me a few times.
Maria
Autumn is nutso. Please come and help me.
She’s ready to murder Raven.
We’re at the taqueria on 13th. Pretty please?
Our server delivered a teapot and pretty porcelain cups. I glanced out the window—Maria and Autumn were less than a block away.
Dominic sat back in his chair and crossed his legs. “My cousin is getting married.”
“Sebastien?”
“Yes. One of my aunt’s conditions for the inheritance.”
My eyes widened as I stared at Dominic calmly sipping his Jasmine tea. “What do you think?”
He shrugged. “If we can get the trust set up in time, at least there will be something managing the money. It’s Ophelia’s decision.”
“Huh.”
“She doesn’t get to meddle in my life that far.”
Our food was delivered to the table, the service incredibly fast, as usual.
“Will you go to the wedding?” I wrapped spicy noodles around my fork.
“Probably not. It’s going to be in New York soon. I prefer not to fly. And it’s not my favorite time of year to drive across the country.”
“That’s, what, three days of driving?”
He nodded, his eyes lingering on the collar of my sweater. “It is. I’d prefer to see this area. We’ll go on a road trip.”
I blinked. “Where do you want to go?”
“Down the 101 highway, along the coast. Or over to the high desert in the east. Crater Lake. Depending on weather, take your pick.”
A smile tugged at my mouth, and I dabbed at it with a napkin. “What about work?”
“Mine is portable. You’re on vacation.”
“Vacation is not what I’d call it.”
“Start sleeping with me and it will be.”
I coughed, a spice catching in my throat. Dominic refilled my teacup. “Sorry,” I croaked. You’re so embarrassing.
“Tomorrow, we’ll do local. I want to see what you love about this place.”
“My friend Raven calls it Waterfall Canyon.”
His leg pressed against mine under the table. A jolt shot into me.
“That fits.”
We stared at each other. His fingers brushed over mine on the table. I was in trouble—the man was addictive. Going to dinner with him made one of the worst days of my life fade into the background. I shivered and pressed my knees together.
“To-go box?” Our server held up two different sizes.
“Yes, thank you.” I took the smaller one.
Dominic shook his head and handed her a credit card.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“My pleasure. Next time, we’re going to a place that doesn’t use Styrofoam.”
I resisted rolling my eyes. The man probably had no idea what living on a small income was like. “A few of my friends are at a taqueria a half block away. What do you think about stopping by for a quick hello?”
“Sure. I could do a Mexican beer.”
I smiled as we stood and put on our coats. It’s too easy. There’s a bomb coming.
We stepped through the side door onto the empty patio beside the restaurant. Dominic grabbed the lapels of my trench and pulled me against him. Standing on tip toe, I wound my arms around his neck as he leaned over and kissed me.
His hands pushed inside my open coat as our mouths gently nibbled and pressed. It was like I was in a hot air balloon, losing my breath as we rose too high.
He pulled away and stared down at me. “Not tonight, Kelsey. But soon. I want to wake up with you.”
I blinked, my heart lifting, still attached to a balloon. “You do?”
Closing his eyes, he nodded. A family stepped onto the patio, and we dropped our arms. Dominic took my hand. “Where to?”
The taqueria was two houses down in the old residential neighborhood that had been converted to businesses. The outdoor area was strung with warm globe lights and surrounded by a black wrought iron fence. Gas firepits burned merrily at a few of the tables.
I spotted Maria at the bar, grinning while she leaned forward and spoke to the bartender. Phoebe was next to her, speaking to a guy in a hoodie. Autumn sat at a table by herself, frowning down at her phone.
“Hi,” I said to Autumn. “Is there room for us?”
Autumn held open her arms for a hug. “Hell yes, you better sit here. How are you—oh, hi.”
I glanced at Dominic. “Autumn, this is Dominic. We just had Thai food down the street.”
“Can I buy you both a drink?” Dominic asked.
“Margarita, with salt.” Autumn tossed her hair. “Thank you.”
“I’ll do the same.”
He nodded and headed off to the bar, tall and straight-backed.
“Damn,” said Autumn. “Congrats on that one. How’s it going?”
“Good. But he doesn’t want long term.”
“Ah, one of those.” She put her head in her hands.
“Hey, can I ask you a real estate question?” I clasped my hands together, my stomach clenching.
“Shoot.”
“Gerry and I own a townhouse. We need to sell, but he’s…well, I’m filing for a restraining order.”
She sat up straight. “Shit. I’m sorry.”
I gave a jerky nod. “He’s out of money—stole from me, actually.” I waved my hand around as she stared at me with her mouth open. “Can I list it? I think if an offer came in, he’d budge. Right now, he’s still telling me to come home.”
“Dang.” She narrowed her eyes, staring at me. “That asshole. He’s living there, and you aren’t?”
“Yes. He isn’t paying his half of the bills, as of today.” I’d called my bank when my paycheck was finally deposited. “He’s…drinking too much. Not being rational.”
My lawyer hadn’t made any headway with Gerry. Or even had a response.
“Email me,” Autumn said. “Technically, I can list it for you. But my firm…well, I’d have to work around them. Can’t make any promises. And Gerry would have to sign for the sale to go through. I couldn’t even show the house if he’s against it.”
“Thank you for considering it.”
One side of her mouth quirked up. “I’m in the mood to be nasty. Gerry would be perfect.”
Dominic returned with drinks, and Maria and Phoebe were at his side.
“He bought us all a round,” Maria said, grinning at me. “Way to deliver the sugar daddy.”
“Do I look that old?” Dominic pushed a salted margarita across the table to me.
“Not a bit,” said Autumn, winking at me. “Cheers.”
We all clinked glasses. Dominic pressed against my side and put an arm around my waist. They were headed to trivia night next, and Maria launched into a story about a guy there who picked at his nose while he thought. Phoebe said that putting a finger in her ear helped her brain.
I leaned on Dominic, the thumping salsa music reverberating in my belly. His dark eyes were watching me when I set down my empty glass. It was finally time for his surprise.