Chapter 18
Dominic
I let the words sit between us for a few seconds while waiting for our mother to notice that I’ve arrived.
“Look at you, you’re actually trying to crack a joke,” I mutter to my brother, but my eyes are still fixed on her, waiting to see when she finally notices me sitting here with him.
Across the table, Mom finally turns this way, catching that I’m here.
“Dom! Sweetheart. I’m so glad you made it.”
I give her a small nod, letting a smile settle in. “Wouldn’t miss it, Momma. Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
She lights up at that, then turns right back toward Cora and Irene, picking up their conversation like it never stopped.
Before I can say anything else, the sound of footsteps creeps closer to our table.
Then a voice follows.
“Thanks for waiting on me.. I was finalizing some numbers for the J. James Commercial Development project. Major pain in the ass.”
She slides into the seat across from us, but right beside Tom.
My eyes drag over her without meaning to linger.. but they do anyway.
She reaches up, fingers threading through those brown waves, flicking them back over her shoulder in one smooth motion.
I watch every movement closely.
The way her wrist turns.
The way her hair falls back into place.
The small breath she lets out afterward.
My tongue presses lightly against the inside of my cheek, holding something back; something that wants to surface.
Elias shifts beside me, barely noticeable to anyone else. But not to me.
My gaze drifts back to her again, but then beside her, Tom leans forward, folding his hands together. I force my attention back to him before it lingers too long.
“Actually,” he says, “you’re right on time.”
His tone shifts, just enough to signal something bigger is coming.
“I invited you all here tonight for a reason..”
He lets the words hang in the air for a second before continuing.
“I’ve finally come to a decision,” he mutters. “One I’ve been sitting on.. thinking through, for quite some time.”
He looks around at everyone and then says, “I’m retiring.”
That gets everyone’s attention. Including mine.
I lean forward slightly now, resting my forearms on the table, fingers lacing together loosely.
Elias goes still beside me.
Across from us, Victoria straightens, her focus snapping fully into place.
“And I want to pass the company down,” Tom continues. “To you.”
There’s a moment of unease and then he speaks again.
“To all three of you.”
I exhale slowly through my nose.
“Victoria,” he says, turning toward her, “I’d like you to handle the funding and investing bit.”
She blinks, processing it.
She wasn’t expecting it and neither were we.
His gaze shifts to my brother. “Elias as usual, you’ll continue to monitor construction and marketing.”
Then finally, Tom looks at me.
“Dominic, you’d have the option to step in and help on either side if you ever decide to leave your current career. But since you’re doing well where you are, I’ll make sure you’re listed as a shareholder for now.”
I sit there as all of the information processes.
Not the offer. That part’s easy.
I’ll stay where I am for now since I was just promoted to director of the local mental institution.
What’s harder is keeping my focus where it’s supposed to be.
Because it keeps drifting back to her.
I drag my gaze back to Tom and give a small nod. “Yeah,” I reply. “I’ll think about it.”
But even as I say it, my attention slips again.
Right back to Victoria.
She turns her body to face Tom’s, trying her best to avoid catching my eyes.
“Well, I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Mom says, filling the silence. “All of you working together, building something as a family.”
Elias clears his throat beside me. “It’s something that will definitely take some getting used to.”
The server approaches with a tray of water glasses, setting them down carefully before asking if we’d like to order drinks. Everyone requests something; margaritas for Mom, Cora and her wife Irene, beer for Tom and Elias, and a glass of white wine for Victoria.
“Two shots of tequila for me,” I say when the server turns my way.
Victoria’s eyebrow raises slightly at this, her first acknowledgment of my presence since sitting down.
“It’s not a party without Dom.” She says with a light laugh.
The conversation shifts to small talk as we wait for our drinks. I lean back in my chair, creating space between Elias and myself. The tension between us is subtle but there, like static electricity.
“How’s the mental health center doing, Dom?” Victoria’s mom, Cora, asks, leaning forward with genuine interest. “Are you enjoying your new position?”
“It’s challenging,” I reply, choosing my words carefully. “But rewarding. We’ve implemented some new programs that are showing promising results.”
“That’s wonderful,” she beams.
Our drinks arrive, and Tom raises his glass. “To the most supportive family a guy could be blessed with.”
Everyone lifts their glasses, the clink of them meeting creates a brief moment of unity before we all retreat back into ourselves.
I throw back my shot before glancing at her again.
She’s taking a prolonged sip of her wine as Tom turns to her.
“Victoria,” he says, setting his beer down, “you’ve been quiet. What do you think about all of this?”
She places her wine glass down carefully. “It’s.. unexpected.”
“Of course, of course,” he nods.
The server returns to take our food orders.
Once they leave, Tom turns his attention back to her again.
“So,” he allows the air to hang between them awkwardly for a few seconds before continuing, “how have things been going with Garrett? Haven’t seen him around lately.”
Victoria freezes, her fingers tightening around her wine glass. A few different emotions flash across her face; pain, anger, and then her eyes catch mine for a brief moment before she composes herself and answers.
“We’re not together anymore,” she admits.
Good riddance.