11. Chapter 11 #2
And looking at them now, I feel small. Ridiculously, painfully small. She’s everything people expect next to a man like Dominic.
Meanwhile, I’m the girl with the sewing machine and a feed full of outfit videos.
They look like they belong on magazine covers.
I feel like I snuck in.
My chest tightens until it aches. Dom says something, and she laughs again. Her hand drifts a little higher on his arm, and Dom steps back, enough to make the space between them noticeable. A small shift of weight, a measured backward step, a quiet but unmistakable message: no .
She just laughs again, adjusting her stance, trying to close the distance he created. Dom doesn’t let her. He keeps that new, careful space between them.
My chest loosens for half a second, and I force myself to breathe.
I believed him when he said he didn’t touch her last week. And I still do.
But I also believe that she’d tear her dress off with her teeth if he crooked a finger.
He shifts slightly, as though sensing eyes on him.
And then he sees me. The woman keeps talking, oblivious, while Dom’s eyes stay locked on mine.
His expression doesn’t shift dramatically, but his eyes soften and his lips curve into a small smile for me.
He tilts his head in a small gesture, a silent invitation for me to join him.
I start moving toward him. His eyes track me the whole way, warm and steady.
The woman notices his attention has shifted and follows his line of sight.
She spots me approaching and straightens a little, subtly turning her body toward him as if to reclaim space that has already slipped through her fingers .
I reach them and plaster on the brightest, most diplomatic smile I’ve ever manufactured. The woman turns toward me, blue eyes sharp and assessing under all that elegance.
“Hey,” I say to Dom.
“Hey yourself,” he offers, stepping closer to me.
“Hi, I’m Jessica.” I turn to the woman and offer my hand.
“Valencia,” she replies, holding my hand a beat too long, her fingers cool. “So nice,” she purrs, “to finally meet the woman who managed to tame this beast.”
Beast.
She says it with familiarity, with layered meaning that makes the air catch in my throat. The sweetness in her tone is weaponized.
But before the discomfort can settle in my bones, something shifts beside me.
Dom wraps his hand around my waist. He pulls me into his side, body angled toward mine in a stance that erases any space Valencia had been subtly trying to hold.
Valencia’s lashes flutter, her smile tightening like a seam pulled too hard .
Dom looks down at me with a smile and lifts his free hand to slide his thumb across my cheekbone. I bite my lip, giddiness bubbling inside me from the gentle caress.
“Where have you been?” he murmurs to me, low but perfectly audible.
“With Melody,” I reply.
“We were just talking about the good old days,” Valencia chimes in with a tight smile that can absolutely translate to get lost.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” I say with a shake of my head.
Dom’s thumb drags a final stroke along my cheek before he lets his hand fall to my shoulder. A silent message.
Stay with me.
Valencia sees it and her smile goes brittle in a heartbeat.
“Well… congratulations,” she says, voice dripping back into venom-laced honey. “Really. It must take a special kind of woman to handle him.”
I hold her gaze evenly .
“I don’t have to handle him,” I say with matching sweetness. “Dom and I just bring out the best in each other.”
“It was nice seeing you,” Dom adds, signaling the end of their conversation. “And thank you for the favor.”
I don’t know what favor he’s talking about, but I see Valencia’s eyes flick between us. Something ugly brews beneath the surface of her expression.
The table is loud in the best way possible. The team is packed around it, sharing stories and clinking glasses. And Dom is actually smiling.
His whole face changes when he smiles. The sharp edges soften into something boyish and unfairly gorgeous. His eyes warm, his jaw relaxes, and for a second, he looks almost approachable.
I wish he smiled like this more often. I wish I got to see it when it wasn’t surrounded by noise and distraction—when it’s for me.
Dom glances my way mid-laugh, and the brief flicker of softness in his eyes makes my heart stutter. I place my hand on Melody’s arm and push my chair back.
“I’m gonna run to the bathroom,” I say. “Don’t let anyone steal my dessert.”
“Want me to come?” she whispers.
“No, no. It’s fine,” I wave her off.
“Where are you going?” Dom asks as I stand.
“Bathroom.”
He gives me a small nod and rises with me to help with my chair. “Don’t take long,” he murmurs in my ear, sending goosebumps along my side.
“Don’t miss me too much,” I pat his hard chest and head for the hall.
The hallway is blissfully quieter than the main room—softer lighting, muffled music, a small break. I push open the bathroom door and slip inside.
I pee quickly, fix my dress, and step out of the stall. At the sink, I turn on the water and wash my hands, then look up at myself in the mirror. My lipstick is holding, my hair survived, and my dress looks incredible. I lean closer, dabbing at a corner of my mouth, when the door slides open .
Valencia walks in. Her heels echo sharply against the marble, each step a little announcement.
Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and she smiles. Not the smile she gave Dom.
My pulse kicks, but I keep my face neutral. I reach for a paper towel and pat my hands dry.
“Jessica,” she says, “I was hoping to catch you.”
My stomach tightens, but I lift my chin, force a polite smile, and turn to her. “I can’t possibly imagine what for.”
“To complement you on the dress,” she says warmly. “You look lovely tonight.”
“Thank you,” I say cautiously.
“I mean it.” She steps to the sink beside me. “The dress is stunning. Very… personal. Did you make it?”
“Yes,” I say, looking down at myself with pride.
“How sweet.” Her tone is honeyed. “Very… resourceful.”
Resourceful. Like I’m a hardworking farm girl sewing scraps by candlelight. She tucks a blonde curl behind her shoulder, watching me in the mirror.
“You must understand,” she says lightly, “Dominic and I go way back. ”
She’s not informing me. She’s branding it into my skull.
“That’s nice,” I shrug, feigning indifference.
She turns fully toward me, leaning against the marble counter. “You seem sweet,” she says. “A little overwhelmed, maybe. These events can be intimidating, especially if you’re not used to them.”
Meaning: you don’t belong here.
“I’m fine,” I say, smiling though it’s starting to feel like a facial cramp.
“Of course,” Valencia murmurs. “There’s an art to standing beside a man like Dominic. He has a very particular lifestyle. A particular temperament.”
She’s circling, sniffing for weakness.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Not concern, darling. Advice. I know Dominic very well.” Her eyes narrow.
“I appreciate the advice, then,” I say, clipped. “If you’ll excuse me—”
“Oh, you definitely need the advice.” Her tone stops me like a hand.
“You see, Dominic is…” She tilts her head, softening with faux affection. “…a lot. He likes things a certain way.”
“Well, he likes me.” I tilt my head.
“I’m just saying. You haven’t been with him long, and it takes time to learn what he responds to. What he needs.” A small pause. “What he likes.”
My throat tightens. She watches the discomfort bloom, then smiles—sympathetic on the surface, cruel underneath.
“It’s no shame if you don’t know him well yet,” she murmurs. “It took me months to figure him out when we were together.”
The floor drops out beneath me.
Together.
She finally said it. My heart bangs against my ribs too fast.
“Luckily, I’m a fast learner,” I say, shrugging.
Valencia’s jaw tightens. She presses on, more direct. “You really are sweet. But Dominic isn’t. He’s fire. He needs someone who won’t burn out.” She steps closer. “And I know his fire, Jessica.”
“Stop.” The word is raw, sharp .
“Oh dear. Did I upset you?” She blinks innocently.
“Are you done?” I manage, pulse pounding in my ears.
I stare at her, trying to breathe, trying not to collapse under the image of her with him.
“I’m giving you insight,” she says, tone growing colder. “Dominic is unbendable. He doesn’t adjust for anyone. He doesn’t compromise.”
“Is there a point to this monologue, or are you just listing his LinkedIn skills?”
She pretends not to hear.
“Dominic is impossible sometimes,” she continues, almost dreamily. “He’s force. He’s—”
“A human man?” I offer blandly.
“He is not like other men.” Her eyes flash.
Jesus. She talks about him like he’s a mythical creature, a dragon she once rode into battle.
“He’s unpredictable,” she says, getting more animated, as if describing an ancient monster. “He can make you feel like the only woman alive and then act like he doesn’t see you. A man like that—”
“Valencia,” I interrupt sharply.
She freezes, thrown by the tone. I tilt my head, offering a smile.
“This has been… really enlightening,” I say, tapping my lip as if trying to remember something. “But my boyfriend is waiting for me, so…” I gesture toward the door. “…I’m gonna head back.”
Her expression cracks. Fury, disbelief flashed across her face at my use of that word.
Then, for the final twist, I lean in. “I don’t know what you did to make him act like that with you. But he takes very good care of me.”
For a split second, she looks like she might lunge. Her fingers tighten around her clutch.
“Enjoy it,” she whispers. “While it lasts.”
“Have a lovely night,” I reply softly.
I smooth my dress, paste on a polite party smile, and walk to the door.
It isn’t until the hallway swallows me that my breath shudders out of my chest.
The cracks spread the second she’s out of sight. Her words are burned into my brain.
Together. Months to figure him out. My stomach flips unpleasantly. How recent was their relationship? Did she sleep in his bed? Why didn’t he mention she’s an ex when I confronted him? When was the last time they…
The questions keep coming, sharp and uninvited. I shake my head, trying to reset, trying to swallow the jealousy clawing up my throat.
I turn the corner and see the team’s table, Dom included. I don’t know when it happened or how. I just know the idea of him with anyone else feels unbearable.