Prologue #2
Kids. Dominic was the same age as Grace. With a three-year age gap from Hayden and Callum, she would always be the youngest in her family. Three years might well have been a decade. Dominic’s important job and flashy lifestyle wouldn’t change that.
Her stepmom stepped outside with a bowl of potato salad. “Hayden, grab the watermelon from the counter.”
Callum took the bowl from her and set it on the table. “What else do you need help with?”
Flames licked from the grill as Dad shoveled the burgers onto buns. “Gracie, hold out the tray.”
She pulled away from Dominic and stepped next to her father. Heat radiated from the grill. Still, it was nice not to be pressed against someone in the summer swelter.
Everyone helped set the table except for Dominic. He was a guest, though, and new to their dynamic. Not that they were waiting on him, but more that he didn’t know how to lend a hand.
Callum and Hayden sat in their usual seats. Her stepmom topped off drinks and then joined them. Grace returned to her place next to Dominic. Her dad circled the table, dishing out burgers. “Which one do you want, Gracie?”
Mouth watering, she eyed the one with extra cheese melting out the side.
“That little one looks good,” Dominic suggested.
“Oh, that little guy is the one we make for Sprout.” Dad gestured to the old dog sleeping under the table. “That’s not even half—”
“It’s fine, Dad. That’s good for me. There’s more than enough for you to halve a burger for Sprout when we’re done.”
Dad frowned. His spatula-wielding hand hovered. “Well, uh…” He scooped up the comically small burger with the bun tipped off the side. “Sure. You can always have seconds.”
She didn’t have to look up to see Callum and Hayden scrutinizing her burger selection.
Dinner went downhill from there.
Finally, the night wrapped. When they were alone, she’d explain to Dominic how he made her and her family uncomfortable. She’d point out a few things that would make their next family get-together run more smoothly.
Grace offered awkward goodbyes to her dad and stepmom, ignored Hayden and Callum, and, hand in hand, let Dominic escort her to his BMW. His firm grip was the slightest bit too tight, and he shut her inside the fancy car with a hint of too much force.
All she had to do was ask him to relax. Maybe her unflappable boyfriend had felt ganged up on. Hayden and Callum certainly hadn’t made dinner a relaxing time. Then again, Dominic had been combative with subtle condescension and a few straightforward jabs.
Dominic rounded the hood. His brooding dark eyes and set jaw made her nerves bubble. Grace looked toward the childhood home that always made her feel happy and carefree. Until tonight.
Callum watched from the porch. His thick arms were crossed, and his scrutinizing glare followed Dominic.
Then his gaze dropped to hers. Her stomach plummeted.
Every concern that she tried to ignore was lit up on his face like a billboard in Las Vegas.
His angry frown pulled down so far that she worried he would come down to the BMW.
But he didn’t.
Besides, she didn’t need him to. She was more than capable of having a private conversation with her boyfriend. Dominic needed to ease up. She had a voice, and she’d never been scared to use it before.
Dominic closed the door and turned on the engine. Warm air blasted over her, and the music kicked on. His irritation flooded the car. He slapped at the controls, as if changing the settings would immediately blast cool air on a ninety-degree day.
Grace squirmed in her seat as the air conditioning barely cooled the car. Sweat prickled on the back of her neck. Callum still watched from the porch. “I just thought today would be…”
“Would be what?” Dominic snapped.
She inched away and leaned against the door. “Different.” Her tongue pressed to the roof of her mouth as she combed through the most important issues to bring up. “I can pick my cheeseburger out.”
“You didn’t go back for seconds, so it must have been the right burger to fill you up.”
She hadn’t because Dominic, Callum, Hayden, and her dad—probably her stepmom too—were watching what Grace ate. She’d wanted another burger but had loaded up on sides instead. “That doesn’t matter. Don’t pick out my food for me.”
He let out a long breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, and after another long breath, he turned and took her hand.
This time, his handhold was gentler than any time he’d touched her all day.
“I’m sorry, darling. I was overheated. I just want you to be happy and healthy and to take care of yourself. ”
She was happy and healthy and tried to understand what he meant. So…he was looking after her? Sort of. But choosing her burger wasn’t her only issue with the day, and she didn’t understand how this perfect gentleman, this well-spoken business executive, had been so rude and arrogant.
“Grace, I’m sorry.” He released the tender hold on her hand and reached into the center console. “I got you a little something. I planned to give it to you later tonight, but I can’t stand to see you upset.”
She eyed the small blue box that she now recognized as being from his favorite jewelry store in New York City and wanted to say she wouldn’t need a present now if he’d been kinder to everyone. Actually, she didn’t need presents. At all. Period.
Warmth radiated from his eyes and into his smile. This was the Dominic she knew and loved. Still, she hesitated.
“Open it, Grace.”
She lifted the top. A keychain wasn’t what she expected. Not that she expected anything. “What is this?”
“What does it look like?”
Grace lifted it from the box. The metal keychain was heavier than any she’d had before, and if she had to guess, it was real silver or white gold. Her eyebrows lifted. “I know it’s a keychain, but—”
Dominic held out a key. “For you.”
An empty feeling pitted at the bottom of her stomach.
She swallowed hard and looked from the key to him.
His smile was almost nervous, almost shy, but it was the excitement in his eyes that won her over.
Dominic, her macho boyfriend who commanded boardrooms and made million-dollar deals, was insecure and hopeful.
Okay, that was sweet. “You’re giving me a key to your condo? ”
“I’d like to call it our condo.”
She had hardly set foot in her apartment since the day they’d met.
Everything was happening so fast. She blinked, trying to get a handle on the way he’d acted earlier.
They’d been dating for weeks. That was all.
Not to mention, she liked her own place.
It was nowhere near as nice as his polished properties, but it was her own space.
Grace gnawed on her bottom lip. Was he asking her to move in with him?
Or was it just a key? It had to be just a key.
Still, she hesitated. “I don’t know.”
“Grace, I’m sorry tonight didn’t go the way you imagined.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “But I wanted to meet your parents before I gave you this.”
She met his dark eyes. They twinkled as if this was something he needed.
Almost like a challenge—no, that didn’t make sense.
Almost like he was scared she’d say no. The corners of his lips lifted.
Dominic clasped his key in her palm and closed her fingers around it, then brought her hand to his mouth, pressing it with the softest kiss. “I love you, Grace.”
Her apprehension melted away. How could she doubt a man who saw their future together? He was stable, secure, and he would treat her like she was precious. “I love you too.”
“My lawyers will handle your lease. We’ll have movers bring over whatever you want to keep. Simple.”
Wait. He was asking her to move in with him. Alarm bells sounded.
“You’re the love of my life.” He glanced over her shoulder. Callum was probably still standing there, watching. “Tell me you know that.”
“I know that.”
“That you’ll never break my heart.”
“Of course I won’t.” They were moving in together. A luxury condo. Maid service. Rooftop pool and gym. Concierge and doorman. It was safer than her apartment. It was the next step.
Grace forced herself to ignore Callum Hale as Dominic drove them toward her unexpected future.