Chapter 30
Mila
Ever since Dominic took me to the empty studio under Wolfe Enterprises, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the possibilities.
There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more than to teach dance.
Just being able to dance again would be a dream come true.
The little routine I did in the middle of a fight ring was fun, but I prefer traditional dancing.
Maybe it’s the fact that I don’t have a real job anymore.
I mean, I still clean the house for him, but it’s more like just picking up after us.
It doesn’t take long to tidy up most days, and I’m not even cooking anymore.
Dominic insisted we hire a personal chef, so now I have a lot of time on my hands.
He says I should be out and about, going on dates with him, shopping, doing yoga, and pretty much anything that will bring good attention to us as a couple.
As luxurious as that is, I’m not a big money spender, and one can only do so many yoga classes per week.
In short, I get bored. Then I get stir-crazy and just end up sitting by the pool with my laptop, looking up ideas for the studio.
If he’s not kidding that it could be a dance studio, it’s going to need bars and more mirrors.
It could use an updated sound system and different lighting, too.
Plus, a desk for a receptionist and locker rooms for the students.
It will need a makeover and instructors. And it’s going to cost money.
I am sitting with my laptop on the couch with a plate of sliced apples and peanut butter when there’s a knock at the door.
Dominic is at the office today, so I hop up from the couch, popping another apple slice in my mouth before heading to the door.
I lick the peanut butter off my fingers as I pad through the foyer.
I am surprised at how often the cravings change. Seafood is out and peanut butter is in.
I also feel a pang of guilt. I know I need to tell Dominic that I am pregnant.
I know the longer I wait, the harder it’s going to be.
But I also want to make sure it’s the right time.
I don’t want to complicate things. I’m not showing, but I can tell a difference in the way my clothes are fitting.
Eventually other people will be able to tell too.
I open the door and there’s no one there, but there is a package. It’s a large, flat, white box. It feels conspicuous, but when I check the tag that is neatly tucked into the gold bow, any alarm I was feeling is gone.
Dress up. We’re going to dinner tonight. -Dom
A grin spread across my lips, and I rush back inside with the box.
As pretty as it is with the golden bow and ribbon, I can’t stop myself from ripping it open.
I pull the white tissue paper away from what appears to be a dress.
A gorgeous, blush-pink sparkling gown. It’s so elegant that I actually gasp.
I pull my phone out and send a photo to Lainey. She calls me immediately.
“What in the name of Arianna Grande is that?” she asks.
“I don’t know! I just found the box with the note. I guess we are going on a date?”
“A real date?” she asks.
“I…guess?” I say, putting the phone on speaker and holding the dress up to me in front of the mirror.
“That’s exciting,” she says. “I swear I knew he was actually into you.”
“I don’t know…” I say, but I can’t stop smiling. I know developing feelings is against the rules. But everything that’s happened recently has felt like maybe, just maybe, my feelings aren’t one-sided.
“Well, it looks like love to me,” she says. “So where is he taking you?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “I literally just got the package.”
“Well, text him! I think you need to know!” she exclaims, and I laugh.
“I need to know, or you want to know?” I ask.
“Both. Text him. And keep me on the phone.”
I go to my text stream with Dominic and punch out the question.
Mila: So I got a little surprise on the doorstep…
Dominic: Do you like it?
Mila: It’s gorgeous. Where are we going?
Dominic: Novella.
“What is happening?!” Lainey demands, pulling me back into the room.
“Novella,” I tell her.
“Novella?” she asks.
“Yes. It’s that super posh Italian restaurant on the beach. The one with the fire pits and the dock and–”
“I know what it is,” she tells me. “We’re all going.”
I stop, suddenly very confused.
“What do you mean?” I ask. “Who all is going?”
“There’s a huge party there tonight. A business dinner or something. Niko told a couple of us waitresses about it the other night. As far as I know, a lot of the boxers will be there too, and people from Dominic’s company. He didn’t already tell you about it?”
“No,” I say as all the butterflies in my chest slowly calm down.
“Well, that’s exciting that I get to see you!” she says. “I wasn’t sure if you were coming or not. Since you didn’t mention it before.”
“I didn’t know about it before,” I say.
“He must’ve wanted it to be a surprise,” she says. “But now I know I need to dress up. I was just going to wear dress pants and a blouse. I’m going to go through my dresses now. I’ll see you later!”
After we hang up, I just stare at the dress. It really is stunning. And I don’t want to seem ungrateful. A dinner with friends from the bar and the people I met from Bad Wolfe does sound like fun. But if I am being honest, I am a little sad that it’s a party and not a date for two.
“You look incredible,” Dominic says as he plants a kiss on my cheek, right next to my mouth. Despite my disappointment, I still curled my hair and did my makeup. After all, this dress is stunning and I couldn’t just throw my hair up in a ponytail and call it good.
“Thank you,” I say, my eyes trailing over his black suit.
Whatever this party is for, it must be a big deal because he’s wearing a jacket, a tie, and cufflinks.
His hair, also dark, is slicked back, a couple of curls falling to the sides, and the streaks of silver pop like some kind of sexy accent color.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I say when words work again.
He smiles, but it’s brief. Something in his body language feels off.
He’s thrumming his thumb on the steering wheel and he’s also tapping his foot, even though there’s no music playing.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he seems nervous, which is odd.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him nervous before. He’s simply not a nervous man.
We pull up to Novella, and the valet takes Dominic’s car. Then he takes my hand and leads me inside. Immediately the host recognizes him, addressing him by name. We follow him to the back patio, which is basically a pier on the water.
“Oh, wow,” I gasp. The entire patio is lit up with twinkling fairy lights. Flowers and other plants line the edges of the dock, and small, white cloth tables are speckled around all with candlelight. There’s a minibar, a DJ, and even a dance floor in the middle of it all.
“Do you like it?” Dominic asks, and I look up at him.
“It’s beautiful,” I answer.
He says, “Good, that makes me happy.”
The butterflies return to my chest, fluttering around inside me. But I quickly shoo them away. Even if this is for us or about us or whatever, it’s all for show. I need to remind myself of that. I mean, his father is sitting at one of the tables, which obviously means we are still playing the game.
Still, all this luxury is hard to ignore. After saying hello to everyone from Wolfe to the waitresses from the Cockpit, we take our seats. There is a table for two in the middle of everyone else for a six or seven course meal.
“Are you feeling alright?” Dom asks me as I bite into a piece of bruschetta.
“Yes,” I answer. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You haven’t touched your champagne,” he says, nodding to the rose-hued flute in front of me. “I know you’re not much of a drinker, but it’s Dom Perignon.”
Of course, it is. I’ve been aching to drink it ever since the waiter poured the glass. The bubbles are dancing from the bottom to the top, tempting me with every beaded pop. But obviously, I can’t. Instinctively, yet luckily subtly, my hand presses to my belly under the table.
“Yeah, I quit drinking a few months ago. I’m sorry,” I say, and Dom shakes his head.
“Don’t be sorry,” he insists, taking my hand in his. “You could ask for fruit punch, and I’d tell the bartender to whip it up for you.”
I giggle, and he smiles. Even if this is all for show, my heart settles a little in my chest.
“Well, aren’t you two the picture of perfection?” Dom’s father approaches our table, and we both look up at him. Dom doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Hello Mr. Wolfe,” I say, and he shakes his head. “Call me Enzo, please.”
“Oh, you’re lucky,” Dom teases. “No one gets to call him by his first name.”
Enzo laughs and Dominic smiles. I know that smile is for me, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what is going on. The dynamic is…friendly. I didn’t know they were capable of that.
“Lovely party, son,” Enzo goes on, furthering my surprise. “You’ve really done well for yourself. In so many ways.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Dom answers, and I swear I am going to wake up from whatever crazy dream this is. That’s a pregnancy symptom, right? Wild, nonsensical dreams? Dominic keeps me in the moment, realistic or not, by rubbing his thumb over my finger.
“Mila!” I’m still trying to process whatever the hell is happening, but I hear my name being called from across the dock. I turn to see Lainey waving and smiling.
“Go ahead, dear,” Enzo nods. “I need to speak to my son, anyway.”
I look at Dom who winks, sending a small jolt of electricity into my chest before quietly excusing myself from the table. Once I am far enough away, I bolt in Lainey’s direction, clomping across the wood in my heels until Lainey and I are close enough to embrace.
“I was wondering where you were,” I tell her. “All of this is wild, isn’t it?”