Chapter 32 Maybe Someday
Maybe Someday
Jas
The half-restaurant, half-arcade—Under the Bridge—lies ahead. This is where we chose to break the news to Seren: Mommy and Dominik are dating.
Is she going to understand? Will she be okay with it?
Will she wriggle her nose in disgust because how dare I?
Maybe I’m getting a little bit ahead of myself.
I’m not going to mention the whole fated mates thing.
I’ll save that rabbit hole for when she’s older.
She’s young, but she deserves honesty. Especially before she sees us holding hands or stealing kisses.
I steal a glance at Dominik beside me. My eyes rake him over.
His left hand grips the steering wheel, and his right hand rests on my thigh.
His head lightly bobs to the music, and a few of his locs sway with the beat.
The sharp line of his jaw catches the passing streetlight.
It’s not right that a man can look this good in a Henley and jeans. Blue really is his color.
Yeah—I have no regrets. Not a single one.
I feel complete with him. Moiraya embraced the foundation of our friendship and transcended it into something more.
The two of us have changed so quickly. An unseen force has brought us together, ensuring we feel every heartbeat and touch, and hear every breath.
This bond is more than love. Aaryn showed me how to love. And when Dominik and I grieved and healed together, we became close, and after all this time, I’ve fallen in love.
I slide the bookmark into place before closing the book, setting it on the middle console.
A pop song plays softly through the speakers while Seren sings along in the backseat, completely content.
Dominik glances over, the corner of his lips tilting slightly upward before he focuses his attention on the road, giving my thigh a gentle squeeze.
It’s going to be alright, Amataria.
His words wrap around me in a warm caress. I take a deep breath, and my heart slows to the steady dance of his. I squeeze his hand, and the passing trees steal my attention.
How can you be sure?
We slowly pull into the parking lot, and the building’s bright, colorful lights flash across the dashboard. He doesn’t answer right away. His grip stays firm on the wheel as he shifts into park and cuts the engine.
Because I’m not the one who decides, the Goddess chose this path. We can move at whatever pace you need, but I refuse to give up on this. On us. I never gave up on being there for you and Seren. Don’t ask me to do that now.
“Why do you say things like that?” My throat constricts around his words.
I feel his sweet chuckle brush against my consciousness, carrying quiet understanding. There must be fear in him—like me. Somewhere, no matter how fierce his wolf may be.
“Say what, things that are true?”
“Can we please go inside!” Seren squeals, interrupting us. Her voice pitches higher with each word as she bounces in her seat.
He gives my hand a tight squeeze.
“Are you ready for all of this?” I ask.
“Always.”
Inside, it’s loud with the laughter of kids, the sounds of the games, and music in the background.
Dom and Seren are playing together. They go from Skee-ball lanes to basketball hoops.
Tickets fall from the dispenser in red streams. I spin a few wheels, hoping to land on high ticket numbers to add to the bundle already flowing out of my bag.
They’re like two peas in a pod.
After about an hour of game time, I feed the last ticket into the kiosk, waiting for the receipt to pop out, revealing our total count. I feel Dom before I see him, sliding up beside me, nudging my hip.
He gives me a look. “Ready to eat?”
I nod, following him and Seren to the restaurant.
We sit ourselves before a waitress arrives, giving us our menus, and takes our orders.
We’ve been here often enough. We always order our usual: a double bacon cheeseburger for Dom, spicy fried chicken sandwich for me, chicken tenders with tater tots for Seren, and queso and onion rings for the appetizer.
I sip my water, hoping it will soothe my throat for the words I'm about to speak.
“Okay, sweetheart, Dominik and I want to talk to you about something important.”
I pause as the waitress arrives. She delivers Seren's meal and a Shirley Temple, sets the appetizers and three small plates between Dominik and me, then leaves a pile of napkins before walking away.
“Am I in trouble?” Seren asks, dipping a tater tot in ketchup.
“No, you’re not in trouble,” I say. “You know how I’ve gone on a few dates to meet a new friend?”
She nods, nibbling on a chicken tender.
“Well…” I clear my throat before glancing over at Dominik, who’s sporting a proud grin.
My heart stumbles over it.
“Mommy decided to date Dominik.”
Through the bond, he showers me with praise. You’re doing great, love.
I turn back to Seren. “We want to know how you feel. Can you tell us what you’re thinking?”
She chews thoughtfully. “But Dominik is already your friend. Do you like him more now?”
I take Dom’s hand under the table. “Yes, sweetheart, we like each other.”
Her gaze snaps to me, then him. “So, is he your boyfriend?” Kids don’t ease into anything. They go straight for the jugular.
She nods, satisfied—for all of two seconds. “Are you getting married?”
If my cheeks were any redder, they’d start smoking. “No,” I say quickly. “We’re not getting married—”
“Maybe—” Dom starts, but closes his mouth, a sheepish grin appears when I shoot him a look.
“Not—not right now,” I repeat, turning my attention back to Seren.
She accepts this answer and shrugs, because this conversation must be boring the hell out of her. “Okay.”
I was worried about her response, but she didn't care. To her, nothing is really changing, is it? She eats a few more of her fries and another chicken tender before asking if she can go play another game.
“Yes,” we say together as Dom hands her a small, brown paper bag with game tokens. “Stay close so we can see you, okay?”
“Marriage? Seriously?” I turn to Dom. “Fate being a key element in all this isn't enough for you?” A soft laugh slips out of me.
“Maybe someday, I hope someday. You are my mate, but I want you to be my wife.”
My breath hitches—not from nerves or the bond—but every word of what he said.
I want you to be my wife.
I swallow, leaning into him, a breath apart. “One step at a time, wolf.”
His grin is slow, devastating. “I can wait. As long as it’s you.”