◆◆◆ Chapter 5 ◆◆◆
Sunday dinner at Dominic’s apartment felt like stepping onto a stage with no script.
I arrived early, hands trembling as I set the salad I’d brought on the counter. Dominic was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, stirring something. He looked calm, too calm, until he saw my face. Then he crossed the room in two strides and pulled me into his arms.
“We don’t have to do this tonight,” he murmured against my hair. “We can wait.”
I shook my head into his chest. “If we wait any longer, I’ll explode. Or run. Or both.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Then we do it. Together.”
Ryan arrived at seven sharp, carrying a bottle of red and a tentative smile. He looked better than he had in months — hair cut, clean shirt, the shadows under his eyes lighter.
“She’s actually cool,” h
