Dominic POV
I tried to play it cool, I really did. But the moment Elian came waltzing up to Kennedy with that smug little grin and handed her a dessert no one else got? I felt my jaw lock tight. And then the wink—
He winked at her.
Like he knew.
I didn’t even look at her. I couldn’t. I knew if I did, I’d either say something stupid or worse—make it obvious. But I saw it out of the corner of my eye anyway. That little smile she gave back. It was shy, sure, but it was there.
And I wanted to throw my damn fork at the guy.
The table moved on, everyone buzzing about Kennedy’s voice, Aunt Natalie’s offer, Nonna’s full-on Juilliard sponsorship—meanwhile I was stuck with this tightness in my chest I couldn’t shake. I kept stabbing my dessert like it had personally offended me.
Eventually ev
