“I wasn’t.” I cringed before I confessed the reason for my call. “Dominic came over yesterday.”
“Dominic? Your Dominic? Well, your old Dominic? The Dominic you told me was only a business associate this summer?”
“Yes, that Dominic. We hung out a little last week,” I reluctantly admitted, leaving out coming on his hand at his apartment and retreating like a coward.
“What are you telling me, Thea? You caught feelings for him again? How long was he there yesterday?”
“He just left. Nothing happened.” This time. “He brought over food and stayed because he heard I was sick. Then we both drifted off watching TV.”
I was met with nothing but silence and had to glance at my phone screen to make sure the call hadn’t dropped.
“I’m still unsure of the reasons for this call, babe. Are you looking for permission to start something up with him again? It’s no one’s business but yours if you do. I support you either way.”
I smiled when she shushed her husband and son in the background.
“I’m scared. You say caught feelings as if I never lost them. I’ve been making myself walk away from him since I got here, but…”
My head fell against the table, the frustration and fear hitting me hard and all at once.
“I can’t tell you what to do. Your sister and other friends may have a different opinion, but I say do what makes you happy. There’s moving on from the past, and there’s running from it. I think you know which one you’ve been doing. If you have another chance, can you live with yourself if you don’t see it through?”
“I don’t know.” I winced at the pain behind my eyes when I clenched them shut. I wasn’t sure if congestion or unshed tears were the cause.
“Yes, you do. Get some rest, and I’ll call you later.”
We hung up, and I popped off the chair, with what energy I had to pop with, and dug out a teabag from the drawer, my eyes landing on the bottle of local honey Dominic brought me. I filled the kettle and leaned back on the counter.
Before I lost my nerve, I grabbed my phone again.
Thea:What if I said I wanted more than casual with you?
I expected a long wait for a reply since he was heading home to get ready for work, but I almost jumped out of my skin at the immediate buzzing behind me.
Dominic:What if you said it, or are you saying it? Because my answer will depend on if you’re really saying it, or may possibly say it in the uncertain future.
Thea:You’re a pain in the ass, did I ever tell you that?
Dominic:Many times. Okay, fine. I’ll pretend you ARE saying it.
Three dots started then stopped, my heart skipping a beat each time I anticipated his reply.
Dominic:I would love nothing more than to have another chance with you. A real chance. Be with me, Thea. I promise I won’t fuck it up, this time. You belong with me, and I belong with you. It’s how it always should have been, and we finally can make it right.
My hands froze around my phone. It was the answer I was expecting, and the answer I wanted, but I didn’t know if I had the guts to accept it.
Dominic:But I won’t push you. Just know if you really did say that you wanted more than casual, or that you wanted me back, I’m yours. All fucking yours.
25
Dominic
Joeand I stood to the side as Dave trained a couple of new waitresses. He was doing a good enough job as a manager to allow him a little more responsibility, and allow Joe and me to have some kind of life this summer. Well, Joe anyway. I was working on mine.
“Good thing we have a new space opening soon. Doesn’t look like I’m too needed around here anymore,” I joked, nodding in Dave’s direction.
“As long as this place is open, you’re needed. More like what am I going to do without you? Getting my balls broken has become such a huge part of my day.” He shook his head before heaving a dramatic sigh. “Not sure I’ll be able to function.”
“Don’t worry, my friend, I can always work that into my schedule. It’s as important to me as it is to you.” I slapped him on the back. “I’ll be back later, I just want to run over there to check on a few things.”
