“Do you have to be so damn charming? God, it’s annoying.” She grabbed the back of my neck and crashed her lips into mine. The kiss was long and deep, neither of us wanting to stop as her back hit the counter.
It was an unspoken promise and the beginning of things to come. After all these years on pause, my life was finally starting.
35
Dominic
“I’m starving.Shouldn’t the owners get served quicker than this?” Caterina slurred.
Thea and I shared a laugh. Caterina’s mother had come in for the weekend and offered to take Ava for the night so they could go out. ‘Out’ when it was this busy at the end of the summer still meant the pub, but we took a table on the patio and pretended to be customers on a double date. After her third RumChata shot, her speech was loud and slow.
“How about some water, baby?” Joe crooned as he brought the glass to her lips.
She took a sip while throwing him a scathing look.
“Our daughter cut three teeth this week, and I haven’t slept this badly since we brought her home. I know you’re keeping long hours too, but at least you have a break from all the screaming.”
“Not completely,” I said. “Jordan’s boyfriend caught her making out with Tommy outside last night. We had to break up the fight before someone called the cops.”
Caterina’s mouth dropped open.
“You’re kidding!”
“Not that it was a surprise. We called it in June.” I snickered and scanned the crowd for them both to make sure they weren’t anywhere near each other. We told them to keep their distance when they worked together since we couldn’t alternate shifts with it this crazy. “My throat is still sore from yelling at them to break it up.”
“I guess you’re both dealing with screaming children these days,” Thea chuckled. “And I suppose that’s why you didn’t talk much when you came over last night.” She scratched her nails across my back. “For once.”
“Do you think I want to waste time talking about those two? I have better uses for my mouth on your last weekend here.” I buried my head in the crook of her shoulder and took her earlobe in between my teeth.
“You know we’re both still sitting here, right?” Joe lifted a brow when we peered across the table.
“Like I haven’t heard and seen worse from the two of you.” I cringed as I took a long pull from my beer bottle.
“I’ll be back. I’m not going that far.” She rested her chin on my shoulder with her bottom lip jutted out in an exaggerated pout.
“I know, sweetheart. When they got together,” I nudged my chin in Joe and Caterina’s direction, “you would have thought New York City and Ocean Cove were in different countries.”
“It was far enough at the time,” Joe said, his eyes narrowed. “And keep that in mind when you’re moping around here like a lost puppy after Thea leaves, like I know you will be.”
“Aw, babe.” Thea looped her arms around my neck. “You don’t have to mope. I’ll be back before either of us knows it.”
“Damn right, you will.” I leaned in to give her a kiss when I heard a familiar voice call my name.
“Dominic! I thought that was you! Wow, this place looks amazing.”
I tensed up when I turned and recognized who it was.
We met April four years ago when I first came out here. She worked at one of the local bars and would always linger around while Joe and I were still building the restaurant from when it used to be a dive bar. I was out of my catatonic phase but was still mostly mute. That didn’t stop her from trying to chat me up every day.
One night, Joe suggested we go have a drink to blow off some steam. We both woke up the next morning hungover with a load of our own regrets. It was the night I finally started to open my eyes. When I woke up next to someone who wasn’t Thea, the realization of what I’d done and what I’d lost shocked me back to life.
“Hey April, what brings you back to Ocean Cove?” Joe asked as his eyes darted from her to me.
I hoped we’d make quick small talk and she’d be on her way. I could explain she was just a girl that used to live around here and leave it at that, although Thea would be smart enough to know there was more to it. I was certain that what I did wouldn’t matter as much aswhenI did it.
“My cousin still lives a couple of towns over. We’re the bachelorette party in the corner.” She pointed to the group of girls at a large table inside. I recognized the girl with the bride sash as Kim, her cousin who’d worked with her in the bar and ended up with Joe that night.
“Tell Kim we said congratulations,” I said, praying she’d take the hint and leave.
