“Why are you standing over there?”
Dom motions me to join them and I can’t stop myself from going. I can’t stop the subtle shift of weight when he kisses her once before turning to me. I’m pulled into his arms and I had no idea how much I needed this. Needed him.
I exhale the ball of anxiety lodged in my chest and press my face into the stitch of skin between his neck and shoulder.
“Love you,” I murmur, closing my eyes and letting him lead us through the song.
His arm tightens around my middle. “Love you, too.”
I’m unclear how long the music plays, how many songs pass, I hold my baby close. I let his warmth and scent comfort all the doubts lodged in my chest. For those few minutes, I almost feel like maybe everything will be okay. That Isla will stay and we’ll build a family and we’ll take trips to places with heaps of snow.
“It’s going to be okay,” Dom whispers into my ear.
And I let myself believe it. Just for a second.
He grins at me when I lift my face. It’s the same lopsided, cocky smirk he’s had since we were kids. The same one I realized one day I really liked seeing. It’s the same one he gave me the first time he kissed me in his parents’ basement.
“Promise?” I ask, knowing that’s impossible.
“Yeah, actually,” he counters. “I do.” He touches my cheek lightly. “I’ll make sure of it.”
It shouldn’t, because it’s not realistic, but it calms me. He must sense it because he smiles and kisses me deeply. Hungry sips that make my blood warm and my cock twitch.
He’s still grinning when he pulls back. “Dance with your sister.”
“Are you going to keep calling her that?” I mutter with zero heat.
Dom shrugs. “I like how hard it makes you.”
I continue to scowl at him, but my cheeks warm and my dick thickens as if to prove him correct.
Regardless, I let him step away and I turn to where Isla is sitting on the sofa, watching us quietly.
It’s strange, I decide even before I extend my palm to her. I’ve never had someone watch my relationship with Dominic. We’ve always been private. My firm knows about him. I’ve taken him on company trips and to parties. I’ve attended gatherings from his job. We’re not all over each other. People know I’m in a committed partnership. But I’ve never had someone sit and simply observe what we have. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I suppose it’s something I’m going to have to get used to now that she’s... what?
What is she? Our girlfriend? Our other partner? Do we tell people? I’m not a fan of divulging personal aspects of my life. This would fall into that category.
“Nicolas?”
I blink and Isla is standing before me, warm, honey-gold eyes watching me with uncertainty. I don’t know how long I’d been overthinking, but long enough that she’s starting to edge back.
I capture her hand and pull her to me. No fancy twirling. No fast and heavy tempos. I hold her softly with my palm flat along her lower spine. I cradle her hand in mine and move with the sultry purr of jazz.
She’s so different from Dom. Softness to all his muscles. Small, delicate to his strength and power. She’s as uncertain as I am and that is both terrifying and comforting.
“You can change your mind,” she tells me. “I won’t be upset. There was so much happening, I—”
I kiss her.
I steal her fears because I can do that now. I can kiss her. I can hold her. I can do all the things I’ve dreamt of doing with her for seven fucking years. I can calm her uncertainties and remind her every day she’s safe.
She’s mine.
Ours.
She’s our baby.
“Not letting you go,” I murmur against her mouth.
