"I'm heading back home tonight. I’m supposed to play golf in the morning with Teddy and them. What are you guys doing?"
"Marley and I are going out to dinner tonight. We're lowkey celebrating."
"Celebrating what?" EJ asked his twin the question thoughtfully and quietly.
Dominic didn't normally make statements like that, and the way he said it had EJ glancing at him.
Dominic nodded, and EJ knew him well enough to say, "A baby?"
"Yes, but it's still really early, so you cannot tell anybody. She didn't even want me to tell you. I mean, she knows I'm going to, but she really doesn't want to tell anyone until it's been three months—no parents or anything."
It was the third time, and Marley didn't want to go through telling everyone it was going to happen and then having to tell them it wasn't.
"Oh, brother, I'm so happy for you," EJ said the words with an equal mix of casualness and sincerity that was appropriate for the gym setting and for Dominic's situation.
"Seriously, though, don't say anything about it yet if you don't mind. I had to tell you, and my wife knew that was a possibility when you came here, but no one else can know. I'll probably wait a few weeks to even tell Lila, Mom, and Dad. She's gun-shy about it, and it's understandable. She wants to give it another six weeks before we tell everyone else. That seems like an eternity right now. I want to tell everyone. I know it's going to be okay this time."
"It will go fast, that six weeks," EJ said encouraging him.
"It will. But anyway, don't mention it to Mom and Dad for now. I do need you to take something to their house for me. Don't let me forget to give it to you. It's a dish. Marley and I brought food home last time we were there."
"Did you feel like you couldn't get Marley out of your head?" EJ asked his brother.
This caused Dominic to laugh. "I still feel like I can't get her out of my head," he said. "All I think about is making her happy. Why? Is this about that hairdresser?"
"Yes."
"Your hair looks good, by the way, bro. I meant to tell you that earlier." Dom pulled back to check out his brother's hair. EJ rubbed the side of his head, testing to see how close he was to needing a haircut.
"Thanks. She wanted me to leave her alone," EJ said, causing his brother to glance at him as they walked. "She has a life and a business in Pittsburgh. And she was in a bad relationship and doesn't want to be with anyone ever again."
"This all seems like maybe there are too many factors. Hey, Mr. Hollis!" Dom said, when an older man reached out and got his attention.
The twins stopped walking and talked to the gentleman for a few minutes. They didn't hesitate to stop and engage in conversation with him. It was something that happened constantly when they were at the gym, and it was quite honestly the main reason why people paid a premium and why they kept coming back.
"You were saying there were too many factors," EJ said the instant they were out of earshot of the man. EJ glanced at his brother.
"Youwere saying there are too many factors," Dominic said. "I don't even know the woman."
"Well, I think I can make her love me."
"Whoa there, think about what you're saying. If you were coming to me saying that you and a woman wanted to be together, but one circumstance or the other was keeping you apart, I would say fine. But you're saying she doesn't want you. You're saying she doesn't even want a relationship, right?"
"Yes, but it's just because she's scared."
"That makes two of you," Dominic said.
EJ let out a sigh.
"Is there a chance that she's mainly appealing because she's saying she doesn't want you? I mean, isn't that what you're looking for in a woman, after all?"
"Very funny," EJ said, shaking his head.
They were approaching the offices now and were less likely to be interrupted. EJ needed to attend to a few things in his office before he left to head back home to Chicago. He slowed down in the empty hallway, knowing they would be parting ways when they finished the conversation.
"No, I'm serious," Dominic said. "That's really your only criteria for a woman is that she doesn’t want you for the wrong reasons. This one doesn’t want you at all, so they can't be the wrong reasons." Dominic shrugged. "I'm joking around partially, but it does kind of make sense why you're attracted to her, honestly."
"I'm attracted to her because she's wonderful and determined and beautiful and kind. She's adorable. It has nothing to do with her not wanting me. I wishshedidwant me. The last time I saw her, I was telling her about Dad and really talking stuff up instead of downplaying it like usual. And still she wasn't having it. We had this amazing evening together. We had this moment when we connected at her place… I just keep seeing us there… I can see myself in her apartment. It was so good, Dom. It haunts me. I thought something was happening with us, and I wanted it. I still wanted her when I thought she wanted me. And then she just said 'bye' in about two seconds, and I haven't talked to her since."
