“I do.”Dominic’s lips curved into that effortless smile he used in board meetings and when schmoozing clients.“Crypto.Bitcoin.I specialize in blockchain technology.”
“That’s, like, pretend money, right?”Distrust tightened in the corners of Callum’s eyes.He tilted his head toward her brother.“Everything in Las Vegas is fake.”
Hayden’s gaze narrowed as well.“Think so.”
Dominic didn’t spend all his time in Las Vegas.She wished she hadn’t told Hayden and Callum that they were flying in from there.It raised too many questions about where Dominic lived.Las Vegas.New York.Miami.Washington, DC.
Dominic chuckled good-naturedly, as if Hayden and Callum weren’t acting like overprotective buffoons.“The business opportunities in Las Vegas are as real as the money in my bank account.”
Hayden snorted, Callum rolled his eyes, and Grace blushed.Talking about money like that was crass.Then again, it was his money that had been whirling her around the country, gifting her with over-the-top bouquets of flowers, dining her with unbelievable meals.She literally couldn’t catch her breath under the weight of his attention.Who was she to judge when Dominic was lavishing her with attention in a way she hadn’t known was possible?
Her stepmother shot a warning glance at Hayden and Callum.“That sounds exciting.Don’t mind them.”
Dominic hooted as though they were all in on a funny conversation.The hint of his thinly veiled condescension echoed with his laughter.If she heard it, Hayden and Callum did as well.Her stepmom, who always saw the best in people, probably didn’t.
“No, it’s fine,” Dominic said.“Digital assets are a complex market.Hard to understand.Takes a lot of understanding.Not for everyone.”
Her stomach churned.Dominic’s snarky side comments wouldn’t help everyone get along.Wasn’t that what she had wanted?For everyone to get along?For her family to be swept off their feet by Dominic as she had?Yes?Yes.That was why they were here.
She should have known it had been too early for him to meet her parents.Much less Hayden and Callum.She’d never brought a guy home before, and the timing of Hayden and Callum’s leave from base was unfortunate.
Wait—what?She never wanted to miss a chance to see her brother and Callum, and nearly exploded from excitement that Callum—that both of them—would be home.
Callum is only a family friend, she reminded herself.
She’d let go of her dreams of him years ago, and Dominic had treated her like a precious possession since the moment he’d swooped into her life.She’d never had to fight for Dominic’s attention.Never second-guessed what his intentions were.Dominic cared about her, wanted a future with her.Why shouldn’t they all meet?
“The thing you have to understand is,” Dominic continued, “the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.”He wrapped his arm over her shoulder and secured her close with a possessive hold.“It will definitely provide for a great life.”
The churning in her stomach intensified.Her family never shied away from public displays of affection.Dad and Mari snuggled, held hands, and did everything in their power to be near one another when lounging around the house.Theirs was a comfortable love.Terrific role models.Dominic’s hold on her now wasn’t comfortable.His arm around her shoulder was more a message to her brother and Callum than anything indicative of their relationship.
She wanted to inch away.She needed breathing room.But Dominic didn’t do breathing room.He’d barely let her catch her breath since they first met.Las Vegas and New York City.Fancy dinners and shopping.A declaration of love on their third date.Her boyfriend drove fast cars, owned a private plane, and lived life to its fullest.Now she was, too.
Callum’s face tightened.The muscles in his jaw twitched.He glared at Dominic’s hold.“How long did you say you’ve been dating?”
“A few weeks,” she managed.
“That’s pretty fast.”He took a pull from his longneck without taking his eyes off of her.
“Why waste time when it’s the right woman?”Dominic asked.
She blushed again and couldn’t hide her smile.This gorgeous man adored her.He’d offered her the world.Everything had been so right, so absolutely overwhelmingly amazing, that she couldn’t see how it could go wrong.
Hayden grunted his skepticism.
“Come on, boys, give the kids a break.”Dad flipped burgers on the grill.“We’re glad the timing worked so that everyone was here at once.”
Kids.Dominic was the same age as Grace.With a three-year age gap from Hayden and Callum, she would always be the youngest in her family.Three years might well have been a decade.Dominic’s important job and flashy lifestyle wouldn’t change that.
Her stepmom stepped outside with a bowl of potato salad.“Hayden, grab the watermelon from the counter.”
Callum took the bowl from her and set it on the table.“What else do you need help with?”
Flames licked from the grill as Dad shoveled the burgers onto buns.“Gracie, hold out the tray.”
She pulled away from Dominic and stepped next to her father.Heat radiated from the grill.Still, it was nice not to be pressed against someone in the summer swelter.
Everyone helped set the table except for Dominic.He was a guest, though, and new to their dynamic.Not that they were waiting on him, but more that he didn’t know how to lend a hand.
