“I’m definitelynota big deal … or if I am, it’s probably not in a good way.” I laugh, wishing my cheeks would stop flaming. I brush the strands of hair from my face, happy that I can’t see myself right now.
IknowI look like a mess.
Dom teeters back to his heels, his eyes suddenly everywherebuton me. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Ah.” I laugh dryly. “So youdolive under a rock, then.” I’m pretty sure he might be trying to spare my feelings.
Dom shrugs. “I prefer it thatway.”
I blink a few times and then shake my head. “Anyway, can I make you a coffee or something? I mean, since you’re here, I got this new espresso machine…” I give him the most pitiful smile, and I don’t know why I’m so desperate for him to stay.
It’s obviouslynotbecause he’s crazy hot or smirking at me in a way that makes my stomach knot up.
Nope, that’s not at all why.
“Um, you know…” Dom’s voice trails off. “I actuallydon’tdrink coffee this late. It’ll keep me up all night, and I have an early practice tomorrow.”
“Oh.” My voice drops, but I keep the smile plastered on my face to hide my disappointment. “That’s totally fine.” I wave him off. “I don’t know what I was even thinking to offer—”
“I’ll take a water, though,” he cuts me off, his expression softening.
“Done!” I jump on the word in a way that makes me inwardly cringe. “Do you want still or sparkling?”
Dom stares at me for a hot minute. “Uh … still?”
“You got it! Take a seat.” I gesture to the couch. “Put your feet up.Oh, and don’t be mad at me if you get dog hair on your pants. Cocoa isn’t supposed to shed, but he totally does.”
Dom’s dark eyes flicker with amusement as he plops down on the couch. “Gotcha.”
I leave him in the living room and bolt for the kitchen, mentally rehearsing how not to spill anything, trip, or reference the weird half-flirting that keeps happening. I mean, itisflirting …right?
I grab a glass from the cabinet, double-checking to make sure that there’s not any dust on it. I don’t want to give Dominic Neelson the ick after already warning him about dog hair problems.
Carefully, I fill the glass from the filtered pitcher and add three ice cubes.Is that enough ice? Should I add more?My hands hover over the ice tray.Ugh. Why am I overthinking a glass of water?
I shake it off. It literally doesn’t matter. It’sjustwater.I’ve totally got this.
I step back into the sitting room, water in hand, and my eyes slip to him and Cocoa. Dom points a finger, and Cocoa instantly obeys, sitting at his feet. “Well, you made that look easy. Cocoa usually only ever listens to food or threats.”
Dom shrugs, but there’s a flash of pride as he ruffles Cocoa’s fur. “He’s smart. Just in desperate need of boundaries.”
“Says the guy who just walked into my apartment unannounced,” I blurt out.
He glances up at me, and I catch a crooked smile there, like he’s not used to smiling but suddenly can’t stop himself. “I guess now we’re even.”
My cheeks are on fire again. “Ha, yeah, I guess we are.”
I set the glass of water on the coffee table, then immediately pick it up again and hand it to Dominic directly, because I’m totally a better host than that.
“Thank you…” He gives me a funny look as he takes the glass.
“So, you’re good with dogs?” I sound like I don’t know how to speak, but at this point, I don’t even care anymore. I plop down into the armchair adjacent to him.
“I think I spent more time with dogs than I did people growing up,” Dom says as he scratches behind Cocoa’s ear. “I’m not exactly the best with the human species.”
“Well, I’d say that’s something we both have in common.” I let out a sigh, sinking further into my seat. “Plus, everyone in LA is too busy broadcasting themselves to notice anyone else.”
“Right? I’ve never felt more …invisible.”
