Relief floods through me. “Really? You don’t think it needs more work?”
“It’s solid. Professional, thorough, and addressing a real need in the market.” He hands my phone back to me. “You should send it.”
“Now?” I ask, my voice pitching higher with anxiety.
“Why wait? You’ve clearly put in the work. The worst they can say is no.”
I stare at my phone, at the email that represents so much more than just a business proposal. It’s a chance to prove myself, to build something meaningful. It’s also terrifying.
“What if they hate it?” I whisper.
Dom reaches across the table and takes both my hands in his. “Then you find someone else who gets it. But they won’t hate it. It’s too good.”
His confidence in me is both touching and empowering. I take a deep breath and, before I can talk myself out of it again, hit send.
“I did it,” I breathe, staring at the confirmation message as if I can’t quite believe it.
Dom grins and refills our wine glasses. “That deserves a toast.” He raises his glass. “To taking chances.”
“To taking chances,” I echo, clinking my glass against his.
The wine tastes even better now, rich with possibility and the sweet relief of action after hesitation. We finish our drinks in companionable silence, both looking out at the city lights.
“Want to see the view from the edge?” Dom asks, standing and offering me his hand. I take it without hesitation, allowing him to lead me to the rooftop’s perimeter. From here, Los Angeles stretches out in all directions, a vast sea of twinkling lights against the dark canvas of night. The air is cooler now, and I shiver slightly in my dress.
Dom notices immediately, slipping off his button-down to reveal a fitted t-shirt underneath. He drapes the shirt around my shoulders, his hands lingering there. The fabric is warm from his body and smells like him—like clean laundry and subtle cologne.
“Better?” he asks, his voice low and close to my ear.
“Much,” I murmur, turning to face him.
We’re standing so close now that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. The string lights cast a golden glow across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his lips. His dark hair looks almost bronze. His hands move from my shoulders to my waist, gently pulling me closer.
“Nicole,” he says, my name soft on his lips.
“Yes?” I breathe, already knowing what comes next, already wanting it with an intensity that surprises me.
“I’m really glad you sent me that meme.”
I laugh, but my entire body warms at the realization that somehow, even my most embarrassing moments feel safe with him.
Dom lowers his head and captures my lips with his once more. The kiss is so sweet, so tender, and the best thing in the entire world.
I lean into him, my hands sliding up his chest to his shoulders. His arms tighten around me, drawing me closer as the kiss deepens. I taste chocolate and wine and something uniquely Dom. I feel the solid warmth of him against me, steady and sure. The city continues to buzz below us, but in this moment, the entire world has narrowed to just this rooftop, just this man.
Against his lips, I smile, thinking of Nora’s teasing comment about wedding bells. I’d never admit it to her, but in this perfect moment, with Dom’s arms around me, it doesn’t seem like such a ridiculous idea after all.
Chapter Twenty
Dominic
I can’t stop smiling. It’s been a full day since our rooftop dinner, and I’m still riding that high. Every few minutes, I catch myself grinning at nothing like some lovesick teenager.
It’s embarrassing, really.
But every time I try to get my face under control, I remember the way Nicole looked under those string lights, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her housing project, the way her lips felt against mine.
And just like that, I’msmiling all over again.
