“Alright, I’ll be back by dinner time.” She rushes towards me and grabs on to my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “You go on ahead.”
“Alright.” She backs away from me, pressing her knuckles to the corners of her eyes. “Gonna ruin my bloody makeup.”
“Well don’t do that on my account.”
She laughs. “Alright then, I’m off.” She heads to the front door. “Dom, I’m off! No funny business while I’m gone!”
“Right you are!” He responds from somewhere in the flat.
The door slams shut behind Char, and Dom comes padding down the hallway, dressed in slouchy jeans and a white t-shirt, his feet bare.
“I like you like this,” I say with a smile.
“Like what?” He asks as he heads into the kitchen.
“You know, casual. You’re always in a suit, but like this I can imagine you on holiday.”
He chuckles as he sets about making tea. “Now, now, you, Charlotte said no funny business.”
“I can still have a little perv on my boyfriend can’t I?”
Dom’s eyes shoot in my direction, and he blinks before letting out an awkward laugh. “Bit old to be a boyfriend, aren't I?”
“No. Never.” I stretch out my legs, and Tank settles down on my lap. “Besides, that’s what you are, isn’t it?”
Dom’s silence sets something inside me at unease. I watch him closely as he tucks his hands into his jeans, and ambles towards me, his eyes fixed on the floor. With a heavy sigh, he collapses on the couch beside me.
“Love, listen,” he says, reaching out to take my hand. “I’m worried things are moving too fast with us.”
“Too fast?” I frown at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I just mean…” He still won’t look at me, his eyes fixed on our joined hands. “What if… what if what just happened to you is my fault, ey? What if this,this,between us, what if that caused it?”
“You think someone set my house on fire because we’re together?”
He shifts in his seat, and shrugs. “I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“Dom, look at me.” I reach out to stroke his cheek when he doesn’t. “Look at me.”
He finally lifts his eyes to mine.
“You really think pushing me away is going to keep me safe?” A crooked smile tugs at my lips. “Is that what you want?”
He shakes his head, taking a hold of my hand and pressing my palm to his lips. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know. You’re afraid. Believe me, waking up in that smoky house scared me a little too.”
Dom’s face crumples and he grips my hand harder, like he’s trying to somehow fit me under his skin. “I was so fucking scared, driving to that hospital.”
“I believe it. Anyone would be scared with that happening to someone they care about.” I reach out and stroke my hand through his hair. “But we can’t take back what happened. It’s out now, and whatever that means, wherever this leads, I’m only doing it with you. Alongside you. Because for better or worse, you’re the one I want to be with. I’ve done all this life, all this living, on my own. And with you, for the first time, I don’t feel alone. I’m not going to let fear take that away.”
“Fuck,” Dom mutters, and gathers me in his arms, a protesting Tank groaning as he slips from my lap. “I’m sorry. I’m a fool.”
“You’re not. I promise.” I snuggle into the crook of his neck and breathe in his cologne.
He strokes his fingertips over my head with a sigh. “They’re saying things about you. In the press.”
