“Thanks again,” I said. “For storing it, I mean. That’s a really kind thing for you to do.”
“Say nothing of it,” he said. “It’s hardly like I was using the space. And if it means I get an extra visit with Dominick every now and then, all the better.”
We parted ways, and Dominick brought me over to the garage door. We paused in front of it, and I saw that the sun was slipping behind the trees. The shadows were long, and they brought even more of a chill to the air.
“Are you doing okay?” he asked, catching my eye. “You look a bit distracted.”
I shook my head and rubbed my hands across my arms. “No, I’m good. The walk really did clear my head.”
“Except…” he said, prompting me.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to place the feeling that had lingered since we arrived. A long moment passed, and I saw that Dominick was giving me the space to think.
“Just thinking of my father,” I said.
He nodded slowly, then rested his hand on my arm. He gave me a firm squeeze, but we didn’t need to say any more than that. Somehow, I knew he understood.
“Anyway,” I said, breaking through the silence of the mountains. “Let’s take a look at that machine, right?”
Dominick nodded and pulled the door of the garage up. I could see the muscles of his shoulders, taut through his dress shirt, as he heaved the door up. When he turned back to me, he had that satisfied smile on his face again, even though his eyes still looked worn and tired from the trip. “One Zing Machine, coming up,” he joked.
I stepped with him into the garage. The Zing Machine was right in the middle, placed on the cement floor with generous space on all sides. There were boxes lining the walls and some old bicycles tucked against the back wall, but for the most part, the garage was clean and organized.
Without thinking, I grabbed Dominick’s hand. “When you suggested coming out here, I thought it sounded nice,” I said. “But I never imagined I would be so glad to see this old hunk of metal.”
I walked to the machine, pulling Dominick along with me. It was the same as it had ever been, with the exact brown spots where the sugar burnt its mark over the years and the scratches along the conveyor belt from years of use. I reached out with my free hand and pushed the end, causing the press to lower slightly. The metal was cool against my hand but somehow comforting.
“I wish you could have seen the old neighborhood,” I said. “When Mrs. Meyer was still tending her garden and Jack still ran the Zing Machine four days a week.” I turned to face Dominick and blinked back the memories. “I know it’s nothing like million-dollar realty and Manhattan skylines, but it was still pretty special.”
“I wish I could have seen it, too,” he said. “And trust me, those things aren’t as different as you think. All people really want is to feel an honest sense of connection. People crave the feeling you get from a neighborhood spot like yours, somewhere with a unique character. That’s why your shop is so successful in the first place, after all.”
I let go of his hand and turned to face him. The light was shining through the open garage door, and outside, I heard the evening birdsong begin. “You know, you’re not totally out of trouble yet. I’m still upset about the garden. Not that you couldn’t take care of it, but that you forgot about me.” He opened his mouth to apologize or try to explain, but I held my hand in the air to stop him. “You’re not out of troubleyet,” I clarified, “but you’re a lot closer.”
Dominick let out a puff of air, then shot me a smile. “Thank god. Because I’m pretty goddamn exhausted.”
I stepped forward and pressed my hand against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat, steady as a clock. “Then you should rest,” I said. “Won’t your driver get back from his walk soon?”
“He will,” Dominick said, placing his hand on my shoulder and rubbing it slightly.
“Then we should go back to Denver,” I said. “Get you in bed.”
He pursed his lips together, suppressing a smile. “Oh yeah?”
I stepped closer again and pressed my face against his chest. That feeling from before came over me, like I was pulled into his strength and held by the heat of his body. It was the feeling I had been craving all day, but finally, I was prepared to let myself feel it. “My guy has had a long day of work,” I said. “I’ll give you a back rub and make you a cup of tea.”
“That sounds nice,” he answered, and I felt the rumble of his chest against my cheek.
“Don’t get me wrong,” I purred. “I’m not up for any play.”
I felt him nodding, and the rough texture of his beard rubbed against the top of my head. “I understand.”
I looked up, catching his eye. “But you’ll still want me to come over?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said. “It sounds like a dream.”
“Good,” I answered as a smile warmed my face. I batted my eyelashes, finally comfortable enough to feel a little flirtatious. “Now kiss me, Dominick. I’ve been thinking about your kiss all weekend.”
He leaned down and took my face in his hands. Without another word, he brushed his lips across my own once, then twice. I let out a soft whimper, and my body trembled into his embrace.
And just like that, the world started to make sense again.
