Chapter 26
"Domino"
The dining room remained low and quiet, just enough to remind me of my surroundings. Staff moved in and out silently, practically invisible unless someone was actively looking for them. I was sitting in my usual chair, with my back straight and hands resting near my untouched plate. I heard Ajori before I saw her. She entered the room like she wasn’t trying not to be seen.
That was the issue… she didn’t have to try.
The dress she wore was a simple, off-shoulder, soft fabric, falling mid-thigh; nothing loud or flashy, yet it achieved its purpose perfectly—revealing just enough, hiding just enough, and making a man think about the rest. I kept my eyes forward, not turning, not greeting her, not acknowledging her at all.
She took her seat three chairs down, close enough to feel her presence but far enough to pretend I wasn’t paying attention. Alejandro and Marcos were talking about work, discussing docks, numbers, and problems that needed solving. I heard it all, but my focus wasn’t as sharp as usual; it kept slipping toward Ajori.
I let my eyes drift down the table to her, but not quickly enough. She caught it. For a moment, we shared a look that said everything we weren’t saying. I looked away first because that was how I kept control. Then I heard the light clink of a glass.
“I didn’t really know what to expect coming here,” Ajori said, her voice light but steady. “Definitely not meeting my father. I came for one reason and somehow ended up with so much more. The love and hospitality here is everything.”
Her eyes dropped to her glass for a brief second before lifting again.
“I won’t lie. I still wake up and think this is all a dream… like I’m waiting for something to go wrong… but hopefully not.”
She lifted her glass slightly. “Here’s to second chances.”
Alejandro smiled. “To new beginnings.”
I didn’t raise my glass, speak, or join in. But under the table, my leg bounced a few times until I locked it still.
Get it together.
Alejandro shifted slightly in his chair, facing Ajori. “I have a special event that I’ll be attending this weekend, and I’ll be takingyouas my plus one.”
I sighed, already knowing what he was referring to.
Ajori twisted her face up cutely. “Me?”
“Yes.”
“What about Lainey and Kyrin?”
“Lainey is welcome to come,” Alejandro added, glancing briefly in her direction, “but your brother will have to stay here for this one. There will be a lot of people… a lot of attention. It’s not the kind of environment for him. I’d rather he be somewhere comfortable.”
Ajori’s expression tightened just a little. “I understand. And no disrespect, but I don’t trust easily when it comes to him. Not because I think anything would happen, but because I’ve always had to be the one making sure nothing does.”
Alejandro nodded slowly, not offended. “I respect that… and you should. But he won’t be with ‘just anybody.’ He’ll be here… in this house… with people who answer tome.”
He glanced briefly around the table.
“He’ll be safe.”
That wasn’t a suggestion; that was a promise.
Before Ajori could respond, Lainey blurted, “I’ll stay back with Kyrin, friend! It’s cool. We’ll order food, watch movies… probably eat too much. He’ll be good. Besides, y’all need that father-daughter time anyway.”
Kyrin chimed in. “As long as there’s snacks involved, I’m not complaining.”
Ajori glanced between them, still unsure, but she nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Then she looked back at Alejandro.
“But I don’t have anything to wear for something like that. Nothing… fancy.”
