“It is. Do you think we can go out back?” I motion toward the door and he nods. Dom kisses Eileen, who tells me she’ll make sure to stay with Holly.
Holly, who glued herself to Delaney’s side, making it near impossible for me to focus on the task tonight. I wanted to pull out my phone and snap picture after picture of the two of them together so I have something to look at when Delaney’s back in California.
Dominic follows me into the back room, shutting the door behind him. “Is this about you calling Delaney up to sit on your lap? I gotta say, Fisher, that was a bit creepy.”
“My note said she was next. I was following the list.”
“Right, okay. So what do you want to talk about?”
“Well… your sister, actually.”
“What about her?”
“I think I’m falling in love with her?”
“Is that so?”
I nod and start pacing the room. “Ever since I pulled her over, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. It didn’t matter where I went, she was there, like this beacon begging me to follow.”
“So follow her,” Dominic says as if it’s so easy.
“What if I can’t exist in her world?”
“Then she’ll exist in yours. Listen, Fisher, I may joke around a lot and may have teased you about my sister, but I have never seen her look at someone the way she looks at you. She’s ridiculously smitten and makes gaga eyes anytime your name is brought up.”
“But she lives in California.”
Dominic nods. “She does, but she can live anywhere and so can you. Thing is, love is supposed to bridge gaps and all that. Just try it and see how things go.”
“It’s a risk. Holly is already attached.”
Dominic comes closer, putting his hand on my shoulder. “Waking up, driving, taking a shower – all risks we’re willing to take each and every day. If you don’t jump, you’ll second-guess your decision for the rest of your life.”
“You’re right,” I say with relief.
“Of course I am, but wait… I thought you and Shelby—”
I shake my head. “No, only friends, but I haven’t done a very good job relaying my feelings to her. I will though, for everyone’s sake.”
“Do me a favor, Fisher.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t hurt her.” Dominic doesn’t wait for me to respond before he opens the door and leaves. I follow behind, intent on finding Holly so we can leave, only to run right into Shelby. I suppose now is as good a time as ever.
“We need to talk, Shelby.”
“Oh?” Her eyes light up and instantly I feel like a cad.
“Look, our girls get along really well, but you and I can’t be anything more than friends.”
“Oh… I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“I know, I just—”
“You’re in love with Delaney. Everyone knows it, I had just hoped I was more your speed.”
“You probably would be, if things were different.”