Wow, maybe I was wrong. Perhaps he really is trying, but it's just too hard for him.
"I want to know your secret," I say with a smile, and he smiles back right away.
"My secret, huh?" He gives me a kiss, and I close my eyes. He always knows how to make me soften, even when I'm upset or angry. "I'll tell you my secret if you tell me where you were the day you dressed up like a real teacher, teacher." Dominic winks at me, and his sly smile expresses victory.
He had already asked me once about it, but I didn't answer. I told him that it didn't matter. It's not a secret, but I wanted him to think that maybe I really had a date. Maybe I was fantasizing that he would be jealous for real if he didn't know.
"Okay, but you're first," I finally agree, and it brings another satisfied smile on his face, this time even bigger.
"I haven't slept with anyone before you," he retorts.
For a couple of seconds, I simply stare at him, trying to process those words, but then I burst out laughing.
"Yeah, right, Dominic Astor is a virgin." I keep laughing as he looks at me.
"I'm serious, Serena, and I'm not talking about sex," he says, slightly offended, and I stop laughing. "I haven'tsleptwith anyone before, like, for real."
He hasn't slept with any other woman before me? Is he serious? And why should I believe him?
On the other hand, why would he lie? Through all this time that we’ve known each other, he’s never lied to me.
"But why did you stay with me that first night?" I ask the only question that comes to mind.
"Because I wanted to," he responds right away as if it's obvious. And before I can think any deeper about his words, he continues, "Now's your turn."
"I had a job interview that day," I confess. It's not like it was a secret. I simply wanted him to continue thinking that it was a date.
"You already have two jobs. How the hell would you manage the third one?" He raises his eyebrow and spreads out his hands as if in indignation.
"It's not fornow; it'safterschool ends," I explain, already knowing that he'll start to resent it.
"Will you be able to study and work right from the first year? That's quite hard, even for a nerd like you." He winks at me. I should be offended bynerd, but from Dom's lips, it sounds so sweet.
No, I won't study and work, and that's the reason I didn't want to tell anyone about it, especially my parents,I think but keep silent, lowering my gaze.
"Serena." Dominic's voice expresses concern, and he takes a seat next to me. "Are you attending UCLA, like you said before?"
This time I'm the one who shrugs. "I don't know."
"What does that mean?" He raises his voice, but not with irritation, more like worry.
"Dom, I need money for that." I force myself to look into his eyes again. "And I don't have it."
"But it’s your future! Get a loan," he insists, as if it was that easy. He's been rich his whole life; he has no idea what it’s like for the rest of us.
"It won't be enough." I exhale; this conversation is getting more complex with every word. "There's also housing and other stuff. It's too much."
For a few moments, we simply stare at each other, staying silent. And then he adds: "Don't agree to that job, not yet. I'll talk to my father about the loan."
It’s the first time he’s mentioned his family in our conversations. I don’t answer.
Chapter Eleven
Serena
"Merry Christmas, Serena," Dominic whispers into my mouth. His face is inches from mine.
We're sitting on the carpet in the living room next to the fireplace. We’re both wearing beautiful white robes with red Santa hats. Dominic presented me with this robe earlier. We're both naked underneath them. And both excitedly waiting for what Christmas night will bring us.