“Go get him!” She mouthed, pointing frantically toward Dominic, who was already at the door.
I dropped the papers. I didn’t need to think. I just wanted to feel him hold me again.
“Dominic!” I shouted, rushing up from behind and half jumping to hug him. I caught him on the front sidewalk. He turned just in time to catch me in his arms. The door was still open behind us, leaking warm yellow light into the snowy night. I should’ve been cold, but I barely felt it.
I was crying like crazy and I had no idea why. I was happy–not sad. “I missed you,” I said into his chest.
He pulled me in to him, wrapping me in his warmth. “I missed you, too.”
“I’m sorry I had security drag you out,” I gushed. “Charleston told me it was a real boss bitch move, but I felt really guilty about it. I’m sorry I slammed the door on you, too. That was sort of a reflex.”
“Hey, hey,” he said, shushing me and running his hand down my hair. “I’m the one apologizing here. I deserved all that shit, okay?”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and sank into him. It felt so good. It was almost like I could feel my life suctioning back together–as if it had fragmented into thousands of pieces without me fully realizing it. I’d been more lost than I knew, and Dominic’s arms felt like home.”
“If we do this,” I said, “I’m your girlfriend. Okay?”
He laughed. The sound was deep and low, rumbling through my chest.
“We never made it official last time. This time, it’s officially official. I’m parading you around at parties and stuff. You’ll hold my hand in public. And you’ll kiss me and say something nice when you leave the house.”
He pulled back, grinning. “The house? Are you moving in with me?”
“Um, well,” I said. “I just quit my job and my lease is up in a week. If I don’t move in with you, you’ll have to come see me here.”
He fished in his pocket and produced a key.
I took it, tucking it into my palm and biting my lip. “You sure you want me to move in with you? I’m a super messy cook. I’ll use every pot and pan you have just to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
I looked around us and held my palm out, catching a few snowflakes. “You know, this whole moment reminds me of the ending ofSnowy With a Chance of Love.”
“It better. I watched that thing like twenty times to make sure I got my apology right.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You what?”
“I knew you liked the movie. I figured it was a smart place to do my research on properly apologizing.”
“I can’t decide if I should be mad that you saw through me so well.”
“You should be flattered, is what you should be.”
“Is that right?” I asked. I tugged on the lapels of his overcoat, pulling myself closer and kicking one leg up. “I’ll be flattered if you can kiss me as good as Salem kisses Sabrina.”
“Will you settle for better?” he asked, cupping my face. His hand was warm enough to make me want to melt into a puddle.
I nodded, eyes locked on his.
Dominic brought his lips to mine and kissed me softly. I gasped against his mouth, tilting my chin back and letting him kiss me deeper. Our tongues slowly touched and I pulled back, biting my lip as goosebumps raced across my skin. They had nothing to do with the cold. “That wasn’t bad. But, I’m going to have to ask you to keep practicing. On me. Multiple times per day.”
He smirked. “We’re moving kind of fast. I don’t know, Darcy. I think I’m getting cold feet.”
I punched him in the chest and took the key, pointing a warning finger up at him. “My heart is very fragile. You’re not allowed to even joke about breaking it again. Understand?”
He nodded. “No more jokes. But you never told me which option you want to choose from the folder.”
“Oh, about that…”