“And Haley, I want you to take some when you leave for Boston. Something to remember me by, even though you hate me so much you’re leaving me.” I stick out my tongue and she smacks my arm.
“Love you, too,” she says.
The oven beeps, cutting off Haley’s protest. Everyone hurries to the indoor table that’s already set, and I serve the casserole.
There is silence as everyone shovels food into their mouths, only stopping to wash it down with alcohol.
Dom helps me clean up while everyone else hangs out in the living room. He presses a kiss to my neck as I hand him the last rinsed dish to place in the dishwasher. A devious grin tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“What?” I laugh softly, and kiss the back of his neck from behind him as he closes the door of the dishwasher.
“You’re just so beautiful.” He turns around so our faces touch and wraps his arms around my waist, tugging my hips against his.
I clear my throat, preparing myself to ask him to meet Charlotte. Letting out a deep breath, I say, “I was thinking you could meet Charlotte soon.”
A smile forms so wide on Dom’s face that his top lip curls up, and his dimple on the right side appears. “There’s a community thing going on at the S.W.A.T. building this weekend. I was gonna tell you to bring Charlotte to check it out. Even if you didn’t want me to meet her. I could have stayed back.
“It’s so fun though. The helicopter will be there, some horses, and the tactical tank. And there will be a cotton candy machine, popcorn, and a bounce house.”
A lump forms in my throat at the kind gesture, the thought of Dom thinking my girl would have a fun time and wanting to invite her. I move my hands to rest on his chest. “I think that is the perfect way to meet. She will love it, and it’s no pressure.”
“Thank you.” He kisses my lips, then each cheek, and my lips again. “I’m so happy you want me to meet her.”
“Do you think after, the three of us could go out for dinner?” I ask, my hands gripping his shirt as he moves his mouth to my ear.
“Definitely.” He nods, eagerly. “God, I really hope she likes me.”
I chuckle, and kiss his cheek, then I move my arms to around his neck. Dom’s hands go to my ass and he picks me up and spins us so my back is against the counter. Dropping me onto the marble, I open my legs and he steps between my thighs. His hands rest on them, his mouth peppering kisses all over my chest and face. “If she likes Lisa, I have a feeling you’ll be fine.”
“Lisa?” He asks. He pulls his head away to look at me.
“Matt’s new girl. She’s an asshole. A slimy little snake.” I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to not let the anger rise up and ruin this sweet moment.
“What did she do?” His hands cup either side of my face, and his thumb strokes my cheek. I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, my heart beating fast. His concern for me is always overwhelming.
Matt loved me, and I was sure he still did, but Dom is in love with me. He makes sure he kisses every inch of me whenever he can, and he reads me like an open book. Dom always knows something is wrong just by looking at me, and he can hear what I need, just from the tone of my voice. His concern for me over Lisa just adds to the fire in my stomach. He runs his thumb lovingly along my cheekbones, and I decide to trust him.
“The first night I met her,” I explain, my voice grows rough, as agitation fills me, and I remember back. “It was the night I came over, after we hooked up at the bar. She was an asshole. Made it clear she had no interest in getting to know me. I have this fucked up fantasy that we would all co-parent together. It seems so naïve, but I always wanted us to, I don’t know? All of us get along. All I want is for Charlotte to be happy. I don’t care about who Matt’s with, but she made it clear that she would stop the Sunday brunches if he ever proposes.”
“Is that likely? Matt’s not known her that long, has he?
“He’s about to. He told me yesterday he is going to marry her. I’m happy if he is. Happy if Charlotte is okay with it, but it’s just all about to end. And, if I talk to Lisa, like ever, she twists my words and makes me out to be the asshole. Of course, Matt believes her. It’s just… it’s so much.”
Dom does what he does best. He reads me. His eyes are heavy as he glances over my body, and then meets mine again. His hands move from my face and slide around my back, and he pulls me into one of his amazing hugs. Dom holds me tightly, and I smell his fresh ocean scent as I bury my nose in his chest. He holds me until I relax and melt against him. He always knows what I need from him. Maybe it’s because he’s making up for lost time, so he tries harder.
“Lisa’s true colors will show,” he promises, and his lips brush against the top of my head. “They will. Be patient.”
“At what expense? Charlotte’s?”
“I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could fix it. But I promise I will do everything I can. I’ll be cordial and I’ll try to be friends with Matt, if that’s what you want. Anything you want, I’ll do. Because, do you know what? If you’re happy, I’m happy. All I want is to see your beautiful smile. Forever and always.”
“You always know how to make me feel better.”
Mac’s feet stomp into the kitchen, and he catches us in our embrace and groans. “You two almost done so we can get this charades game rolling? I got a tight ass I need to get in my bed, soon.”
I roll my eyes and hop down from the counter. “It’s a wonder your dick hasn’t fallen off, with all those tight asses that fall in your bed.”
Dom grabs my hand as we head out of the kitchen, and pulls me along while I shuffle behind him. I hate charades.