For the first time in days, I was laughing,
giggling, even.
Dom had finally managed to drag me out of the house.
He smirked as he drove,
throwing me a quick glance.
"You need this, Helen." He had told me over the phone.
I rolled my eyes, but before I could respond, he cracked another joke, and I burst into laughter so loud that tears welled up in my eyes.
"You won't believe what Mrs. Edwina said next!" he exclaimed, switching into an exaggerated version of her voice.
"I have done so much for the students, and it's not like I need the money that much."
His impression was spot-on, making it ten times funnier. I gasped for air between fits of laughter.
"Like she wouldn't have expelled us all in a heartbeat," I managed to say, wiping the corners of my eyes.
Dom scoffed, still in character.
"Don't say that!
I have given this school my all through and through!"
That did it. I doubled over, the laughter taking over, filling every empty space I had been carrying around for days.
Then, as I caught my breath, our eyes met.
For a moment, Dom held my gaze. His expression softened, and his grip on the steering wheel loosened just slightly, like he was allowing himself to fully take me in.
"School's been nothing without you," he admitted, his voice quieter now, more careful.
I swallowed, unsure of how to respond.
My fingers traced the edge of my dress as I turned to the window, letting the wind rush past my face.
"But anyway," he continued, breaking the silence,
"Mrs. Edwina will be glad to see you. She can't wait to tell you herself when you resume."
I glanced at him coyly, offering a small smile.
Dom pulled into a parking lot, and my eyes widened as I took in the elegant exterior of the building before us. An exquisite Italian restaurant.
"Dom..." I turned to him in shock.
He smirked.
"I wanted to take you to my favorite place."
"Food?" I teased, laughing as I unbuckled my seatbelt.
"Food is a love language, Helen. Trust me, Italian food is one of the best."
I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking against the pavement.
My long white gown hugged my frame perfectly, Dom had told me to "dress to kill, but be comfortable."
And looking at this place, he was right. It deserved the outfit.
He locked the car and stepped beside me, his presence warm and steady. As we walked in, he opened the door, letting me step inside first.
The restaurant was stunning.
The floors gleamed with polished tile, reflecting the warm ambient lighting.
At the far end, an open kitchen showcased chefs at work—slicing, stirring, plating—creating a mesmerizing display of culinary mastery.
"This is beautiful," I whispered, taking it all in.
A waitress approached us with a bright smile, greeting Dom by name.
He must be a regular.
She led us to a table for two, positioned perfectly in front of the open kitchen.
"What would you like today, ma'am?" she asked, turning to me.
Before I could answer,
Dom's gaze lingered on me, his lips curving into a knowing smile.
"We'll have my regulars. The exquisite ones."
I raised an eyebrow at him, but he simply leaned back in his chair, watching me.
As the waitress left, my eyes wandered back to the kitchen, watching the chefs.
There was something therapeutic about it, watching them work, the rhythmic chopping, the effortless precision of their movements.
"It really takes your mind off things," I murmured.
Dom nodded. "Exactly. You've been carrying a lot lately."
I turned to him, my expression softening. "How did you even find this place?"
He smirked. "I have shares here. And like I said, I love food. Found it once, and never left."
I let out a small laugh. "That's a lot."
"You should become a regular too." Dom offers
"I just might." I chuckle.
A waitress approached with a bottle of champagne.
She placed it on the table, the label catching my eye—Ca' del Bosco Cuvée Prestige.
I watched as she poured the golden liquid into our glasses before placing the bottle into an ice bucket.
"Your food will be here soon. Enjoy," she said with a polite nod before leaving.
Dom lifted his glass, taking a slow sip. I followed suit, first inhaling the aroma before letting the liquid touch my lips.
"Pear… vanilla… but there's something else." I swirled the drink on my tongue, trying to place the flavor.
"Almond," Dom said, watching me intently.
His gaze was unwavering. I felt it—
felt him seeing me in a way that made my heart do things I wasn't ready to name.
I cleared my throat, breaking eye contact. "It's nice. I like the rich taste."
"Want more?" he asked, tilting the bottle.
I shook my head, turning my gaze toward a family seated across the room, a father feeding his toddler while the mother ate her meal in peace.
A strange warmth settled in my chest.
What does that feel like?
Dom's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you looking forward to resuming?"
I smiled, tearing my gaze away from the family.
"I need to get out of that house, so yes, I am."
"I can imagine." He says, as his eyes averting,
Just then, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. The waitress approached with two steaming plates of pasta, a side of steak, and a small bowl of salad.
"This," Dom said, twirling the pasta with his fork, "is called Pasta Aglio e Olio in Italy."
I followed his lead, taking a bite. My eyes widened as the flavors hit my tongue.
"This is amazing, Dom."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Like it? You've sold me on this place! The food, the ambiance, the customer service,
it's all perfect!"
Dom chuckled. "You have good taste, then."
I cut into the steak, taking a bite. It was tender, perfectly cooked.
"Honestly, everything about this is a ten."
"I'm glad it's up to your standards."
Without thinking, I murmured,
"I might bring my family here."
I almost took it back. The words felt too raw, too close to something I wasn't ready to admit.
Dom followed my gaze to the family across the room.
He reached out, gently placing his hand over mine.
A jolt of warmth shot through me.
This time, I didn't pull away.
"Hey, look at me," he said softly.
"You've got me. And you've definitely got Sel."
I smiled at the mention of Sel.
"What?" he teased. "I've heard you call her that before."
We both laughed, a quiet, shared moment.
As we finish our plates,
the waitress comes over to clear them away, replacing them with a sleek glass bottle of sparkling water.
Tiny bubbles fizz and rise to the surface as she pours it into our glasses. The soft clink of glassware blends seamlessly with the low hum of conversation and the distant melody of the restaurant's background music.
I lean back in my chair, feeling full but content.
The food was exquisite, the soft, slow music and the ambiance is so soothing,
And the company… unexpectedly warm. I sense Dom's gaze on me, lingering just a second longer than before. It's like he's studying me, memorizing something about me.
Then he speaks, his voice low but clear.
"I'd love to take you out again."
I raise a brow, feigning surprise as I tilt my head slightly.
"Dom, I didn't know this was a date," I tease, lips curling into a smirk.
His expression flickers between amusement and something deeper, something unreadable.
"Really?" he muses, leaning slightly forward. "How about I take you on a proper one then?"
I chuckle softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Our eyes meet and hold, a silent conversation flowing between us.
"You actually want to do this again?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with shyness I hadn't expected.
Dom doesn't hesitate this time. He places his hands on the table, fingers just inches from mine, and leans in.
"Helen," he says, voice steady yet tinged with something vulnerable, "Would you love to go on a proper date with me?"
My heart flutters wildly in my chest. Butterflies?
No—this is a whole swarm. There's an unmistakable warmth creeping up my cheeks, a foolish smile tugging at my lips.
And then…
Dan.
His name crashes into my thoughts like a wave against the shore, dragging me under. The air around us shifts. My smile falters.
Dom notices instantly. His eyes search my face, concern creeping into his expression. "Hey… what's wrong?" His voice is softer now, careful.
I swallow, suddenly struggling to find words. "I… I don't think this is right," I stammer, averting my gaze to the untouched glass of water in front of me.
Dom frowns, confused. "Why not?"
I hesitate for a moment before finally saying it. "You're my brother's cousin."
There. The words are out. The weight of them hangs between us, thick and heavy.
Dom's expression shifts from confusion to something unreadable. His shoulders drop slightly, and he leans back in his chair.
For the first time since the night began, he seems at a loss for words. His mouth opens like he wants to say something, but nothing comes out.
Silence.
I grip my purse, fingers tightening around the strap as if holding onto something solid will ground me. The air between us has changed, charged with an unspoken tension.
I pull out my phone, tapping at the screen in distraction.
"I'll take an Uber home," I say, barely above a whisper, already scrolling through the app.
Dom finally finds his voice.
"Helen," he says, and I look up. His gaze is steady, unwavering. "I'll take you home."
There's something in the way he says it.
A quiet certainty. A finality that leaves no room for protest.
He exhales, shaking his head slightly, as if trying to clear his thoughts.
"This doesn't change anything," he adds.
My heart stirs again, betraying me.