Page 29 of Graves

I wave goodbye as we step out into the hallway and make our way to the elevator. Dom’s arm slides around my waist seamlessly as we ride down, before getting out and making our way to his car.

The drive to the restaurant goes by fast, and soon we are sitting at a fancy white-clothed table with soft music playing all around and the best view of Puget Sound in front of us. An entire bottle of white wine, two lobster tails, and one crème brulée later, I’m handing my plate to the waiter while Dom stares at me.

“What?” I say with a small smile.

“I just am…surprised,” he says cryptically.

I lean toward him and rest my head in my hand.

“By?”

“You.”

“In a good or bad way?” I tease.

“I haven’t decided yet,” he says seriously.

His words cause my smile to fall slightly. I lean back into my chair before sitting up a little straighter.

“Okay, what’s going on? You’re acting weird. If you’re gonna break up with me, don’t you know it’s best to do it when you drop me off so there isn’t the whole awkward ride home thing?” I laugh hollowly.

He lets out a short huff, like the very idea is ridiculous, as he shakes his head and stares off into the distance. It takes a moment for his eyes to come back to me, but when they do, they seem to be more clouded and confused than ever.

“I’d never. Blake, I didn’t take you out tonight because Iwanted to end things. I wanted to take you on a date, a proper one. One that you deserved. You deserve far more than I could ever possibly give you, but I’m going to try to be worthy, always.”

A small bit of relief passes through my chest as I relax.

“Okay, now you’re sounding more like you’re gonna propose to me, which would be insane.”

“Would it?” he asks curiously.

“Uh, yeah?” I laugh. “We’ve known each other for like two months.”

He nods like that makes sense before he knocks his knuckles against the table like he’s made up his mind about something.

“Alright, I guess you’ll just have to move in with me then.”

“Excuse me?” I blink.

“Well, I respect the fact that you’re not ready to get married, and despite my failed attempts, you don’t seem to be ready to move to San Diego either. So I’ll have to settle with you moving into my apartment.”

I’m speechless at the matter-of-fact tone carrying his words. Does he expect me to just bow to his every command? Does he think that just because the time that we’ve spent together has been some of the happiest of my life that I’m just going to bend and twist to fit whatever desires he deems necessary?

“No,” I say.

His head turns to the side slightly at that as he frowns.

“No?”

“Yeah, no,” I huff, shaking my head at the beautiful yet stupid man in front of me.

“Why?” he counters.

“Why?” I scoff. “B-because we just met, we just started dating. Living together, that’s such a…big step, and what if things don’t work out? I’m on the street? Again? I can’t do that. I won’t do that. I like you, but I can’t put myself at risk, and I?—”

I don’t even realize Dom is out of his chair until he’s by my side, kneeling, his hands cupping my cheeks as his eyes search my face like he’s looking for something.

“Baby, I would never let anything happen to you. If you didn’t want to be with me anymore, we would figure it out together. You’ll never be without a home again, I promise. Even more so, there is no possibility in this fathomable universe where you and I aren’t together until the end of time. You’re mine, Blake, and I’ll never let you go.”

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