Page 52 of Graves

Once I’m rinsed off, I grab the shirt I threw on the ground which, now that I look at it more closely, I recognize it as Zayden’s, before I cautiously slip out of the bedroom.

When I step into the bright kitchen, a strong smell of bacon and something sweet fills my senses. There also seems to be a brand-new vase filled with daffodils on the island, and just the sight of the beautiful flower has my heart squeezing.

A muscular back is turned to me, and when those deep brown eyes land on my own, my stomach does a little flip. He gives me a soft yet hesitant smile that makes my heart hurt. In the wake of the insane night I had, I had almost forgotten about the other morning. What I said to Dominic and how I hated myself for saying it. Obviously, I should hate him, but if I can fuck Zayden, then what’s stopping me from at least talking to Dominic, right?

“Hi,” I say softly.

“Good morning.” He nods.

I stand awkwardly in place as his eyes flick down to myshirt, his jaw clenching in response, which makes me feel like shit. I’ve never been one for good timing, either, because I’m blurting out my words in the next moment. “I slept with Zayden.”

Dominic just stares at me as I continue to speak.

“I mean, on purpose this time. Well, kind of not. The first time I was kind of against it but kinda not, and then the second time I initiated it. But I honestly think I need a lobotomy because who willingly sleeps with their stalker? Someone who wants to end up as a lampshade, that’s who.” I laugh hollowly to myself before shaking my head.

“Why are you telling me this?” Dominic asks impassively.

Something about his nonchalance bothers me, which is completely unfair and gross of me, but it does. I shrug in response, and he nods before turning around, focusing back on the food he’s cooking.

“I know.”

I frown at that. Zayden told him? What a fucking asshole. Did he come home and rub it in his brother’s face?

“I’m sorry,” I say softly.

He turns to look over his shoulder at me.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Because shouldn’t I be sorry? I mean, I slept with your brother and?—”

“And you broke up with me. You’re single and free to see whomever you deem worthy.”

I look down at the floor, not sure what else to say, when suddenly Dominic is in front of me, his hand cuppingmy jaw and tilting my face up to his.

“Are we broken up, Blake?” he asks.

I open my mouth, not sure how to respond, as he continues.

“Because I would very much like us not to be. I would love to be able to say that you’re still mine, but I also understand that I lost that privilege, and it’s completely understandable if you choose not to see me anymore.”

I frown at that, a sour feeling twisting my stomach.

“I don’t want that.”

I feel his thumb gently brushing against my cheek as he gives me a sad smile.

“Me neither. So? Are you mine? Can we start all of this over?”

“No more lies?” I ask.

He hesitates just for a moment before he nods.

“No more lies.”

I let out a soft breath as I nod.

“I’ve missed you,” I say as his lips crush against my own.

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