Page 157 of Illusory

A wry smile tugged at his lips. “That’s a first.”

I let out a watery chuckle and playfully swatted his chest.

He laughed before turning serious again. “I told you that I wasn’t going to take from you anymore and I meant what I said, Jemma. I know how important he is to you, and I’ll never ask you to break your own heart and choose.”

The tears I’d been poorly holding back finally gave way and trickled down my cheeks. I wasn’t sure what to think about what he’d just said to me or how I was ever going to digest any of it, but I couldn’t escape the sense of calm that washed over me then, like maybe there would be some sunshine in my future after all.

“Thank you for this, and for giving me the best birthday present I could ever wish for,” I said as he pulled me into his arms and held me. “I’m pretty sure nothing will ever be able to top this day.”

“Just make sure you remember to mention it to Goldi when you go on his date,” he said as he pulled back with a smile and then kissed me on the mouth, long and hard. “He’s waiting for you downstairs.”

* * *

I couldn’t quite shake the mix of anticipation and anxiety that settled low in my belly the moment I left Trace in my room and set off in search of Dominic. The knot in my stomach seemed to tighten with each step I took. Luckily, I didn’t have to go far to find him. He was standing at the bottom landing of the staircase, dressed in his pressed black pants and a black button-up shirt, looking as decadent as the first day I saw him.

As soon as my eyes landed on him, the knot in my stomach unraveled, replaced by a warm flutter. I paused a few steps away from him to admire the sight.

“Hello, angel.” His mouth curled into a lopsided grin as he held out his hand for me, his eyes roving over my body as he took in the dress he had bought for me. “You look positively ethereal.”

My stomach warmed as I took his hand and descended the last remaining stairs. “Thank you for this,” I said, glancing down at my couture gown, feeling like Cinderella about to be taken to the ball. “It’s beautiful.”

“Did you enjoy your evening with Romeo?” he asked as he led us into the front foyer where he helped me into my coat.

“It was one of the best presents anyone has ever given me,” I said and then grabbed his arm to stop him as we stepped out into the crisp night air together. Reaching up on my toes, I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled his mouth down to mine.

He hesitated for a beat as though I’d stunned him before his hands quickly snaked around my waist and fastened me to his body, kissing me back with the same heat and fervor that I was giving him. When I finally pulled back, his brows knitted together as he searched my face for an explanation.

“Not that I mind in the slightest, but whatever was that for?” he asked, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear and making my skin tingle all over.

“For getting the Veilbreaker Stone.”

A small divot appeared between his brows as he shot a glare towards the house. “He told you.”

“He did,” I confirmed with a warm smile, my eyes never leaving his. “I don’t know what was more touching—the fact that I got to see my father on my birthday, or that the two of you worked together to make that happen for me.”

His eyes were back on me, still holding fast to his annoyance. “I appreciate the sentiment, angel, but we both know he would have gotten that stone for you had he not been in the throes of bloodlust.”

“Yes, but hewasin the throes of bloodlust. And you got it for him,” I said, not letting him get away with downplaying what he’d done. I knew that he’d done it for me—because he loved me with the kind of love they wrote novels about—but in a way, it felt like he’d done it for Trace too.

“It was nothing, angel. I had a favor that I called in. It’s as simple as that.”

“Another favor, huh?” I quirked my brow at him. “Exactly how many people owe you favors, anyway?”

“More than I care to count.”

“Since when are you so generous?”

“Strategic,” he corrected, his boyish charm returning in full force. “You never know when you’ll need the help of a friend or foe.”

“Oh, please. As if you have friends.” I teased, shoving him playfully. But he quickly caught my hand and pulled me into his arms.

“I have only one who matters.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead, and I melted further into his embrace.

“I’ll never forget this night, or what you did,” I promised, my face buried in his jacket. “Whatever else happens tonight is just the cherry on top of a perfect sundae.”

“I’m glad you think so,” he said, pulling back just enough to catch my gaze. “Because there’s no possible way I could top Romeo’s gift to you.”

“It’s not a competition,” I reminded him.

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