Page 41 of It Started With a Scarf

"Whew, I'm still not used to Chicago w-winters." I actively shook, putting my hands in front of the vents. Dominic took my hand and pulled me into his arms. There was a console between us, but I leaned over it. He was a big guy, so he leaned toward me as well. I felt his arm come around me, and he rubbed my shoulder, warming me up. It was bliss. I could have stayed there forever.

"I'm going back to Milwaukee tomorrow," he said.

"I know," I said. My head was tilted toward him, leaning on his shoulder where I wasn't looking directly at him. "I'll probably be at work when you go back."

"Did you hear me tell my dad I'm going to hire you to work at ETC?"

"Yes, I did hear you say that."

"You're welcome to, for real."

I wanted to take him up on any offer he ever made me, but I knew that would complicate things. "Thank you," I said simply. "It's an amazing place. You and EJ should be so proud of what you've built."

"Thank you," he said. "And I can tell you're not going to do it, but you should. And it's not just because I want to have you close. I think you'd be good for business there. I wish you would come to work for us."

"Thank you, Dom. I really will think about it."

"Don't think about it too long…" he said.

I thought he would continue, but he didn't.

"Or what?" I asked.

"Or nothing. Just don’t think about it too long because I want you there."

I laughed at him.

"I hope you're okay with me telling Blake to post that photo of you earlier. You mostly can't see your face."

"It's fine. I don't care what you post. I mean, I do care, ultimately, but I trust you. You make good choices with your social media."

"I just forward photos to Blake. I didn't even see the comments or anything. She takes care of all that."

"I might not look at it either," I said.

"I think it's smart," he said smiling.

"Why, because women get jealous and write mean comments?"

"No, I wasn't thinking that, I was just thinking life was better without worrying about what's on your feed."

I pulled away just far enough to look at him. He was so beautiful that, yet again, it was hard to believe any of it was real. I tried not to get caught up staring at the stubble on his perfect cheek. He was just amazing.

"Thank you, Dominic. Thank you for today." I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "I should go. I told Joan I'd be home before nine to take Mitzy on a walk."

"You take her on a walk at night? Be careful doing that," he said.

"We don’t usually go far at night," I said. "A few blocks. Joan just likes her to get a little exercise."

"I'm sorry I ratted you out to my family for having that sweatshirt on," he said with a smile.

I laughed and shook my head at him, bumping into him with my shoulder.

"Thad was mad at me, too. How was I to know you were arch-rivals?"

"You didn't know. That's why it's funny. And you took it well. My dad loves you."

"I love him. I seriously do. And not in a football fan way—in fact, it's just the opposite. He's so down to earth and nice as a regular human. Your mom too. I was smiling so much my face hurts."

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