Page 52 of It Started With a Scarf

Dominic

Two weeks later

Britt came into Dominic's Milwaukee office that afternoon. She was the manager of the women's gym there. She had been there all day, but Dominic was away at meetings. There were some additions about to start in the indoor pool area, and Dominic had to oversee three different planning committees. Britt came to see him that afternoon, and she had an odd expression on her face. He braced himself.

"There was a young woman here asking about you earlier. It was the weirdest thing."

"What does that mean? Who was it?"

"Well, I was in the middle of doing ten things, and this girl comes up to me… a young woman. She said she was looking for you, trying to surprise you, and I told her you were in a meeting. Then she was acting all nervous, saying you would be expecting her but that she didn't want me to tell you she was here. She was weird. She said how happy she was to meet me, like she knew who I was, and then she asked about the apartment—said that she was hoping to see the apartment while she was here. Isn't that weird? She was weird—acting all familiar with this place. She left, but I just wanted to let you know in case she comes back."

Dominic's expression fell. "Was it Marley?"

He was expecting her to come to Milwaukee tonight, but she wasn't supposed to make it there until later. They had plans to meet at his house at 8pm.

"Yes. Her name was Marley Matthews. How did you know?"

"Britt, because she, she—" Dominic stuttered, unable to get anything out because he was assuming the worst with how Britt treated her. "Uh-uh, Marley was here at the gym today?"

"You know that woman?"

"Marley Matthews?"

"Yes. That was her name."

"That's my woman, Britt. She's my… she's my girlfriend. More than that. She's moving here, and she's going to be working here starting next month… she… what was she doing here? Where was Blake? I thought Marley was working in Chicago until six tonight. Did you not meet her last week when she came here with me?"

"No, and how does no one tell me anything?"

"What did you tell her?"

"I don't know what I said. I was abrupt with her because she freaked me out, smiling all big and acting like she knew us—I was taken off guard. She was talking fast. And then she asked me to look inside the apartment of all things. I probably looked at her like she was crazy. I mean, who comes over here and asks about the apartments? She said she'd go, and not to worry about telling you she was here, and I was sketched out. That was like two hours ago."

Dominic's face was red hot. "What exactly did you say to her?"

"I just blew her off. I told her she could see about a membership—that you're around the gym quite a bit if she wanted to try to catch you here."

"I thought I told you Marley was starting work with us. You didn't know she's moving into the apartment next month?"

"What? No. So, you're with her? She's your girlfriend?"

"Yes!" Dominic answered and Britt flinched.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry, I had no idea." Britt shook her head with a regretful expression that scared Dominic.

"Was it awkward?" he asked her.

"Yeah, it was. I'm sorry to say that. I thought she was being so forward, but looking back, she just probably thought I knew who she was… which I didn't, thank you very much Dominic!" Britt was being playful, but he could tell she felt bad. Dominic feared the worst about how that conversation had gone, but he just smiled and reassured Britt that it was fine.

He checked his phone while he was heading away from her. There was a text from Marley.

Marley:

Hey Dom! I'm in Milwaukee early, and I can't wait to see you! There were a few thrift stores I wanted to check out, so I'm shopping this afternoon. Text me if you get finished early, otherwise I'll see you at 8 at your place like we had planned.

He went into his office before responding.

Dominic:

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