Page 73 of You're The One
“You must really want to go home.” Summer arches one perfectly sculpted brow as she lifts her glass. “Right before the real fun begins? You’re braver than I am.”
Victoria sips her drink before shrugging. “Oh, I’m going to Hawaii. You’re all too superstitious.”
Okay, I guess that’s not enough to sway her. She’s made up her mind.
I stare down at my glass. Focusing on the condensation, the tiny bubbles clinging to the side, anything but what I might have to watch unfold later tonight.
“Hockey players are pretty superstitious,” I offer, aiming for casual.
Summer and River both nod. “They are,” Summer backs me up.
“Good evening, ladies.” I barely register Dom’s entrance, too distracted by Victoria’s declaration.
When I finally look at him, he’s already watching me. There’s a furrow between his brows.You okay?he mouths.
I nod, recrossing my legs and smoothing the silky fabric of my dress.
River stands first and asks if they can talk, but before Dominic follows her, he closes the distance between us and lowers just enough to catch my eyes.
“You sure you’re okay? Anxious?” he questions softly, the crease between his brows deepening.
Are my feelings written across my face?
I try to smooth my expression and offer a small, nonchalant smile. “I’m good. Promise. Have fun.”
But he doesn’t move. No, he does the opposite, crouching at my feet and placing a warm hand on my knee. “Tell me,” he insists.
Now is not the time to admit that one of the women he’s dating is planning to kiss him, and the thought makes me nauseous. And anxious. And also, very aware of the cameras in the room. The fear of having a full-blown panic attack on national television is almost as bad as the unwanted jealousy.
I shake my head.
I’m saved by Bodhi, who taps his shoulder. “C’mon, bud. Got the perfect spot set up for you and River.”
Dom throws him a look. “Seriously?”
“We’re on a tight schedule. Unless you want to be here all night and fly to Chicago on zero sleep…”
Dom sighs, squeezing my knee once before he stands. “I’ll come find you next.”
Then he’s gone, and the second he is, that sinking knot returns to my stomach.
He doesn’t come back. Instead, Bodhi rotates the women through their allotted time with him, one by one, guiding them between carefully lit, camera-ready setups. Apparently, I’m last on the docket.
So, I wait. And wait some more. They cycle through, the night dragging on, until it’s just me and Victoria left.
She gave up trying to make small talk an hour ago when it became clear I wasn’t going to be a great conversationalist. I’m not, even on my best days, but tonight is worse.
Finally, Summer returns and takes the empty seat next to me. Bodhi appears again and heads off with Victoria.
“Wish me luck,” she tosses over her shoulder with a wink.
Of course, he sets them up right outside on the patio, giving the rest of us in the living room an unobstructed view.
“How’re you holding up?” Summer asks.
“I’m fine. How’re you?” I respond a little too fast.
She gives me a look. “You can talk to me, you know. I’m not into him like that.”
