Page 83 of You're The One
I fought her on it. It felt like a bit much for dinner at his house. Not to mention, it’s white. But Summer insisted it was perfect against my dark hair. So, eventually, I gave in.
There’s a knock at the door. I check the clock, but I still have fifteen minutes before I’m supposed to meet Dom in the lobby.
Summer pulls the door open, and Dominic stands there.
Hands tucked into the pockets of tailored black dress pants. A baby-blue shirt that’s almost obscene in the way it hugs his body, a few of the top buttons undone to show his chest.
He looks fine as hell, if I’m being honest.
Suddenly, I feel a little less self-conscious about being overdressed. And a whole lot more nervous. For the first time, it feels like we’re going on anactualdate.
“Oh… hi,” is all I manage to say.
Summer laughs, hiding behind the door she’s still holding open.
Dom’s gaze travels the length of me before our eyes connect. “You look… Wow.”
NowI’mthe one laughing. “I’ll take it.”
“And I’ll take you.” His lopsided grin makes an appearance as he holds out a hand, inviting me to place mine in his. So, I do.
I’m halfway down the hall, not even sure how we got here, when Summer calls out, her footsteps and soft giggle echoing through the empty hotel corridor.
“Here. You forgot your bag. You kids have fun!” she yells as she heads back to the multi-bedroom suite we’re all sharing.
But not tonight. Not for me. A few hours ago, I got confirmation from Bodhi that I’m allowed to stay at my brother’s place. I’m looking forward to some actual space—something that’s been impossible to come by here.
The elevator doors shut, and finally, we’re alone. Well, as alone as we ever are on this show… with cameras hovering at the edge of our vision. I’d still prefer they weren’t there at all, but more often than not, they fade into the background.
Dom’s eyes scan me again, sending goosebumps skittering across my chest and arms. There’s a question in them. One that says,I want to kiss you, but I don’t know how you’d feel about that.
Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
We’re still traveling down when he settles for a tight hug, holding me for the first time since the airport on Monday. It’s agreeting, an apology, and an offer of comfort, all in one. I accept every bit of it greedily.
“I missed you.” His words slip out, soft and unplanned.
I inhale a shaky breath against his chest. He smells of crisp linen and leather. On the exhale, I admit, “Me, too.”
He squeezes me tighter, his face resting against the top of my head.
All I’ve thought about these past few days, while he’s been introducing the other girls to his dad, is how much I wish things were different. Different how, I’m not sure. What started as a plot to score a free vacation has spiraled into something I never expected. Or thought I wanted.
Most of me still wants to run. But there’s a smaller part, quiet but persistent, trying to talk me into runningtowardhim instead. Whispering that maybe he’s safe. That maybe there’s a… possibility.
The elevator dings, and we finally pull apart.
It feels too soon. But maybe it always will, with him.
“Dad, this is Mia.”
Please like me.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Fox.” I step forward and offer my hand with what I hope is an easy smile.
My insides are rioting, caring more than I ever have about someone’s approval. He looks familiar. Maybe I’ve seen him at a party or two over the years, though I’m pretty sure we’ve never spoken. We definitely haven’t been formally introduced.
“Oh, come here.” Dom’s dad waves off the handshake and pulls me into a bear hug. “And call me Charlie.”
