Page 58 of Call Me Anytime
He joined anNCISfandom group? Because of my mother?
I don’t even know how to wrap my head around that. It’s such an unexpected gesture, but at the same time, it’s completely Dom. He has this intrinsic way of making me feel seen.
He also kissed you this morning in the kitchen.
My lips tingle at the memory. And my mind wants to swirl with questions. Two months ago, I didn’t even know Dominic Dunn, but in such a short time, he’s become someone I see every day. Someone I enjoy spending time with and actually look forward to seeing.
Because you’re falling for him.
The thought blooms in my mind, soft but undeniable, and I try to push it away, but it’s persistent. Practically concrete. And it’s terrifying to admit, even to myself, but it’s also the most natural thing in the world. Falling for Dom feels inevitable, like gravity has pulled me toward him.
Dom drives through a gated entrance and begins a long and windy path up a private drive. I still have no idea where he’s taking us, but when a mansion-size house comes into view, my brain starts to buffer.
“Um ... Dom? Where are we exactly?”
“This is my parents’ house,” he whispers for my ears only, like it’s no big thing. Like it makes complete sense for him to bring me and Mom here.
“I’m sorry, what?” I ask as he pulls his Range Rover to a stop on the beautiful pavestone driveway that showcases a giant, ornamental cast-iron fountain in the center. A three-car garage sits off to our left, and everything that I can see about the yard screamsexpensive landscaping.
My mother’s farmhouse is gorgeous in its own right, but it’s not this. It’s not ... a seven-figure property that sits within the prime real estate of Belle Meade. If there’s a country music star or celebrity or athlete looking for a home in Nashville, they’re looking here.
It’s more than well-to-do. It’s straight-up deep-pocketed affluence.
Andhis parentslive here.
He wants me and my mom to meet his family?
Dom hops out of the driver’s side and steps to the back to open my mother’s door. And I have to lift my jaw off my kneecaps to follow his lead. Once I’m standing beside him and my mom, I start to open my mouth to ask the obvious, but sweet Sherry has other plans.
“Is Gibbs coming?” she asks, eyeing the house suspiciously. “The property is big. We’re going to have a lot of weak points.”
Dom smiles at my mom and gently wraps his arms around her shoulders. “This is just a little reconnaissance mission, Sher. The owner is having a birthday party, and we’re just here to see if we can get any information about his business.”
“You think he’s dirty?”
“Possibly. Might have some ties to the cartel.”
My mother nods, pursing her lips as she spins on her heels to survey the property. “I shouldn’t have come unarmed.”
I’d say it’s pretty clear that my mom has zero access to weapons—especially guns—in our home, but her mind has other ideas about what her day-to-day life looks like. Inside Sherry’s world, every day is an exciting experience of solving crimes and catching criminals and being a sidekick to Ziva and Tony and Gibbs.
“Don’t worry, Sherry.” Dom discreetly lifts his crisp white T-shirt to reveal the concealed gun on his hip.
My mom nods and then looks over at me.
I just shake my head, and she sighs in disappointment. “One day, Ziva, you’re going to realize that Tony is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. He’s always thinking with his head.”
“Yeah, Ziva,” Dom comments with a tickled grin. “Sherry’s spitting straight facts.”
I roll my eyes, and he just laughs as he guides my mom toward the front of the house, the entire time giving her a quick rundown of the man she “needs to keep an eye on.”
“They own Dunn Coffee,” he tells her, and my mind races in confusion. Is he just making this shit up, or does his family actually own one of the biggest coffee chains in the whole freaking world?
I mean, he’s brought you Dunn coffee in the morning more than a few times ...
Ever since my college days at MTSU, I’ve loved Dunn coffee. I’d grab one before nearly every class. The only reason I stopped doing it was to save every nickel and dime I could to pay for my mom’s caretaker.
“Good coffee,” my mom says, and Dom nods.
