Page 10 of One Last Chance

Domenic looks up again, takes a step forward, then as if he’s having second thoughts, he stops. Placing his cap on his head again, he turns his back to me, opens the driver’s door of his truck, and then jumps in. His red truck looks brand-new like it has been driven straight out of a car dealership. He reverses out of his parking spot and then takes off down the road with his tires screeching.

What was that?

“One large latte, extra sweet,” Sophia states as she places the cup in front of me.

Smiling, she takes a seat opposite me and sips her hot chocolate.

“Still love your hot chocolates, I see.” I smile as I take a sip of my delicious coffee.

“I sure do. Nothing’s changed around here for me.”

Feeling a little awkward, I take a deep breath and open my mouth to ask her a question, but stop when she says, “Me first.”

“Oh, okay then.”

“What was that, Chloe? Out there? Before?” Sophia asks, pointing her finger out the window. “I know something happened between you and Domenic. I’m not that stupid, Chlo. And the way you looked at him out there only confirmed it for me.”

“Oh, Sophia.” I place my hands over my face, feeling at a loss as to how I am going to tell her what happened all those years ago.

I feel her hand on mine, and I move my hands away.

“When you left, five years ago, I knew something was up. The way you ran without even saying goodbye to your family or me that was not at all like you. Something happened that you’re not telling me about at the party, right?”

Tears fall down my face, and Sophia’s hand squeezes mine. “Chloe, I miss our friendship more than you will ever know. And I need you to understand that whatever happened… it is in the past. I want us to be friends again. I miss you. When you left and stopped taking my calls, it killed me, Chloe. You were my best friend, and in those five years, I’ve probably only seen you twice. I have never pushed you for details, but now I need to. I want you to explain to me why my best friend left without a word?”

CHLOE

Past

“Hey, can I step in?” I turn around from dancing with Sam, my beer at my lips, and my eyes latch onto Domenic’s. I laugh, maybe a little too much. Obviously, the alcohol is getting to me.

“Who? Me?” I ask in surprise as I point my finger to my chest.

Domenic sucks his bottom lip into his mouth, and his beautiful green eyes travel down my body to my bare legs, then up again, landing on my breasts, freezing there for a moment before they meet my brown eyes. Swallowing hard, I feel heat pool in my panties, and my stomach dips as he releases his bottom lip, and his eyes narrow on my own.

“Yeah, you,” he replies, stepping in a little closer, so his feet are hitting the tips of mine.

“You look beautiful tonight, Chloe.”

Not realizing that my body is swaying toward him, Sam interrupts, saying, “Chloe, I think we should go.”

Domenic’s eyes don’t leave mine as he says, “Beat it, Sam. I’ve got her.”

His hands land on my waist, and his body slides up against mine. I hold my beer behind me, gesturing for Sam to take it, and he does, all the while, my eyes never leave Domenic’s. The song, ‘Tonight’ by Emphaticcomes on, the words playing as though written for us. It’s perfect for slow-dancing, and with the alcohol running through my body, I place my arms around his neck, letting my breasts run up his chiseled chest.

Domenic’s chest rises and falls as he breathes heavily, and my panties become damp with desire. I’ve never felt like this before. I never wanted anyone as much as I want Domenic Reed. I shouldn’t be doing this, my body shouldn’t want him, but I don’t care. Right now, all that matters is this moment—here, now. Everyone and everything else can go to hell.

“Chloe, I’m leaving,” Sam growls at me, sounding pissed off.

Breaking my connection with Domenic, I face Sam and give him an apologetic look. “I’ll be fine, Sam. You go if you have to.”

“She’s safe with me, Ross.”

Ross is Sam’s surname, and for some reason, all the jocks call everyone by their last name. I guess that’s how it goes. Sam takes one look at me before he strides away, still looking mighty angry.

Why is he upset with me?

Perhaps I should go after him, but I don’t want to leave these arms and the warmth they’re bringing.

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