Page 12 of Inception

A faceless figure in the distance, leaning against a building with his foot kicked up behind him—nearly unrecognizable if it weren’t for that familiar blond hair and that familiar lean. There was something about him that called to me, something enigmatic, and tempting.

Before I could work out the equation, my legs were moving themselves toward him, walking with what seemed like a mind of their own. My stride wary but considerable, each small step taking me closer and closer to him. I could feel my heart begin to pound as Trace’s warnings replayed in my head, and yet, I knew none of that mattered now. I had already made the decision to ignore all of it the moment I saw him standing there, without even making the choice.

What did Trace know anyway? Anyone who could date someone as vile as Nikki Parker—stupid, psycho Nikki Parker—obviously didn’t have the sense of a green apple.

Screw him.No. Screw them both.

I walked on undeterred and resolved to meet him when a metallic blue Mustang with two white racer stripes pulled up next to me, decelerating to a steady crawl as it kept pace beside me. The sound of its powerful engine growling obscenely as it sliced through the stillness of the night.

I stepped away cautiously as the tinted passenger-side window rolled down. His oceanic eyes were the first thing I saw.

5. THE GOOD SON

“Need a ride?” asked Trace, leaning over the passenger seat.

That was the last thing I needed from him. “No thanks,” I said icily and continued walking.

He released some pressure from the brake and let the car move forward slowly, following alongside me.

“Come on, it’s late,” he pushed. “It’s not safe out here.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

“Please, just get in the car.”

“I said no thanks!” My voice was laced with the frosty bite of a cold December night.

“Fine. Suit yourself.”

I walked another dozen or so steps and waited for him to drive away, but he didn’t. When I looked back at him, he was still leaning over the driver seat with his forearm relaxed over the steering wheel—watching me.

“What are you doing?”

“Driving.”

“I mean, why are you still here?”

His dimples pinched, though he wasn’t smiling. “I’m seeing you home.”

“Okay…could you not?” I said, making a face. “I’d prefer not to get run over by your crazy girlfriend when she happens to drive by and see us.” And with my luck, no doubt that scene will be unfolding any minute now.

“So get in the car then,” he said impatiently, looking at his watch. “I bet she’ll be walking out of there any second now,” he added, baiting me on.

I looked over my shoulder for any signs of Nikki, and then back up to the building where Dominic had been, but he was already gone. Again. The street suddenly seemed a little colder and darker without his luminary presence.

So yeah. Apparently, I was out of options.

“Alright, fine,” I said as I stopped and faced him. His foot came down on the break in perfect sync. “But only because I have no idea where I am, and the thought of running into Nikki again makes me want to dry heave.”

He nodded, his dimples pressing in as he leaned over to the passenger side and pushed open the door for me. I looked over my shoulder one more time to make sure there weren’t any witnesses, and against my better judgment, climbed in.

“See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”

I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the seat-belt and tried to pull it across my chest. The stupid thing locked with every tug.

“Let me get it for you,” he offered.

“I can do it,” I insisted, pulling at it harder.

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