Page 41 of Inception

“Yes, I was,” he smirked. “I was hoping I might take you out later. After work.”

My insides lit up at the thought of it; at the very notion that he wanted to see me—washopingfor it even.

And then I snapped back to reality.

“What’s the matter?” he asked. He must have remarked the change in my expression.

“I finished early. There was...an incident.”

“Oh?” His dark eyes tapered. “What sort of incident?”

He reached out and moved a strand of hair away from my eyes. Such a simple gesture, yet it completely derailed my focus.

“I, um, I sort of had a run-in with this creep out back, a little while ago. Some deranged guy.”TMI, dammit.

When I saw his eyes flare open, I quickly added, “I’m totally fine though, just a little shaken up.”

“Are you hurt?” he asked and then grazed his hand over the side of my neck as though he were looking for a wound—a seriously specific wound.

My eyes thinned as I shook my head, “I’m fine.”

“Come on then, I’ll take you home.”

“I already have a ride,” I said, still searching his face for clues about what exactly he might know, if anything.

“I insist,” he said, surrendering nothing.

Trace appeared beside me. “You ready to go?” He didn’t bother acknowledging Dominic’s presence.

“I’ll be taking Jemma home tonight,” said Dominic as he reached out and took my hand, gently pulling me closer to him.

Trace took my other hand and jerked me back beside him. “And who the hell are you supposed to be?”

I blinked into him.

What the hell was he doing? Didn’t he know Dominic? Hadn’t he told me to stay away from him not even a week ago? Why would he warn me about someone he’s never even met before?

He must have been going off of hear-say, I decided. So apparently introductions were in order.

“Um, Trace, this is Dominic.” I gestured over to him awkwardly and then went back the other way. “Dominic, this is Trace.”

Neither one extended their hand.

“Right. So, anyway,” I turned back to Trace. “You don’t need to drive me home after all. Dominic offered to take me.” As much as I wanted to be around him—felt safer with him near me—the situation had not changed. Trace was unavailable. “It’s probably for the best,” I added, ticking my head towards the back where Nikki was sitting with the rest of our friends.

His jaw muscle tightened as his eyes moved from me to Dominic. “Excuse us.” The words on their own were polite, but his tone was anything but. He pulled me over to the bar, away from Dominic, though he was still very much in earshot of us.

“I don’t like this,” he said, shaking his head. “I’d feel better if I took you home myself.”

“I’ll be fine with Dominic. Besides,” I said, lowering my voice. “Nikki’s sitting right there. I’m not about to piss her off on purpose.”

He looked back at Dominic with disgust. “What do you even know about him?”

I shrugged. The truth was, I didn’t know any more about Dominic than I did of Trace, or even Taylor for that matter, but that wasn’t stopping me from talking to either of them. I was new in town, after all, it was to be expected.

“I think that’s the purpose of getting to know someone,” I pointed out. “So unless there’s something specific you think I should know...” I gave him a couple seconds to answer. When he didn’t, I went on, “I’m not going to have this pointless conversation again.”

He exhaled loudly, jaw pumping again. “Give me your phone.”

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