Page 44 of After Midnight

Chapter eighteen

Dillon

I’m not sure what I’d expected when I went over to Dominic’s. If anything, I thought he’d kick me out as soon as he caught sight of me. As the night went on and Miss Rita scammed both of us in cards, though, I realized I was having fun simply hanging out with the two of them.

Once Dominic and I were alone together, drinking wine and chilling on the couch, I was seriously considering making a move. I still craved the feel of his mouth on mine, the taste of his lips as they parted for me, but I quickly realized tonight wasn’t about rekindling passion. When he became emotional talking about his sisters, I knew what he needed more than anything was a friend.

Strange new emotions whirled through me as he leaned into me and cried. Empathy, caring, and a need to nurture and protect him converged to form a lump in my throat as I held him tight. From that moment forward, I wanted to be whatever he needed me to be. Yeah, I was in deep.

After I’d massaged his shoulders, I scooted in behind him on the couch. His pliant, relaxed body came willingly as I slidmy arms around his front, pressing his back against my chest, and we watched TV. The intimate position may have been too much between friends, but Dominic’s contented sigh eased any concern.

Around eleven, he began dozing off, and I told him I was going to head home. I didn’t want to go but I knew, at least for tonight, Dominic wasn’t ready for anything more.

He stood up with me and we shared a full-body hug, and I kissed his forehead. Whatever term best described him?friend, boyfriend, love of my life?there was no denying how well we fit together.

While he walked me to the front door, I talked him into meeting my fathers and me for brunch tomorrow. “Sure,” he agreed, but I think he was just too sleepy to argue. As soon as I got in my car, I texted him my address in case he didn’t remember from the first time I brought him to my parents’ house.

I drove home in an excellent mood. I felt light and hopeful for the future. The more I got to know Dominic, the more I wanted to learn. He was the only man who’d stirred in me protective and nurturing instincts I didn’t even know I had.

I’d never gotten this emotionally involved with a guy, but there was something special about Dominic Lawson. I wanted more with him but I wouldn’t push it. As long as I could be a part of his life, friendship would have to be enough if that’s all he wanted.

I’d arrived home so late that I only told my dads a few hours before brunch that I’d invited Dominic to join us. When Papa K freaked, I laughed and told him I would handle the food.

“I’m just going to make a frittata and maybe some toast. Easy as pie… or, well, bread.”

“Not on my watch!” he exclaimed. “Dillon Pearson, have I taught you nothing? If you invite someone over for brunch, you present a proper table. What time is he coming?”

I chuckled. That my father had zeroed in on my lack of entertaining etiquette and not that I was actually bringing a guy over to formally meet them amused me to no end. Granted, my dads had caught sight of Dominic the time I had him backed up against the pool with my tongue down his throat, but that didn’t really count as proper introductions. “He hasn’t texted me yet this morning, but I’m guessing around elevenish.”

“That gives me time to go down to the bakery and get croissants and Danish pastries. You make your frittata, and I’ll provide the rest.”

I shook my head, smiling. “You are the best dad ever,” I said just as Dad came around the corner.

“Hey,” he said, sleepily rubbing his eyes.

“Correction, you’re the best papa ever,” I said, earning a wink from Dad.

“Did I hear we’re having brunch?” he asked.

“Yes, and our son is bringing the cutie he had over the night they were swimming in the pool,” Papa K answered for me. “We finally get to officially meet him.”

“Well, this must be the real deal then,” Dad said.

“You two are out of control,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “At the moment, we’re just friends. He’s had a lot of crap come down on his head, so I invited him here knowing he wouldn’t feel pressured to be anything more than friends. I expect the two of you not to harass him or ask him when we’re having babies or anything like that.” That was the last thing Dominic needed and I had to hope my dads didn’t go too far.

Dad winked at Papa K, and I saw humor alight in his eyes. Okay, I was dead. They were going to embarrass the hell out of me and Dominic would never want to see my face again.

“Listen, if you two can’t behave, I’ll just take him to the breakfast place around the corner. For real, he needs a safe place to unwind.”

Papa K put his arm around my shoulder. “I promise we’ll behave.” When he turned around toward Dad, he added under his breath, “While he’s here.”

I let out an exasperated sigh and left them standing in the kitchen while I ran upstairs to shower and change.

Back in my room, I heard my phone ping with a text.

Dominic:I’m sorry, Dillon. I’m not in the mood for company today. Rain check?

I’d suspected he might try to cancel and was prepared to make my best pitch for him to reconsider. I quickly dialed his number.

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