Page 32 of After Midnight

“I understand. No problem,” I said and backed out of the parking lot. I knew he thought we were returning to the comedy club, but screw that. If he needed a distraction, then a distraction I’d provide. No way was I going to walk away from him after finding out what was wrong. He needed me and I cared about him. I would rise to the challenge, even if I had to wing it.

When we pulled up at the theater, Dominic looked at me with brows furrowed. “I thought you…”

“I know what you thought, but you asked me for a distraction, and if kissing isn’t what you have in mind, this might be the next best thing.”

I bought us two tickets to a midnight screening ofThe Karate Kid. I’d heard the theater was playing the original, nineteen eighty-four version, and remembering Dominic’s appreciation for older movies, I thought he might enjoy it.

His eyes lit up when he saw the title on the marquee and he leaned into me as we sat down in the theater with popcorn, sodas, and about ten grand worth of candy. Seeing him smile was worth that and more.

During the movie, Dominic laid his head on my shoulder. I ended up lifting the armrest between us, then put my arm around him so he could snuggle in closer. God, he felt so good pressed up against me, I could barely concentrate on the movie.

I knew it was ridiculous and I probably shouldn’t read so much into it, but I felt like my heart was being tugged toward him. Like I’d been incomplete all this time until the moment he’d nestled into my side, fitting there perfectly.

When the movie ended, I drove him back to his car, and this time when I kissed him, it didn’t hold any of the sadness of our earlier one. His soft lips brushed mine in a sweet, gentle kiss that I fought the urge not to deepen.Baby steps,I told myself.

When I pulled back, slowly and reluctantly, I couldn’t hold back a grin. “So, how many nights do you need to be, um, distracted?”

He smiled but it was tinged with sadness. “All weekend, unfortunately.”

I winked at him. “Same place, same time tomorrow?”

He chuckled, some of the brightness returning to his eyes. “Sure, we can meet after we close.” It sounds cliché, but I was so happy, my heart took wings.

He got out of my car and waved at me before getting into his own. After he’d driven off, I stayed put a few moments longer, just watching the road. What was it about Dominic that shook my insides up so much? I’d never been one who had a lot of patience for guys, even in high school. If someone didn’t keep me entertained or continue showing absolute interest, I moved on, but that wasn’t the case with Dominic.

He was so self-assured. Grounded in a way I doubted I ever would be. Yeah, he was hot as hell and super easy on the eyes, but he also intrigued me in every possible way. It was new territory for me, and I was going to take advantage of it. Something in me had changed because of him, and I owed it to myself to explore that as fully as he’d permit me.

The next morning over breakfast, I informed my dads I would be bringing someone over to the house to swim in our pool. “This will be a party for two. Can you make yourselves scarce?” I asked.

Before Papa K could respond, Dad clapped his hand over his mouth and answered for the both of them. “Of course, honey. Just remember the house rules,” he said, then paused as Papa K took a big sip of coffee. “No sex in the pool.”

Papa K spewed coffee all over the table and Dad cackled as he lit out of the kitchen like his ass was on fire, his husband hot on his heels.

Chapter thirteen

Dominic

Weekends spent without my sisters coupled with an uncertain cashflow pushed me to return to work. When I asked the comedy club’s new owners if I could only work the weekends, they readily agreed. Ashton, of course, put in a good word for me, and I secretly thanked Miss Rita for having such good friends as him.

Working helped keep my mind off of my home life, for the most part. The first few weeks, I was kept in the storeroom, taking inventory and keeping the shelves and cooler stocked. It was less than ideal, since I needed the tips that came with bartending, but the new owners were concerned I was only twenty-one and had only been a bartender for a short time.

Mr. Langdon found someone to give me a small loan to cover basic household expenses, which I was grateful for, but it left me with little spending money of my own.

Finally, having convinced the new owners I wasn’t a flake by showing up on time and doing my job well, they put me in my old position behind the bar. We were slammed that first night, and I was shocked at how good the new performers were.

When Dillon came on, I about crapped myself from the butterflies in my stomach. He’d transformed into a confident and solid comedian since I’d last seen him. He was funny as could be, and the crowd loved him. During his set, I made eye contact with Ashton, who was clearly proud of him. He nodded up at him and smiled, as if to say, “Whaddya think of that?” The fact that I almost dropped a bottle and two glasses was a good indication of the effect seeing Dillon again had on me. A pang of regret passed through me at not having contacted him sooner.

I gave Ashton a return smile before becoming distracted filling more drink orders, but my mind never drifted far from Dillon.

By the time the seven o’clock show ended and the nine o’clock began, I’d already earned three times more in tips than I had in the weeks I’d worked in the back.

I pocketed my tips just as Dillon came over and asked me how I was. Without letting myself think about all the reasons seeing him was a bad idea, I heard myself ask, “Do you wanna go somewhere after this?”

I immediately felt guilty for being selfish, but I didn’t seem to be able to stop myself from asking. I needed an escape from my mausoleum house and the reason for it being so empty, one that didn’t involve work, and Dillon seemed a willing distraction.

Then I nearly screwed everything up by being a total basket case. I thought he was taking me back to my car to wallow in self-pity when instead, he took me to a movie theater playing an eighties classic. God, this man was perfect.

Halfway through the movie, I couldn’t help myself. I needed comfort, and I wanted it from Dillon. Resting my head on his shoulder quickly gave way to snuggling into his side. He held my hand and the pleasure of his touch tingled throughout my body. I felt warm and my heart picked up its pace. Every so often, I glanced over at Dillon and our eyes met fleetingly before he looked away. It was like being in my dream, dancing withPrince Dillon, except this was real.Hewas real, and his company proved exactly what I needed.

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