Page 53 of Always You
“How about I call him to see if he can come over for dinner?”
“Okay, Mommy, call him, get your phone.” He nods and runs upstairs and returns with a photo I had hanging up of Dominic and me. He would consistently glance at it.
Dialing Dominic’s number, I’m hoping he will pick up, but I am not sure what his work schedule is like.
“Hello, beautiful.”
The sound of his husky voice sends goosebumps down to my core.How I missed the familiarity of his voice.
“Is everything okay?” he questions with worry in his tone.
I’m not sure If I should tell him about his mom dropping by unwelcomed. That could wait.
“More than okay. I talked to Dante and explained to him in a way he could understand.”
“Is he okay? How did he take it, Angel, is he confused? I’ve been thinking about this all day.”
I smile so wide it makes my cheeks hurt. “He wants you to come over,” I say, wiping a tear sliding down. I hear Dominic swallow. I clear my throat. “Can you come over for dinner? If you can. I understand if your bus—a”
He cuts me off. “Baby, of course, I want to come over to meet my son. God, I’ve been waiting for this moment, Angel. I can grab dinner, whatever you guys want.”
I’ll admit I’m a little shaken up with mixed emotions. I just hope it all works out. “Sounds good. How about The Taco Shop?”
He chuckles knowing tacos are my favorite. “I know my girl is a huge taco fan. I’ll grab a little of everything. What should I get, Dante?”
Dante runs to me. “Mommy is that Daddy?” he whispers softly.
“Yes, baby, it is.”
A boyish smile pops his dimples out. Dominic’s laugh rumbles on the other end of the line.
“He’s not picky. You can get him some beans and rice.”
Dante frowns and whispers, “I want a burger and fries, Mommy.”
This boy.
“Sorry, he would like a burger and fries, if you can; if not, don’t worry about it, he can eat whatever you get.”
“No, I’ll get him what he wants, baby.” A shakiness in his voice bounces off the receiver. He’s nervous.
“I’ll be right over, give me like twenty minutes, Angel,” he says with a low husky voice.
“Ok see you soon.”
A knock at the door twenty minutes later, has me giddy and so excited to see this father and son reunion. The photographer in me grabs a camera. As soon as I turn the doorknob, Dominic's silhouette appears from behind it. His white t-shirt seems to hug his biceps perfectly, and I can see the outlines of his firm muscles through the fabric. His biceps bulge against the sleeves as his olive-tanned skin gleams in the light. A chiseled jawline and thick eyebrows enhance his rugged good looks even further. It's evident that he puts a lot of time and hard work into keeping himself in good shape.
Man, I’m jealous of those long black eyelashes.Lord have mercy.He’s like a daydream. His shirt is so tight I spot the tattoo on his chest. Jesus, the perfect lines of his eight-pack. I see another tattoo on his forearm, but can’t make out what it says. I snap myself out of the trance. I realize he’s staring at me the same way, seeking me out.
“Angel,”he breathes out. His eyes scan every part of my flesh.
“Here let me help you.” I reach out to grab the food. I hear little footsteps coming down the stairs. The door swings open.
“Daddy!”
Dominic places the drinks and food on the doorstep. When Dante runs to him, Dominic catches him in his arms. There’s a startled look in Dominic’s eyes. Dante wraps his tiny hands around his dad’s neck and cries on his shoulder. Dominic is clearly choked with emotion holding his son so tight, afraid he might disappear from his arms.
“My boy, my Dante,” Dominic whispers. He wipes his and Dante’s tears, he kisses him on each cheek and his forehead. They stare at one another. Dominic’s eyes pained with guilt.
