Page 78 of Torrid Love
The question churns my stomach.
“Do you see me asking who you’re going to spend the evening with?”
I take a step closer so my voice doesn’t carry. “For God’s sake, I’m trying to spend the evening with you, Dom.”
“Call one of the girls in your little black book. I’m tied up.”
She’s steadfast in her resolve.
Fuck, I hate it when she’s like this.
I try a different approach. “Maybe we can talk when you get back home. It doesn’t matter how late, you can call me.” I’m a goddamn liar. The last thing I need is a timestamp reminding me of how many hours she spent with the British asshole, doing God knows what with him.
The thought annoys the hell out of me, but there’s something else. A pull at my heart, I’ve never felt before, catches me off guard.
“Let’s leave it for another day,” she says.
“I don’t want what transpired between us yesterday to hang over our heads like a dark cloud. Let’s just talk about it.”
“Rod, lately, when wetalk about it, it ends up in a disaster. Why bother?” She punctuates her stinging remark with a one-shoulder shrug.
“Why bother?” I repeat. “Because it fucking matters, Dom.”
“You’re fishing for something I can’t give you. Talking won’t change a thing. You, me, nobody can change the past.” Her lips pull up into a tight smile. “Not to mention the way you humiliated me today doesn’t really make me want to spend any time with you or talk to you. Now if you’ll excuse me.” With that, she walks right past me and out the door. She doesn’t even look back.
I screwed up in a big way.
CHAPTER 18
Dominika
My heart bleeds at how I left things off with Rod.Fuck.But, how do I open up to him without tripping all over the ugly past? This is the kind of truth that would bring his world crashing. His axis would flip upside down and God knows how he’d react if he ever found out. It’s not like he trusts easily to start off with.
After leaving the set, I made my way back to my studio––which is adjacent to Rod’s––dropped my equipment and left as quickly as I could. I drove back to my place to shower and change before meeting Joel. As I was slipping behind the wheel of my car, Joel texted me. He’s no longer in the mood for Mexican. Instead of meeting at Cantina Zaragoza, he wants to have dinner at Matcha Flip. Fine Japanese dining, he says. It doesn’t make me hate sushi any less. Tempura it is!
I pull my white Porsche Cayenne into a vacant parking spot right in front of the restaurant.Yay!I get out of my car, engage the alarm, and give my wheels one last appreciative glance before heading to the door. My ride is five years old and used to belong to the wife of a successful casting director Rod’s friend Collin Dennison knows. Sheneededan upgrade since she had recently upgraded her Range Rover. I got a great friend-of-a-friend deal and it’s perfect for all my video equipment.
I had to negotiate with Joel before we came to an agreement. First, he wanted us to meet in his hotel room. That was a hard no. Second, he wanted to send a car to pick me up. Not happening. I want to have the freedom to leave when I want. He thought I was being so North American about it. I’m just being practical. There was no way I was going to tell Rod any of this, he’d have a heart attack. Pushing thoughts of my best friend from my mind, I step into the restaurant.
After giving my name to the hostess, I follow a waitress through the packed restaurant to the table where Joel is already waiting. He gets up when he sees me and welcomes me with a warm smile. He’s changed into a gray suit and a crisp white shirt—no tie. We exchange a euro kiss before locking eyes again.
“I know I said it earlier, but the transformation is truly remarkable. You look even more spectacular now than you did earlier. I’m not even sure how that’s possible.”
I opted for a long-sleeved white lace dress, which I paired with nude patent-leather shoes with a buckle-fastening ankle strap. It has a slight heel and the color complements the lining of the dress. The ponytail still worked, so I didn’t bother with my hair. I toned down my makeup and added a few large gold hoops and I was set. The look is chic and professional.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” I joke.
“Good because I know I have my work cut out for me. Please sit down,” he says, pulling out my chair.
“Thank you,” I say taking a seat.
I know Rod thinks this is a date, but it isn’t. While I was in Europe, Joel insisted he had the opportunity of a lifetime to present to me. When I hesitated, he buttered it up, claiming it would be a crying shame if I refused to at least listen. Rod likes to quote,‘You miss every shot you don’t take’.Yeah, he’s a big basketball fan. So this is me, stepping into something potentially much bigger.
“Shall we start with sake or wine?” Joel asks.
“No, I’m fine. Thank you so much, but I’m driving.”
“One glass won’t put you on the wrong side of the law.”
