“So, where are you taking me?” I asked, turning to look at him.
He had a giant smile on his face.
“If I wanted to tell you that, I would have already,” he said. “We’re actually a few minutes away.”
He slowed to a stop at a stoplight then pulled out a long bit of fabric from the glove compartment. “Turn around.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Always with the questions, hmm? Come on.”
I twisted in my seat, grinning. He brought the silky fabric to my eyes. “You know I don’t like surprises. You don’t have to blindfold me.”
“Everyone who says they don’t like surprises is lying. They just never had a good enough surprise,” Dominic said. He pulled the sash tight, so that I was completely blinded. I felt silly, but he kissed the back of my head.
“Are you ready?” he asked a few moments later.
“I don’t know if I am, you know? Since I don’t know where we’re going.”
“Shh. It’s not like I’m taking you to some dark alley or a field in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
I heard him step out of the car. Then he grabbed my hand to help me out.
“Then again, maybe I am.”
“Still trying to be all mysterious, huh?” I teased.
“Of course.”
Dominic grabbed my shoulders from behind and guided my every step. I’d said I didn’t like surprises, but maybe I lied—just a little. Every now and then, Dominic snickered. This had to be good because he seemed more excited than I was.
“Okay. We’re here. Don’t cry, okay?” he said, “I know you’re going to cry.”
He took off the blindfold—so slowly he must have been trying to drive me insane.
When the blindfold was gone, all I could do was stare.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, right?” I said.
“Have I ever struck you as the jokester type?” Dominic stood by my side, looking up at the building, his hands rested on his hips.
“It looks so different,” I said.
The storefront had changed. The sign was nicer—much nicer. I remembered the day I had the sign commissioned. I’d had to choose between kick-ass graphics and quality medical supplies. It had kind of been a no-brainer.
Instead of a boring red brick wall front with a single door, the wall had been replaced with glass. It allowed a peek into the reception area, which looked wonderfully sleek and modern.
“I hope you don’t mind that I gave the architect a few ideas.” Dominic scratched the back of his head. “I wouldn’t want to ruin something so special for you.”
I flew into Dominic’s arms, making him stumble backward.
“So you like it, huh?” he said with a lopsided grin.
“I love it. And I love you. Holy shit, this is amazing.”
And damn it, he was right. I was crying.
Dominic gave me a tour of my new clinic. Rooms were moved around and shifted to allow for more spacious treatment areas. The operating room had the latest and greatest equipment that I had been dying to purchase for years, and every shelf and cupboard was fully stocked.