Page 18 of Darkest Retribution

“Yeah.”

Jade narrows her eyes at me, and all of a sudden, the air between us turns hostile. “Rosie, it’s lunchtime. Let’s head inside.”

“Can Mister Dominic eat with us?”

“No. Inside. Now, hon.”

I frown. “Jade—”

“Have a good afternoon, Dominic,” she says, not even bothering to look at me as she ushers Rosie toward the garage.

I stare after them.What the hell just happened?

We were having a nice time, and then... I don’t even know. Did I say something?

Sighing, I head back to my house. Maybe it’s best that Jade ended our conversation so abruptly. I shouldn’t be getting close to her, anyway. Still, I can’t help the feeling of disappointment that settles in my chest. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t shake it for the rest of the day.

Chapter five

Jade

Islapsomestrawberryjam onto a piece of bread too violently, and it spills over the edge and onto the counter.

Fuck.

He remembered. Dominic fucking remembered the day Rosie starts school. I guarantee David doesn’t know. Ashley has some clue, but she probably doesn’t remember the exact date.

So why didhe?

And what the fuck was that dream I had about him last night?

Ridiculous. This entire situation is ridiculous.

I’m not supposed to fall in love. Ican’tfall in love. And I’m not stupid enough to think that’s what this is, butsomethingis there, and it’s too much. Too close. Too real.

After spreading peanut butter over another slice, I slam the two pieces of bread together, cut them in half, and throw them on a plate. The sandwich is a little squished by the time I slide it in front of Rosie at the table, but she doesn’t seem to care.

Why did he have to remember?

And, let’s be honest, that’s not even the worst part.

Rosie has been ready to ride her bike without help for a while now. Sure, she fell last week, but what kid doesn’t every so often?

And Dominic saw it, too. He saw that she was ready but too scared to take the leap by herself. So he kept a hand on her seat, barely even touching it, ready to grab it if she started falling. But even more than that, he made herfeelsafe.

And goddammit, it was nice, watching him give her exactly what she needed. But it was painful, too. Because Rosie is already attached. Apparently I am, too. And there’s no way we can stay.

I’ve fucked things up so badly.

“Rosie, from now on, I need you to stay away from Mister Dominic.”

“But—”

“No buts, honey. I need you to listen to me, okay?”

I don’t look at her. I know without a doubt that she’ll have that sad, disappointed look on her face. The one where her eyes get really big and her bottom lip starts to quiver.

I can’t handle it right now.

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