Chapter 17
BUS
The Caviar Crown didn’t play around with service–or maybe clearing the place out just made it faster.
Either way, the food Brynn and Dominic ordered started hitting the table quick.
And Brynn picked up on something fast: every pick Dominic made was totally her style.
She was picky as heck about food, she knew that much.
“How’d you figure out what I like?” she asked, turning to him, too curious to hold it in.
“Huh? I got your favorites? Dominic grinned, teasing her. “Guess we’re just vibing like that.”
His jokey sidestep made her blush again. She figured it was just a fluke–their tastes lining up by chance.
But as she dug into her plate, she didn’t catch the long, heavy look he shot her way.
But as she dug into her plate, she didn’t catch the long, heavy look he shot her way.
The room went quiet for a minute. Brynn chewed, feeling the silence get a little weird. She cleared her throat and threw out a line. “You know, it’s a bit wild–we barely know each other.”
They were as tight as could be, but still strangers in a way.
Brynn hardly knew a thing about Dominic, and she bet he was just as clueless about her.
“You can probably guess my story, Brynn said, poking at her food with a quiet shrug.
Then she went on, Tm the Everett kid who got switched at birth. My foster parents think I jacked Kylie’s life, so yeah, they just decided to stop loving me anymore.
She let out a quick, flat laugh that didn’t hit her eyes. “So, basically, I’m on my own now. No family–just me.”
“Nah, not just you,” Dominic said, cutting in with a soft but solid tone. He reached over, messing up her hair with a grin “You’ve got me now.”
That warm look in his eyes hit her hard–her chest got all fuzzy, and her heart started racing
Brynn couldn’t believe her luck, tripping into a guy like Dominic at that wedding.
“Uh, anyway…” She coughed, switching gears. “What do you do for work? You’ve never really said.”
Dominic took a sip of his tea, thinking it over for a beat. Tm kinda with the government.”
“Kinda?” Brynn tilted her head, eyebrows up.
She chewed on that, guessing maybe he was a temp or something, not locked in full–time
That’d explain the pause–probably too proud to say it straight, she figured.
“That’s cool, though,” she said, flashing a little smile. “Government jobs might not triake you rich Dependable”
they’re steady.
She hesitated, picking her words. “And, you know, since we’re hitched now, we’re in it together. I’ll chip in–bills, whatever. You don’t have to carry it all.”
Dominic caught her drift and hid a grin, charmed by how serious she sounded.
1/3
15:14 Tue, 8 Apr NA.
Chapter 17
“My paycheck’s not that sad, trust me. I can keep us good,” he said, chuckling like he couldn’t help it.
* 80% #
Brynn figured it was just guy pride talking. Government gigs weren’t cash cows, especially if he wasn’t even permanent. No way he was rolling in it.
“Yeah, we’re just regular people,” she said, keeping it breezy. “No big spending habits. A couple bucks a month, and we’re set. Even if we had a kid someday, we’d figure it-
She stopped dead, realizing what slipped out. Her face went bright red, words crashing to a halt.
When she peeked up, Dominic’s eyes were glued to her, all intense and warm, making her blush even worse.
She’d jumped way ahead–too far, too fast.
They’d just gotten married, and here she was, tossing out kid talk.
He’d think she was clingy or nuts, she groaned to herself.
Explaining would just make it worse, so she coughed and swerved. “Uh, speaking of–you said you’ve got a daughter, right? How old?”
“She just turned five,” Dominic said, his face softening. “She’s awesome–sweet, sharp. You’d love her. But…. she’s got this condition from birth. Her health’s up and down, so she’s still at Eaglemont.”
His smile dimmed a little. “Every time she’s in for tests, it’s rough–hurts a ton–but she doesn’t whine. Just powers through”
He let out a quiet sigh, worry creeping into his voice, his eyes cloudy with something heavy.
Brynn’s expression dropped, picturing a tiny five–year–old, pale and tough, curled up in a hospital bed.
“She’s so little… Brynn said, her voice dropping soft, a twinge of sadness hitting her
She hadn’t pegged Dominic’s kid to be dealing with something that rough
It clicked why he’d jumped into the wedding so fast–probably all for his daughter.
With that in her head, she reached out and grabbed his hand.
Dominic froze for a sec, his eyes flicking up to meet hers.
“Since we’re married now, she’s
́s my
kad too, Brynn said, dead serious. T’m in–I’ll treat her like she’s mine”
Seeing her all earnest, Dominic cracked a warm grin
He leaned in close, his voice low and easy. “Yeah, I know you’ll be a kickass mom.”
As he said it, he brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
It was no big deal, just a little move, but Brynn’s face lit up red anyway.
Her heart started pounding–every time this guy got near, it was like her whole system short–circuited.
After dinner, they hung out a bit before heading out.
The Caviar Crown was steep, no doubt, but man, the food delivered.
Even Brynn, who usually kept it light, couldn’t help going overboard. She was stuffed, groaning to herself.
They’d just stepped out of the private room when Dominic’s phone buzzed. He picked it up and dipped into a lounge
Chapter 17
nearby to take it.
* 80%
“Snagged a random dude to marry and hit the freaking jackpot.” Brynn muttered, watching him walk caff
She spaced out for a second, a dumb grin sneaking onto her face,
It was like nailing the lottery at a sketchy gas station.
Sure, Dominic wasn’t loaded, but with that face, that build, and just being a solid guy? Total unicorn
You didn’t stumble across that every day, and she was quietly stoked she’d locked him down.
“Man, I really hit it big…” she said, her grin going full–on goofy.
“P” A sharp scoff cut her off, and she frowned, whipping around.
Chase was standing there, all moody and glowering, staring at her like she’d just trashed his car.
Brynn rolled her eyes so hard she nearly pulled something. “What’s so funny, jerk?”
Of course she’d bump into this clown. Bye–bye, good vibes.
“Brynn, I saw it all. You still want to play dumb?” Chase snapped, his glare practically sparking.
She blinked, legit lost. Play dumb about what? Her forehead scrunched up as she tried to connect the dots.
“How are you this shameless?” Chase jabbed a finger toward where Dominic had gone. “We just broke up, and you’re already drooling over some other man?”
Brynn stared, then let out a sharp, icy laugh. This guy was off his rocker.
“What, your memory’s toast or are you just deaf?” she fired back, arms crossed. “Did I not spell it out yesterday?”
“Drop the act,” Chase said, his voice kicking up as he grabbed her arm. I get it, you’re mad. But can you cool it already? How long you going to drag this out?”
He squeezed tight, and a sting shot through her wrist. Brynn yanked away, glaring as she rubbed the red spot he’d left. “Are you insane?” she snapped. “I told you–I’m married. We’re over. What part of that sounds like a game?”
Chase’s face twisted when he saw her flinch, clocking he’d overstepped. But her words? He wasn’t buying it. “You’re still acting like this isn’t just you throwing a fit?”
“I know I messed up yesterday, alright? I didn’t mean to,” he pushed on. “Stuff came up–I couldn’t get there on time. I never said I wouldn’t marry you.
He stepped closer, dialing his tone down like he was talking to a toddler. “We can still do the wedding. Why turn this into a huge mess? You’re making us both look stupid–our families too.”
