After an hour, we moved on to darts. Turned out I couldn’t focus on that either. But still who cared? I’d been thoroughly kissed by a sexy man. My ex was livid, and the fact that I lost seemed to motivate everyone to try harder to win. All in all, we were going to raise a lot of money for the kids, and that made my heart happy.
‘All right, everyone, we’ll wrap this up in thirty minutes. Then you have an hour time to change before dinner. It’s nothing fancy, but I think you’ll like it nonetheless,’ Monika said. Then she came up to us. ‘Hey, you two.’ Next to me, Dom stiffened. ‘Word on the street is, you’ve been an item for a few weeks.’
I looked at Dom, who whistled. ‘That was fast.’
‘Hey, good news always spreads quickly. I’m happy for you.’ She didn’t sound happy at all. In fact, she was glancing at me as if trying to figure out what he’d seen in me.
She raised a brow. ‘Funny! Neither of you mentioned anything when I made the seating arrangements. I actually thought the first time you met was at the party.’
My jaw ticked, and Dom took my hand, intertwining our fingers and squeezing in assurance. The contact electrified me.
‘No, that was a happy coincidence,’ I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
‘Well, I’m glad to hear the good news.’ She turned abruptly and walked away without a backward glance.
When dinnertime rolled around, I changed into an evening dress. Nothing too flashy, just a classic little black dress paired with my favorite turquoise Manolos. When I stepped out of the room, I hesitated in front of Dom’s door. We should have coordinated this—it would make a better impression to arrive together. Or was I overthinking this? Even real couples didn’t spend their whole time glued to each other. Mind made up, I headed to the main restaurant and bar area on my own.
There were quite a few people gathered at the bar, including Dominic. He stood at the counter, his gaze moving down my body and then slowly back up. Was he doing that on purpose, or was it just his reaction to me? I walked straight toward him.
‘What can I get you?’ he asked once I reached him.
‘A Negroni, please.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘I’ll have the same,’ he told the bartender, and I watched him intently as he mixed the drinks.
He added a lime, which I hadn’t seen before. I didn’t know it was part of the recipe.
‘It’s my favorite cocktail,’ I told Dom.
‘I haven’t had it before.’
‘I think it’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day. And maybe listen to jazz music.”
He wrinkled his nose.
‘You don’t like jazz music?’ I asked.
‘Can’t say I’ve listened to it too much.’
‘It’s one of my guilty pleasures, along with fries and dessert, but I don’t order those too often. Usually when I go out with my sister, she’s the one who orders them, and I just steal from her plate.”
Monika came up to us. ‘There you are. Reese, you look stunning as usual.’
‘Thank you. You as well, Monika.’
‘Would you like to say a few words to the crowd? You always rally everyone to open their wallets.’
I rolled my shoulders back, standing straight. ‘Of course.’
I didn’t like to be the center of attention, but this was for a good cause. I was the type of person who liked to organize things behind the scenes. Kimberly and I loved to plan family events for our cousins, birthdays and the like, but I never wanted to be the focus of anything. It wasn’t my thing.
‘I don’t think you need a microphone, right?’ she asked.
‘No, the room isn’t that big.”
Monika turned, speaking to the attendees. ‘All right, everybody. Before we begin, Reese Maxwell would like to say a few words.’
The group clapped as I looked around the room, happy that Malcolm and Francesca weren’t here yet.
‘Welcome, everyone,’ I said. ‘Thank you all for giving your best today. I’m pleased to announce the De Monet charity is now $300,000 richer. But I’m sure we can get that number higher before the weekend ends.’ Monika had messaged me with the total sum as I was getting ready.
I spoke more about what the funds would be used for, and then a few people asked some questions about donations.
Then a guy asked, ‘What happened to winning at archery all the time, Reese?’
I couldn’t remember his name, but he’d attended last year’s event too. I wasn’t sure if he was heckling me or just teasing, but I decided to play along.
I glanced at Dom, wiggling my eyebrows. ‘Oh, I’ve been distracted.’ It wasn’t even a lie. ‘Now, I’ll match the biggest bid for tonight. I encourage you all to be as generous as possible. As you know, it’s for a great cause. We’re making kids happy.’
‘Hear, hear,’ the same guy said.
Everyone clinked glasses before going back to their conversations.
‘That was short and to the point,’ Dom said. ‘And I’ll match the donations too.’
I whipped my head in his direction. ‘That’s a lot of money.’
‘I know. Your speech won me over.’ He leaned closer to me. ‘And your kissing skills.’ He smiled wholeheartedly, and it melted all my defenses. Did he mean it? Did he say it just to get a reaction from me to make this seem more real to onlookers? I couldn’t tell. And I wasn’t sure I cared. I was enjoying this evening much more than I’d thought possible.
I leaned even closer so I was practically speaking against his cheek. ‘You’re one to talk. I almost swooned out there earlier.’
‘Great. That was the reaction I was going for.’
For a split second, I thought he might kiss me again. He turned his head toward me, and I felt his exhale against my lips, but instead of sealing his mouth over mine, he straightened up.
‘Come on, let’s go,’ he said.
‘Where?’ I asked.
‘You didn’t hear Monika saying dinner is starting?’
‘No, I guess I was distracted again.’
He took my hand, and we headed to our seats.
Dinner wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. Francesca and Malcolm didn’t approach me. I made conversation with a few other participants I knew from previous years. No one was in the hotel industry, so there was no business talk. Although I always kept my ears open for any information that could help any Maxwell family member. You never knew when an opportunity might pop up.
The food was arranged buffet style, and they’d put the pans on chafing dishes, so everything stayed warm throughout the evening. There were drinks after dinner, too, but I was in no mood for that. I kept glancing behind me at the clock. I hadn’t brought my phone with me and was ready to head back to my room.
Where is Dom? He’d wandered off a while back to talk to some of the others in attendance, but I had a feeling we should probably be on the same page about this. Finally, I spotted him by the window, deep in conversation with a woman I didn’t know, and walked over that way. She seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place her.
‘Anyway, I was so sorry to hear about the two of you. I thought you made a nice couple,’ I heard her say when I was close enough.
Oh shit. Was she talking about his ex?
‘Hey, I was looking for you,’ I said, and Dom glanced up at me. His eyes were cold, but I could see life coming back to them when he realized it was me.
I looked at the woman he was speaking with and asked, ‘Do you mind if I take him away?’
‘Not at all.” Her response was indifferent, which was fine with me.
I walked a few steps away, and Dom joined me a moment later.
‘Who was that?’ I asked, then realized I didn’t have to know everything he was doing. This fake weekend was just that—fake.
But he cleared his throat and answered me anyway. ‘Someone who knew my ex and me.’
‘I should have come over earlier.’
‘It’s fine. I can look out for myself.’
‘Yeah, but this weekend is all about having each other’s backs. Anyway, I know everyone’s going to head for drinks, but I’ll just call it a night and go to my room. In case anyone asks,’ I clarified so he didn’t wonder why I came over like a lunatic to tell him my plans.
‘Sure. See you tomorrow morning, Reese.’
What was that in my chest? Was it disappointment? Yes. Yes, it was. I think deep down, I’d hoped he’d offer to come back to my room to… to what? Spend the evening talking?
I was ridiculous.
‘Okay, see you,’ I said, hurrying out of the room. I was beyond lucky that Malcolm and Francesca had stayed away from me this evening. I went through the narrow corridors, yawning. I just needed a good night’s sleep, and tomorrow I could do this all over again.
Once I reached my room, I locked the door behind me, kicked off my shoes, and removed my dress. After a quick shower, I changed into my nightie and went to lie in bed, then opened my Kindle.
I typically only read one chapter before I fell asleep. Two chapters later, I accepted that it simply wasn’t going to happen tonight. I’d always had problems sleeping, but I’d gotten better at keeping it under control lately. My insomnia came back whenever I was stressed, though. And having to deal with Malcolm yet again definitely counted as stress.
I got up and began pacing a bit. My doctor had instructed me to get out of bed when I couldn’t sleep; if possible, I was supposed to get out of the room too.
Much easier when I was at my apartment. I didn’t want to run through the hotel like a weirdo.
I glanced out the window. The moon was huge. It wasn’t full yet, but it gave a lot of light. I could go for a walk. Most people were probably still at the bar, but I bet there was no one on the back porch where I’d noticed a seating area earlier today.
I changed into jeans and a sweater, putting on a jacket as well, and headed that way.
***
Dom
I only stayed at the bar for one drink before realizing this wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to go back to my room. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. For sure, I’d fantasize about Reese. It surprised me how obsessed I’d become with her in such a short amount of time.
I needed to clear my head, so I went outside. It was cooler in the evening than it had been during the day, but it was just what I needed. I had to get my thoughts straight and my libido under control.
I walked around the corner, remembering there was a sitting area there. Right now, everyone seemed to be busy schmoozing inside, so with any luck, it would be empty.
I turned around and stopped in my tracks. It wasn’t empty. Reese was sitting there, holding her phone. No, wait. It was bigger than that. It had to be a tablet. The light was illuminating her face, which was scrunched up in concentration. She looked fucking adorable.
What was it about this woman that disarmed me so quickly?
Get your shit together, Dom. You need your guard up. Remember what happened the last time you let it down.
‘You didn’t go to sleep after all,’ I said.
Reese gasped, straightening up and placing a hand on her chest.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.’
‘I was so immersed in my book that I didn’t even realize you were here.’ She pressed a button, and the light on her tablet went dark. But the moonlight was strong enough that I could still see her perfectly.
I went up the steps, and she tucked her feet under her, making space for me. The small couch was like a swing, and when I sat down, it moved a bit.
‘What were you reading?’ I asked.
‘A thriller. It wasn’t my best idea considering how dark it is around here. I was wondering how I’d manage to go back to my room.’
I leaned closer. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be your escort.’
She pressed her lips together. I repeated my last sentence, waggling my eyebrows, and we both started laughing at the same time.
‘Not my best line,’ I admitted.
‘No, it was just what I needed,’ she said, holding her belly as laughter shook her. ‘I didn’t think anyone else would be out here.’
‘It wasn’t exactly my scene. And I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep.’
‘Oh, a fellow insomniac?’
I frowned. ‘No. I just didn’t feel tired yet. You have trouble sleeping?’
She nodded, running her hand through her hair. I barely held back from reaching out and wrapping my fingers in it. I’d been close to her all day, and now it felt unnatural to push down my interest.
It’s all for show, I reminded myself.
‘I’ve had trouble sleeping since I was a little girl,’ she said. ‘It started after we lost Mom. I kept searching for her in the evening.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
She was quiet for a beat before adding, “Thanks. I don’t know why I brought that up.”
“I don’t mind.” I was interested in her story. Reese was a beautiful woman with a huge heart, and I’d never met anybody like her.
“Anyway, I tried a lot of therapists over the years. I even have a sleep schedule. I try to avoid screen time for a few hours before I go to bed. I couldn’t resist reading, though. But they’ve all told me that if I can’t sleep, I shouldn’t stay in bed. If possible, I should get out of the room, walk a bit. I saw this place earlier today and wanted to enjoy it by myself.”
‘That makes two of us,’ I replied. ‘Want us to just sit quietly?’
She laughed softly. ‘We can try.’
For a few minutes, neither of us spoke, and it was perfect. This moment was just what I needed, and I thought it was exactly what she wanted too.
‘Thank you for today,’ she said eventually.
‘What do you mean?’
‘The show you put on was very helpful and very convincing.’
‘Oh, yeah.” The fucking show. I was starting to wonder if any of it had been for show at all. I’d used every opportunity to be close to her, and I had zero regrets.
‘You still have feelings for him?’ I blurted. It was none of my business, but I needed to know.
‘That’s a loaded question. I want to slap the shit out of him every time I see him. Does that count as a feeling?’
I chuckled. ‘Hell yes.’
‘But it also hurts every time I see him with her, so maybe somewhere deep down, I do still have feelings for him. Even my therapist hasn’t been able to work that one out.’
Fuck, that stung. But why? I wasn’t looking for a relationship. Hell, I just got out of a nightmare of a marriage, for God’s sake.
‘But I couldn’t ever see myself getting back with him,’ she continued. ‘He’s hurt me and my family so much over the years.’
‘What do you mean? He physically…?’ I was going to punch that moron.
‘No, no.’ She shook her head. ‘But as I told you, he tried to cause a lot of trouble with lawsuits, general harassment. But my cousin Declan, the lawyer, put the fear of God in him. At least that’s what I thought. Malcolm moved away from Chicago for a bit after that, and I don’t like that he’s back.’
‘Want me to find out why he’s here?’
‘Don’t worry. I’m sure my cousins are already on it. Even though I didn’t tell them a word about him.’
‘Then how would they know he’s in Chicago again?’ I asked.
‘They know everything.’
‘And you don’t mind?’
‘No, not one bit. They’ve always been protective of me and my sister. Anyway, it’s been a while since we had to deal with Malcolm. I hope he won’t cause any trouble. Maybe he just wanted to come back to Chicago because it’s where he’s from.’ She seemed to be talking more to herself than to me.
‘How long ago did you two split up?’
‘Years ago.’
I jolted my head back. He’s been hassling her ever since? What an asshole.
She dipped her head. ‘I’ve been working on getting myself back on track ever since. But I still haven’t healed completely.”
‘Go easy on yourself. Your fiancé cheated on you with your best friend. There’s a lot of trauma to deal with from that.’
‘Yeah. And it’s not like I haven’t dated in the meantime.’
That got my attention. So she did date.
Reese cleared her throat before continuing. ‘It was just all so shitty—what happened, I mean. It kind of took the fun out of dating.’
I could work with that. Why did I suddenly want to prove to her how much fun I could be?
