Send.
Big Guy: I can’t have your friends thinking poorly of me.
Me: Pretty sure the eight hundred dollars of sushi you had delivered took care of that.
Send.
Big Guy: I’m glad you had a good night, Angel.
Big Guy: Did you enjoy your dinner?
I look down at the mostly empty platters on the coffee table.
Me: I did. Thank you for ordering it.
Send.
Big Guy: Next year I’ll be home for Thanksgiving, and we can host some of my family if you’d like.
My eyes lock on the last bite of pumpkin pie.
I’ve never really cared about the holiday before, but the idea of celebrating it with Dominic twists something inside my chest.
Me: Okay.
Send.
Big Guy: How is it so fucking hot here?
Me: Baby.
Send
Me: But feel free to bring some of that warm weather back home with you.
Send.
Home.
Fuck.
Big Guy: Heading into Mexico. Should just be one more night.
Me: Surprised they let you in and out of the country.
Send.
Big Guy: Let me. Cute.
Me: How’s Mexico?
Send.
Big Guy: A waste of time. I’ll be home tomorrow. Keep your calendar open. We’re going to dinner.
CHAPTER 47
Val
“Ready?” Rob is standing next to the front door.
I blow out a breath and nod my head. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Rob chuckles, but my hands are shaking as I pull my jacket on over my dress.
It’s just dinner with my husband, but he was gone for over a week, and I’m unbelievably nervous about seeing him again.
We’ve texted every day and have even talked on the phone, and not just the major meltdown I had that one night. So it’s not like I haven’t heard from him since he left. It’s just…
I step into the elevator behind Rob and lean against the wall.
My ears pop as we descend, and privately, to myself, I can admit the biggest problem about today.
Today is my birthday.
I don’t think Dominic knows. He hasn’t said anything.
And I don’t need him to. Honestly, I usually do everything I can to forget my birthday, so I certainly won’t be bringing it up. But…
I glance down at my outfit and bite back a sigh.
Dom didn’t tell me anything about the restaurant, but he’s always dressed nicely, so I decided to try and match his vibe. And secretly, I dressed as though I’m going to a fancy birthday dinner. Because even if I’m the only one who knows, I can pretend that’s what we’re going out for. And I want to feel the part.
I’ll never admit I had Dom in mind when I selected this navy-blue dress. It’s a wrap dress, my favorite type, but the off-the-shoulder style is not my usual choice. My whole neck and chest are on display—accented with my small gold heart necklace and earrings—but the long sleeves make the dress feel modest. And instead of my usual wedges, I opted for knee-high brown boots—with a heel.
The boots are made of fake leather, which makes them comfortable and allows them to stretch over my calves.
I just did a high ponytail for my hair because not only could I not decide on a style, but curling my thick hair takes forever and I wasted all my time trying on every dress in the closet.
During our brief walk to the car waiting out front, I’m thankful I added my coat. The knee-length tan peacoat hides my dress completely, but it helps block out some of the chill.
They weren’t lying when they named this the Windy City. I don’t know if it’s the lake or what, but the air seems bitter cold today.
From the back seat of the SUV, I watch as the city passes my window. It’s not that late, but this time of year means the sun set hours ago. So it’s up to the streetlights and glowing signs to light the world around us.
November twenty-ninth. Just another day.
The driver steers to the right and stops at the curb in front of a small restaurant.
The establishment’s windows are tinted, so you can’t see in, but a dark red awning over the door proclaims it as Enzo’s.
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but some of the best places are like that.
Rob gets out of the vehicle and comes around to open my door.
I climb down and adjust the tie on my jacket when I notice two men in black suits standing on either side of the restaurant’s front door.
Dom put security outside the restaurant? Does he always do that when he goes out?
I take a deep breath.
Today is just another day. And this is just a dinner.
Rob stays behind me as we cross the sidewalk.
“Ma’am.” One of the men greets me as he pulls the door open.