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Tess
* * *
My heart pounds with excitement as I hear a car pull into the driveway. It’s 5:55—Dom is five minutes early picking me up for our date.
Mercifully, Cam took the boys out to McDonald’s for dinner so I wouldn’t have to answer any more questions about why I looked so “fancy” in front of Dom.
Seriously. I put on some makeup, jeans, heels and a black V-neck sweater and the kids all acted like I was wearing a ball gown. I may need to spend a little less time in yoga pants and T-shirts.
Zane is with friends and Hannah is in her room with the friend she’s having over. So when Dom rings the doorbell and I answer the door, there’s no one but me here to greet him.
Once again, he has flowers in hand. But my gaze skims across the flowers and locks right onto his. The warmth and happiness swimming in his eyes make my stomach churn even harder. Even with a healing black eye and split lip from his last game, he’s handsome.
I push back the voice in my head telling me this can’t be real. That voice has protected me for a long time, but if I protect myself from everything and everyone, I’ll never experience real love.
It would be scary to admit it out loud, but I want that. I want a partner who comes to my rescue like Dom did when my toilet exploded. Someone I want to look nice for and cheer on at his hockey games.
Okay, it’s not just an abstract “him.” It’s Dom. I want to believe this could be something real and amazing. Maybe it won’t, but if I never even believe there’s a chance, there won’t be.
“You look incredible,” he says as he steps inside. “You’re so beautiful. Every man we see tonight will wonder how I got lucky enough to have you on my arm.”
I smile and take the flowers he offers. “Okay, no need to lay it on quite so thick. Thank you for these.”
He follows me into the kitchen, and I turn to warn him not to step on the Legos on the floor.
After dodging them, he stands by the kitchen table as I put the flowers in an antique vase Cam found at a garage sale for a dollar.
“I really do think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you. I think you’re a solid seven for sure.”
He laughs hard at that, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I love your sense of humor.”
“You look really nice,” I say, admiring his jeans and blue button-down dress shirt.
“Thanks. It’s been a really long time since I did this, so I was hoping this outfit would be okay.”
I lower my brows in confusion. “A long time since you did what?”
“Took someone on a date. It’s been years, actually.”
The fluttering in my stomach returns. “Really?”
He shrugs. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Cam took the boys to get Happy Meals. Zane is out with friends and Hannah’s upstairs.” I finish arranging the flowers. “Ready to go?”
“Ready when you are.”
I get my bag and lock the front door behind us. When I get a look at the driveway, I stop short and look at Dom.
“Did you rent that just for tonight?”
It’s a shiny black Cadillac Escalade that looks brand new. Surely he didn’t hire a driver for our date?
“Nope. I bought it.”
I gape at him. “You bought it? Did you trade in your Mustang?”
