“Sorry, but you were taking way too long, and you need an intervention.”
“I do not.” Dom shot back.
“Aha.” Luke grinned in triumph.
“And how do you know my fucking password?”
He gave Dom a pointed look. “It’s your birthday. You’ve used it as your passcode for fucking ever.”
Not anymore.
“Stop reading my messages,” Dom grumbled, but Luke ignored him and tilted the phone screen for Nathan to read.
Curiosity finally outweighed being pissed off, and Dom sighed. “Fine, what does it say?”
Luke handed the phone back to him. “See for yourself.”
Reluctantly, Dom took it and read what was on the screen.
Henry: So, this is me, using your number :) I’ve just got home, and I’ve got to say I miss being on holiday already. Not looking forward to work in the morning. Hope you got back ok. x
“Huh.” Honestly, he was a bit disappointed, which he knew he had no right to be, but he’d been expecting a request to meet up.
Not whateverthatwas.
Dom set his phone down on the counter and glanced up to find Nathan and Luke staring at him. “What?”
“Aren’t you going to reply?” Nathan asked.
Dom took another drink of his beer, putting off answering. “I don’t know.”
Nathan gave in and took a seat next to Dom at the breakfast bar. He nudged his shoulder. “He’s testing the water with that text.”
“I know.”
“If you aren’t interested in seeing him again, then tell him.”
Dom picked up his phone, then put it down again. “I do want to see him again. I think.”
“You think?” Nathan cocked an eyebrow. “Either you like him or you don’t. It’s not rocket science.”
But it wasn’t that easy. “I do like him, I just don’t know if I see it leading anywhere, and I don’t want to go down that path again.”
Nathan knew better than anyone about Dom’s previous relationship breakdowns. He’d been the one to pick Dom up, dust him off, and tell him to get back out there. More than once.
Dom could tell from the set of his jaw that Nathan was about to do something similar again, so he held up a hand to forestall the lecture. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“Good, saves me the trouble of repeating myself.”
Dom laughed, but it died away quickly. “Maybe it’s better to keep it as a holiday fling and leave it at that. I’m still adjusting to breaking up with Sam. I don’t think jumping into something new, with someone who lives over an hour away, is the best thing for me at the moment.”
Nathan sighed but conceded Dom’s point with a nod. “Okay, I get what you’re saying.” He squeezed Dom’s shoulder. “But the timing of these things isn’t always perfect. Don’t let something good slip through your fingers because you’re scared of getting hurt again.”
* * *
Nathan’s wordsstayed with him all night.
It was easy for Nathan to hand out advice. He was happily shacked up with the love of his life, had known Luke wasitfor him about a week after they met.
