“For a sandcastle.” He tosses the shovel on top of the other toys.
“Why would we be building a sand—” The words die.
My heart slams once and I’m back in that studio: bright lights and an interviewer asking me to describe our “first date” while I made it up—the picnic, the sunset, the sandcastle. He hated that story and told me no one would believe it. Called it embarrassing and pathetic.
“The interview,” I say.
Dom nods, and I shake my head.
“You made up a solid first date,” he shrugs. “Felt rude not to follow through.”
“You nearly bit my head off after I made up that story.”
“And I apologize.” He steps closer, gaze lowering. “I’d like the chance to turn your fantasies into reality.”
Heat floods my cheeks as his eyes drop. He remembered. And not only that—he made it real.
“So, I was right… the captain is smitten after all.”
Dom moves closer, crowding my space. I crane my neck to look up at him, heart fluttering.
“The captain is starving. And it’s either you or the food. So, make your choice.”
I fold my arms and sink onto the mat.
Dom settles beside me, one leg stretched, the other bent. His shoulder brushes mine, and I’m still trying to process that any of this is real.
“So…” I glance sideways. “Is this a date?”
He opens the bottle with a soft pop and raises a brow. “Does it look like a business meeting?”
He pours the champagne and hands me a flute with a small wink.
Oh my God, this is so a date.
“To our first date,” I say, lifting my glass.
“Technically,” he raises his, “this is our second.”
“You’re counting Minnesota?”
“Aren’t you?”
I sip, remembering his hands on my waist and his breath at my neck as he taught me to skate—how easyit was to lose track of the game we were supposed to be playing. My cheeks heat.
I glance back toward the house. “This whole place is yours?”
He nods. “Spent part of my first Blazers check on it.”
“Why not sell this one?”
The sun hits the flecks of gold in his eyes. He looks younger, softer—still intimidating, but a little more boyish.
“I didn’t have the heart to.”
“You? Having a heart?” I tease. “Didn’t know you came with one.”
“I keep it under the tattoos.”
