Page 79 of Miss Treated

“It, uh, it might be awkward to show up immediately following the assignment.”

“It won’t be. I told my dad I was taking you out for our first official date tonight.”

She almost choked on her champagne. “You did?”

“Yes. I think he was surprised, but I made it clear you wouldn’t go out with me until you no longer worked for us. Wait, are you mad?” Shit, perhaps I should’ve run it by her before telling my dad.

“No. I guess I was taken off guard. What did he say?”

“He said he was happy for us.” It was a stretch, but I didn’t want her to take my father’s reaction or lack thereof as an insult. That’s just who he was.

“Okay. Good. But tomorrow is for family, and I’m not sure—”

“It’ll be fine. Better than fine. It’ll be great. My mom has asked me numerous times if you’ll come, and you’d get to meet my brothers and my cousin Ava.”

She frowned at the last name.

“Don’t worry, she has no clue you thought I was dating her.”

“Uh-huh.”

She still seemed off. Maybe I was pushing her. “How about you think about it? You ready for dinner tonight?”

“Yes. Definitely. Let me put on my shoes, and then we’ll go.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Kelsey

“How is your salmon?” Dominic sat across from me at the seafood restaurant he’d selected. It was the perfect first-date venue: by the water, incredible food, and romantic setting.

“It’s delicious.” I was totally screwing up our first date. The problem was I couldn’t get my head past this party tomorrow and whether I should go.

On one hand, I wanted to be his date and meet Dominic’s brothers and cousin and see his mother again. I hoped he’d realize I was invested in him and a future. But on the other, seeing Sophia at a family party and knowing my job had been to prove her embezzlement—that would be awkward as hell.

But only in my head. Gerard wasn’t about to sling accusations at a family party, and I had to stop ruining all of Dominic’s effort for our first official date by overthinking it all. I took his hand across the table. “Thank you for dinner. It’s been a long week, and tonight has been the highlight.”

He beamed. “What are you plans after this?”

“I plan on driving up to my brother’s place on Monday. What do you think about coming up yourself next weekend for dinner?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Do you know where or when your next assignment is?”

“I don’t. This was set up by my brother. Although he’d be happy to pave the way for other assignments, I’d prefer to find something on my own. Matter of fact, I think I’m ready to start interviewing for something more permanent.”

“Up in LA?”

“I don’t know yet.” I’d once given up my future for someone else, and worried I might become too accommodating again.

“Wherever you decide, I’d like to keep seeing you. Even if it means driving up to LA every weekend.”

“You’d be willing to do that?” Long distance would be tough, but the fact he was open to it made me happy.

“We could also meet in Orange County, halfway. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m committed to doing whatever it takes.”

My smile went wide at discovering we were on the same page. “Me too.”

“Good. What do you think about taking a week while you’re in between jobs and taking a vacation somewhere?”