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His brothers had the decency to look ashamed. Dario had a penchant for dating women who loved to cause a scene. The last one his girlfriend caused was at a restaurant Dario stupidly thought would be a safe place to break up with her.
“Hey,” Dario said, defending himself. “I was trying to back out of getting her something for Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want her to read too much into our relationship.”
Darren laughed. “Yeah, but you forgot it was her birthday on the day you decided to break up with her.”
Dominic shook his head. “Clearly I’ve failed you two.”
“Okay, fine,” Dario said, “you ‘dated’ women in the past.” He used air quotes around the word dated. “You’ve never brought a woman home to meet us.”
“Technically you guys are in my house.”
“Dominic, lead by example,” said Alisha. “Tell them how serious this relationship is.”
“She’s special.” Dominic didn’t argue. Instead he told his family about the complications with dating someone on the verge of trying to become Miss Georgia. As he spoke he felt stupid...as if he were saving himself. His brothers, who used to look at him with adoration, now looked at him with pity. “I’m fine with the way things are.”
“If you say so.” Dario drained his beer. “Couldn’t be me.”
“Don’t let him fool y’all into believing he’s not doing anything with Waverly,” Alisha blurted out. “Every night his car’s been parked in my visitor’s space, yet today is the first day I’ve seen him.”
“Alisha,” Dominic huffed.
Alisha shrugged. “What? They’re looking at you with such pity.”
“It’s not pity,” said Darren. “I just don’t want to see you falling into the same trap Mom fell into when our father was alive.”
When Dominic was twelve, his mother went through a rough patch of depression. He didn’t know what it was, but he figured she might have taken it hard when John left. Dominic didn’t have too long to wonder what it meant; he was too busy making sure the twins and Alisha were taken care of. “What trap?”
“Oh, come on, you know how she never dated, either,” said Darren.
Dominic never thought he would be in the same boat as their mother. He dated women. His siblings just didn’t know. But it did make him wonder if he was letting Waverly’s dream put their future in the back seat.
Alisha scratched her chin. “You’re right. Mom is very attractive.” She flipped her hair off her shoulders. “Everyone always says how much we look alike. I know how many men hit on me when I go out—I can only imagine how it is with her.” All three Crowne men stopped and stared at their sister. Alisha flicked her hand at them. “But carry on.”
A few months ago, Will had tried to warn Dominic about the same thing. Waverly’s quest for the title kept her busy. But things were what they were and he understood. “Look, I’m not going to discuss my relationship with you all.”
“No one is asking you to,” Dario and Darren chimed together.
Dominic’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket. He wondered if it was Waverly. The clock on the stove behind Dario said it was after five.
“We just don’t want you to fall to the wayside,” said Dario. “You’re no spring chicken.”
Dominic flipped his brother the middle finger while he checked his phone.
Running a pageant-worthy errand with my mom; running late.
Dominic swiped the screen and drained his beer. It irritated him she broke a promise. He second-guessed himself. Who was he to stand in her way? But he made a mental note; this might be strike one for her. Dominic loved Waverly but he wasn’t going to be strung along. “All right, guys, are we ready to get this decorating thing done?”
Confused, Alisha shook her head. “I thought we were waiting for Waverly?”
“Pageant duty calls,” Dominic said, walking out of the kitchen.
Chapter 11
The moment Waverly entered Crowne’s Garage the next day, she knew something was wrong. Alisha greeted her as usual, but upon entering Dominic’s office, he scowled. Guilt washed over her for not getting over to his place last night for the tree trimming with his family, but his final text before she stopped hearing from him said that he understood.
“Hey, babe.” Dominic wiped his hand over his face to fix his frown. He set his phone down on top of his car desk and came around to wash his hands before greeting her, as he always did. Waverly sidestepped him and stood in front of the bathroom.
“Stop.” She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. “You don’t have to wash up before you touch me.”
