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“I’m in the prime of my life, Kate. This is as good as I’ll ever look,” he had cried loudly.
“You’re ridiculous. Age can make a man look even sexier. And besides, there’s always Botox.”
Eric slapped his hand to his chest. “Are you looking at my forehead?”
“No,” I dragged, avoiding his eyes. “Stop overreacting. You’re missing the point entirely. Love isn’t defined by how one looks. You need to have trust in your relationship, or it will never work.”
I shook my head to rid myself of the memory. Who was I to give relationship advice? Unless, of course, it’s how to be in a relationship with your job. That, I had mastered like a pro. The longest relationship I had was for a year. Even then, I’d barely call it a relationship since he lived in Australia, and I was jetting between the States and London at the time.
Yet something about Dominic piqued my curiosity in ways I hadn’t felt in such a long time, if ever. Like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to the mystery of a man who raised questions even I had asked myself. It’s almost as if he climbed into my soul, studied what
I had been feeling, and repeated it back word for word.
I want to call him. A part of me is unable to shake the moment which passed between us. But what if I’m so desperate for a moment that I’d worked it up in my imagination. The temptation taunted me like a delicious piece of candy, and unable to resist any longer, I made an executive decision to send him a text.
Me: Hey, Dominic. It’s Kate from last weekend. Thanks again for the chat. It was nice meeting you.
The second I hit send, I regretted it instantly. There was absolutely no substance to that text. If I’d gotten a text like that, I’d hit delete faster than you could say next.
A shrill echoed through my office, the ring of my phone startled me and caused my body to jump slightly from my chair. Clasping my hand toward my chest to calm my racing heart, I answered the call professionally, noting the private number.
“Kate Hamilton.”
“Hello, Kate, I’ve been waiting for you to contact me,” a deep voice greeted, an edge of persistence in his tone.
“Who’s this?” I asked, still catching my breath. “Dominic?”
“Yes, the man you texted mere moments ago. I don’t bite, you know, you could’ve called me.”
Embarrassed, I closed my eyes, trying to act adult and not give him a cowardly answer. I couldn’t understand why I felt somewhat intimidated by a man. Inside the office, I had no problem being a strong, confident woman. I demanded things, and I always got what I wanted.
Straightening my posture, I smiled politely, though he couldn’t see me.
“Look, I wasn’t sure if you would remember me. Better to be safe than sorry.”
“How could I not remember you? A beautiful woman like yourself is simply unforgettable.”
There’s that word again being thrown around like it didn’t affect me whatsoever. I’d been called beautiful many times, but the power he had over me only added to the mystery of it all. Perhaps, I’d been overthinking our encounter. He was a stranger, after all, and one who expressed twice now what he thought of me.
“I’m slightly hurt,” he asserted with an air of arrogance. “I was expecting a call sooner.”
“Work gets in the way. You know how it is.”
“Yes, exactly. Work does get in the way,” he stated, pausing only momentarily. “Are you free for drinks tonight?”
I could do drinks. What’s the harm in a friendly drink? Except you want more than just a drink, moron.
“Sure, I’ll come straight from work.”
He told me he’d text me the details but gave me some directions. I listened intently, jotting down what he’d said until he said he needed to go.
“Tonight, Kate, I’ll be waiting for you.”
“See you then, Dominic.”
I hung up on the call. My legs were crossed, controlling this desire which flushed through my body with every word he spoke. A gentle knock on my door from my assistant broke my train of thought and brought me back to reality.
All work and no play—my life as I know it.
