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“Do you want me to stay longer?” He smiles and my dad shuffles toward us.
“Dom, here you go. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.” He hands over a book.
Dominic smiles and I swear the room gets brighter. His dental hygienist must be a millionaire.
“Thank you, Mr. Lowe. I look forward to the rematch. You’re a worthy opponent.”
Dad chuckles. “You got lucky today. And call me Micah.”
They shake hands and Dominic turns to leave, but a bang on the door stops him. Only my family is cleared to bypass the front desk and come straight upstairs.
As I walk past Dominic, his masculine cologne wafts into my nose. I don’t know how it’s possible for an entire body to react to a scent, but in that moment, that’s what happens.
I don’t want to analyze the goosebumps, another involuntary clenching or the raised hair on my nape, and I refuse to acknowledge that my entire apartment smells of him. How is that even possible? The man just melts into surfaces.
I cross the room and yank the door open. My Dominic-motivated mood takes a back seat as Bianca barges in.
“Where is he?” my stepmother snaps, but keeps a relatively cool composure. She is not the warmest person, but she is always classy.
I sigh, more for Dad than for me. “For the record, I was trying to talk some sense into him.” I gesture with my head, and Bianca glances over and sees both men still standing by the guest room. Dad is leaning against the doorway with a faint smile.
Bianca straightens, her chin high, and takes the three steps down from the entrance. “Micah Nathaniel Lowe, what were you thinking?” She stops. “Who are you?” Though he was standing beside my dad the whole time, she apparently missed Dominic at first.
He introduces himself and tries to leave, but my dad stops him with one look. I don’t particularly want him to witness any domestic drama, but I’m kind of proud my dad found his mojo and used Dominic to deflect the storm Bianca brought in.
Bianca crosses her arms over her chest and glares at Dominic, then at me, and then she finally lands on the offender. My dad.
“Paris called me to say you’re staying here during the treatment. Why? And why wasn’t I consulted? What treatment? You told me you’re in remission.”
I can see how uncomfortable she is with Dominic’s presence, and it doesn’t look like he feels any better about it. Then her words sink in.
“What?” I press my hands on the banister, still standing near my door. “You underwent treatment already?”
Dominic clears his throat. “I should probably—”
“Stay,” my dad barks, and I’m about as stunned by the command as Dominic is. “Bianca, love, I can’t commute while I’m getting the treatment.”
“Then let’s rent a room at the Four Seasons,” she says.
Why are we not talking about the remission, or the lack of it? I knew Dad didn’t tell us right away, but he’s been dealing with it for a while?
“I don’t want to spend my… time in a hotel. I want to be home.” Dad stumbles and Bianca runs to him. He puts his hands on her shoulders and kisses her forehead.
“This is not your home,” she whispers, her voice trembling. She’s the strongest woman I know, and I’ve never seen her overcome with emotions like right now. It pisses me off, because her being emotional is like admitting she doesn’t believe Dad will be okay.
“You can both stay here with me.” My words surprise me, as well as everyone else in the room.
“Are you sure?” Bianca arches her eyebrows.
“Of course. Soon enough Dad will be done with the treatment and you can return to your home.” I pretend I believe that with all my heart, while the doubt and worry blossom in the deep shadows of my soul.
“It seems we can spare you any further drama, young man.” Bianca dismisses Dominic as though he were there of his own accord. Dad pats his back and shrugs.
“Of course. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lowe.” Dominic takes Bianca’s hand and kisses it.
“I’m Cassinetti. Bianca Cassinetti.” She spares no more time for him and wraps her arms around Dad’s shoulders to walk him into the guest room.
Dominic joins me by the door. “If you—”
