AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She answers, “Twenty-three.”
I can see Dominic running the math in his head.
I know what he’s thinking right now. “She’s not yours, Dom. She was born nearly two years later.”
Jade attempts to lighten things for me by saying, “Wow. I’ve always had a crush on him. We could have had a major Greek tragedy on our hands. Are you sure I’m not his?”
I roll my eyes. “Look at you and look at Dom and me. Does it look like the two of us would have produced you?” Dominic is Cuban, with darker skin, eyes, and hair. “I haven’t seen Dominic in over twenty-five years.”
Cassandra asks what I’m sure everyone is wondering. “What the fuck is going on here? I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.”
Her sister, Beth, answers, “Dominic and Amanda dated when they were in college.”
How does she know? I just then notice Dominic and Beth’s close proximity. Is that who she’s dating? Is Beth with Dominic?
Darian clears her throat. “Dominic, if you and Amanda would like some privacy to talk, feel free to use Jackson’s study.”
He looks at me and I nod. We obviously need to talk. It’s way late, but at the very least, I owe him an apology.
He walks over to me. I wouldn’t blame him if he slapped me across the face right now. But that’s not what he does. He simply holds out his arms and I fall into them as if no time has passed.
He breathes, “Cariño.” That was his term of endearment for me in college.
He smells and feels the same. Even though it’s been such a long time, it’s still so comforting. He exudes warmth. I can’t believe I’m hugging the first man I ever loved. I know he lovedme too.
He whispers, “You smell the same. It’s oddly comforting.”
I let out a small laugh. “I know exactly how you feel.”
“Let’s go talk.”
I nod and we walk inside to Jackson’s study. After I close the door, he pulls me into his arms again.
I let out a sob into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Dominic.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I know I ruined your life.”
He caresses me in that loving way he always did. “You didn’t ruin my life. I’m responsible for what happened to me. I lost my temper. I caused it. Regardless, I’ve had a good life. I have no regrets. My only regret was never getting to say goodbye to you.”
How can he be so forgiving after what I did to him?
He lowers his arm and points to the sofa. “Why don’t you have a seat so we can talk. I think we both have questions. I know I do.”
After handing me tissues, he sits across from me. “Mandy, tell me why you left.”
“Because of the guilt.”
“What did you do? Where did you go? I know you had no family.”
“Honestly, I was pretty fucked up for the next year or so. I floated around. The drug use became extreme. I was out of control. I became addicted.” I can barely look at him, so I don’t. “A lot of sex and a lot of drugs. It was bad.”
“Why did you run and turn to all that?”
“I couldn’t handle what I did to you. I numbed the pain. The next year, I met Jade’s father, Declan. I assume you know him?”
“I just met him today.”
