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“It’s just—” She squeezes against me tighter.

“Everything?” I ask gently. “Your grandmother? The new job? Us? I know it’s fast.”

She leans back in my arms, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “I just want to forget for one night,” she murmurs. “To pretend that nothing else is happening. Like you said with your mom, with her music. Nothing else. Just the date.”

I kiss her on the forehead. We only kissed for the first time yesterday, but it feels so natural, no awkwardness, no effort.That’s because it’s too good to be true, my father taunts in my mind.

But for once, I decide not to listen to him.

“Then let’s forget,” I say softly.

“Yeah?” She murmurs, as if she’s surprised, like she’s so used to being beaten down, she’s suspicious of flying.

“Yes,” I say firmly, kissing her again.

CHAPTER 13

IZZY

Dominic: I’m on my way.

Izzy: You shouldn’t be texting while driving.

Dominic: Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.

Ishake my head in disbelief. I was able to get excited about the date before he said he was on his way hereandtexting. Aaron hasn’t contacted me today. Grandma was able to play a game of Scrabble. Life is good. At least, better than I can reasonably expect.

Izzy: You won’t be fine! I’m not texting back until you get here.

Dominic:

His reaction to the message makes me doubt the date for a second. There’s undeniable chemistry there. The heat I feel when I’m in his presence…

But being so casual about dangerous driving is a major red flag in my book.

Dominic: You’ll break my heart. Which is quite an achievement, considering I’d been living under the assumption I didn’t HAVE a heart for a long time.

I ignore the text, looking at myself in the mirror. After drying my hair, I let it stay a little wild, a little messy, which he likes. But now I’m wondering if I went too far. I’m wearing a black dress, one I haven’t touched in two years, with black lace across my cleavage.

I stride into the living room, anxiously holding my phone in my hand.

Dominic: Are you mad at me, beautiful?

Izzy: Is that ANOTHER nickname?

Dominic: I thought you weren’t texting me back.

Izzy: I don’t think joking about reckless driving is funny. You need your full attention on the road.

A minute passes, then a video appears in the conversation. I click it, a smile immediately claiming my lips. It’s a selfie view. Dom is wearing a dark blue suit, his shirt open at the collar. He raises a glass of champagne to the camera, then turns so that I can see the road moving by behind him. He turns the camera to front-facing, presenting the inside of a limo.

Dominic: Happy now?

Izzy:

Izzy: I think you like playing games with me.

The hypocrisy is absurd?—