18

Chapter 18
Arin
I awake to the smell of sweet pancakes, rich coffee, and sizzling bacon. After pulling on a basic boxy shirt and a pair of pink pajama pants, I traipse down the hall, listening to my daughter’s bubbly laughter.
“More!” Felicia demands as Elio pours a more than generous helping of maple syrup over her gigantic stack of chocolate chip pancakes.
“I think she has more than enough,” I chide, waltzing over to give my daughter a kiss on the top of her head.
Dominic is seated on the other side of the table, looking frustratingly handsome as always, but also a bit uncomfortable. It’s hard to ignore the distance he’s placed between himself and our daughter, purposefully or not.
He rises from his seat and steps toward me, leaning down to give my cheek a quick peck. There’s a little bit of awkwardness, but only because everything is so new. This is the first time the three of us are all in the same room together. Not quite a family, but maybe getting there?
Of course, his career track still has me questioning if this whole thing is even a good idea.
“I have to get to the office,” he tells me. “So early? It’s not even eight.”
“You sound disappointed.”
I grin up at him. “Then I think you need to get your hearing checked.”
Dominic gifts me with the smallest of smirks before he grabs his suit jacket from off the back of the dining room chair. “Elio will escort you and Felicia to her new daycare.”
“Her new daycare?” I echo. “Wait, I haven’t even checked the place out yet. I need to make sure they’re a good fit for her. What if she doesn’t get along with any of the caregivers?”
“This is a trusted location used by many of my colleagues,” he says robotically.
“Your colleagues have kids?”
“As a matter of fact, many of them do.” Elio answers. “My people are kind of known for their big families. I have seven brothers, myself. They’ve blessed me with a million nieces and nephews. I’m hoping to raise a house full of children one day as well. Just need to land myself a lucky lady.”
Dominic puts on his jacket, smoothing the lapels. “I pity the poor woman who agrees to take you as a husband.”
Elio laughs. “What are you talking about? I’d be an amazing husband.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek, a flicker of curiosity licking the nape of my neck. There’s no denying our age difference. A part of me wonders if at any point Dominic wanted a big family of his own. Was that why he was so adamant about having us live with him after he learned about Felicia? Does he maybe want more children?
My face flushes with heat. I’m getting way ahead of myself. I can’t even begin to put a label on what we are. What if I’m only a fling to him? Am I even ready to consider settling down — and with a mobster, no less? Good grief, this is such a mess.
Dominic’s brows pull together as he reaches to feel my cheek. “You’re looking a little warm. Are you feeling alright?”
“Totally fine,” I reply smoothly, moving away to take a seat next to my little girl. She’s massacring her pancakes one by one. “If you trust the daycare, then I guess that’s good enough for me.”
“I’m glad you trust my judgment.” “When will you be home tonight?”
His face hardens. “I can’t say for certain.”
This time, I genuinely am disappointed. A part of me really wants to spend more time with him, and not just on a sexual level either. I want to get to know the father of my child, but his demanding job isn’t exactly making that easy. Early mornings and late nights… I wonder if this is how it’s always going to be with him.
“I need to stop by my shop,” I say. “To pick up a few things. I’m almost finished with your suits, too.”
Dominic nods. “As long as you take Elio with you, you’re free to do whatever you wish.”
Elio throws me a cheeky salute. “Consider me your personal bodyguard.” From her booster seat at the table, Felicia giggles, copying Elio’s gesture.
Her hands are covered in melted chocolate chips. “More pancakes, please!”
I laugh softly, wiping my daughter’s hands with a nearby napkin before picking her up in my arms. “You can have more after you tell Dom to have a good day.”
Felicia beams up at him, not a hint of fear or hesitation in her sweet face. “Have a good day!” she cheers, reaching out to grasp at his lapel.
Dominic stiffens. His look of discomfort returns. I don’t know understand it. Is he not sure how to be around Felicia? On a base level, I suppose I can’t blame him. Dominic’s been thrust into the role of fatherhood in the blink of an eye. I just hope this adjustment period doesn’t take too long.
He takes her little hand and gives Felicia’s fingers a light squeeze. “Thank you, principessa,” he says before he turns and leaves.
Felicia is unfazed, but I can’t say the same for myself. I place her back in her seat and give her half of a second helping of pancakes. Elio joins me at the kitchen sink, casually leaning against the edge of the counter.
“What the hell was that?” I mumble. “Don’t read too much into it.”
“How can I not? He insisted we come here. The last thing I want is for them to not get along. This is exactly what I was afraid of. What if he doesn’t…”
“What?” Elio presses. “What if he doesn’t like his own daughter?” I swallow, my throat terribly dry. “It’d break my heart.”
“Don’t worry, Arin. I’ve known Dominic for a long time. It’s hard to see, but it’s pretty clear he already loves her dearly.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Think for a moment,” he says, not unkindly. “In our world, it doesn’t pay to wear our hearts on our sleeves. The man is showing affection the only way he knows how.” Elio gestures vaguely to the space around us. “A big home, all the toys and food and clothes she could ever ask for… If you’re expecting Dominic to be the touchy-feely sort of guy, I’ve got bad news for you.”
I consider his words carefully as I watch Felicia polish off her breakfast. Now that I know what he does for a living, I can’t exactly imagine Dominic going around giving hugs and kisses. Maybe Elio has a point. There’s more than one way to show affection, and it seems Dominic prefers more materialistic means. He’s a provider — someone who’ll make sure Felicia and I will want for nothing.
That doesn’t mean I can’t yearn for more.
Elio glances at his wristwatch. “We’d better get going. Traffic’s about to get rough.”
“Sounds good. Felicia, please don’t wipe your hands on your hair. The syrup’s going to make it all sticky.”
My baby girl laughs mischievously, but the sound’s so beautiful I’m not even the slightest bit mad.
* * *
I don’t stay at the shop for very long. I’m only here to grab a few of my designs and some material, as well as to post a note on the window that I’ll be temporarily closed until I can get myself situated at my new location. There’s a lot going on right now, but I can’t put my dreams of my grand debut at New York Fashion Week on hold. With the studio Dominic’s gifted me, I’ll be in an even better position to prepare for my launch.
Elio remains at the front of the shop while I clean off my work desk, throwing as much as I can in a large tote bag. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the business card that Miriam Singh gave me the other day at the restaurant. Things have been too hectic to reach out, but now that I have a moment to myself, today’s as good a time as any.
She picks up on the second dial tone.
“Miriam Singh, Gold Star Agency, how can I help you?”
“Miriam? It’s Arin Wilson. Dominic’s, uh, friend. We met the other day at Nobu?”
“Oh, of course! I’m still thinking about those designs you showed me.” “You are?”
“They were truly breathtaking. I’m really glad you called, actually. I’m about to head into a meeting, but do you think we could meet later for drinks? I’d love to see more of your designs.”
My heart skips a beat. This meeting could literally change my life. “I’d love to meet.”
“Excellent. I’ll text you the address. There’s this wonderful bar I’ve been
meaning to check out. Say around two-o’-clock?”
“I’ll be there.” When the call ends, I’m practically leaping across the shop floor. “Elio! Elio, guess what!”
He quickly tucks his phone away in his pocket. He smiles easily. “Did you just win the lottery?”
“Pretty much,” I say, practically vibrating out of my skin. “I have a meeting with a very important fashion agent. I need to land a spot on her client roster. If I can manage that, I’ll finally be able to start putting together my first show.”
“Hey, that’s great! Where’s the meeting? I’ll have to escort you there, but I can stay out of the way.”
My phone pings. Miriam texted the address in question. I give him my phone to inspect. “Can you drive me here? We won’t need to be there for a while, so I’ll use the time to take pictures of all my pieces.”
Elio’s brow quirks. “The Lilac Fountain?”
“Yeah. It’s a bar in SoHo. That won’t be a problem, right?”
His easy smile returns in the blink of an eye. “No, no problem at all.”