One Night Only

Chapter 25

Taking my ice cream cone from the woman behind the counter, I lick it then step aside so Dominic can order. He looks at my cone hesitantly, shaking his head slightly. "I don't know about that colorful shit."

I chuckle, holding it up. "Try it. You'll like it."

Leaning forward slightly, he licks the side of the ice cream. Raising his eyebrows, he nods a little. "I have to admit, that's really good."

"Told you," I say.

"I'll take the same thing."

Once he pays and gets his ice cream, we walk side by side down the sidewalk. The cool breeze is comforting and I feel at peace here. Walking past the big screen and all of the people in front of it, we stop at the swings near the edge of the park. We sit down beside each other, swinging slowly as we enjoy our ice cream. The Sandlot 2 plays on the screen but I can't seem to concentrate on it. "Hey, Dominic?"

"Yeah?"

"I know it's none of my business but I saw you with Aubrey..." I trail off, not knowing what to say.

He takes a deep breath. "Okay," he says slowly. "What exactly are you asking?"

"Well, I've never saw you with a girl so it was odd seeing you with her."

I turn to look at him. He stares up at the screen. "I've been with other women, Madison."

I blush, looking down at the ground. "Well, I assumed you had but why her?"

"She's easy." I look up at him, seeing him shrug as he stares into my eyes. "I wanted something and I knew she'd give it to me." His answer leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Why do I care so much? "I'm a man, Madison. Just because you never saw me with a woman doesn't mean I haven't been with one."

"I know," I breathe.

"You know how I feel about you," he says softly. "So you can only imagine how pissed off I was when you told me you didn't want to speak to me anymore."

The guilt weighs down on me once again. "I'm sorry, Dominic. I didn't do it to hurt you."

He sighs. "I know. It made me angry but most of all I was sad. I didn't understand how you could let me go so easily. I thought our friendship meant more to you than that." I open my mouth to speak but he continues. "But I understand why you did it. And I'm not as angry anymore."

I sigh. "My life has changed so much since I got here."

"I'm glad I found you," he admits. "I just wish I would have been selfish and kept you for myself."

I glance up at him. "You can't say things like that," I groan, standing up. I toss what's left of my cone into the trash. "This is exactly why I ended our friendship. You always go too far."

He raises an eyebrow. "Me? If I remember correctly, you're the one who questioned me on if my thoughts about you were sexual or not."

My face heats, partly from embarrassment and partly from anger. "I wanted to know. I was stupid and pissed off at Owen at the time. You could've lied."

"Then what was the point of asking?"

I shrug. "I wanted to know."

"My feelings for you will never change. However, once you are married, I will respect all boundaries."

"Good."

"Good," he repeats. "Maybe once your married I can find another girl to swoon over."

I smile a little. "Swoon?"

He nods. "Enough about all of this. This isn't why I brought you out. This night is about you so let's go."

"Go where? I thought we were watching the movie."

He shrugs. "We can if you want but I thought we could go for a walk on the beach."

I glance back at the water, noticing a pier nearby. "Can we walk the pier?"

"Of course. Come on."

He heads towards the pier where vendors are lined up and down the walkway leading up to it. We slowly walk through, glancing at the items on each table. We're passing by a vendor with a bunch of bracelets when Dominic's hand catches mine. "What are you doing?" I ask, glancing back at him.

"Getting you one. As a gift," he continues. "Since you're getting married."

He lets me pick one out so I choose the rose gold one with a small plaque for my name and a small heart hanging on the chain. He instructs the man to engrave my name onto the front. As we wait, I turn towards him. "Let me get you one."

He raises an eyebrow. "I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Because they're girly."

I roll my eyes. "Just get a chain. Please," I ask, sticking my lower lip out.

Shaking his head, he turns away for a moment before turning back to me. "Fine. Just a chain though."

Smiling, I help him look for one. He agrees to get the silver chain. Once they're ready, we pay and slowly walk away as we put them on. "Thank you," I say. "Not just for the bracelet but for taking me out tonight and always being there for me."

"It's no problem. You're one of the few people I actually enjoy being around. You make life seem so simple."

I chuckle. "Life is fucking difficult."

"Yeah, but you're just so comfortable. Like everything's easy."

I shake my head. "My mind is the complete opposite."

We walk in silence, nearing the end of the pier. "So how do you feel about tomorrow?"

I shrug. "I'm excited but also nervous and a little sad."

"Why sad?"

"Because none of my family will be there to watch me walk down the aisle. It'll be bittersweet knowing I don't having anyone there."

"You'll have me, Bryant, Michael and Owen. Plus, there's a lot of men and women at the house that care about you. The men will look up to you once you're Mrs. Carter. They'll protect and obey you."

I sigh. "I don't want all of that. I wish we were normal."

He nods a little. "Everything is going to be okay. It'll seem normal to it ou in no time."

"I'm nervous about being married to him," I say softly, stopping at the edge of the pier.

I feel his gaze on me. "Why? Has he hurt you?"

I shake my head. "I'm just afraid that he won't stay loyal. And what if he changes? I feel like I'd never leave because of Bryant because I love him so much."

"Is that why you're marrying him still? Because of Bryant?"

I shake my head. "I love Owen. It's just pre wedding day fear. I'll be fine."

Turning to him, I give him a reassuring smile. This time tomorrow I'll be Mrs. Carter and I'll be on my way to our honeymoon. This was meant to be.

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