Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Lovie’s there all night tonight?” Dom asks, his face taking on a new look. His eyebrows are drawn, and his mouth is twisted in consideration.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Well . . . why don’t we mix it up a little then? I already planned to go out tonight. Why don’t you come with me?”
My chin jerks back. The whole concept of this conversation is so foreign I’m having actual trouble grasping it. “Go out? Like, as in . . . out?”
“Yeah, why not?” Dom chuckles. “A little beer and karaoke. Maybe even some food if you’re feeling peckish.”
I laugh, overwhelmed by the feeling of . . . freedom. Of interest. Of . . . companionship. “Actually. Yeah. That sounds really good.”
“Great.” Dom smiles, and this time it touches the corners of his eyes. The sight sends my heart skipping a beat. And your vagina, well, she’s feeling awfully perky right now.
Clearly, I need to get it together.
We’re just making it to his car in the garage, and he holds the door open for me to climb inside. I do, but with what feels like a million tiny butterflies inside my stomach. Their wings are moving so fast it feels like I have to work to settle my ass in his passenger seat.
I tuck my purse down by my feet, and when I glance over my shoulder, my eyes catch sight of the brand-new car battery he bought. For me.
The reality of it hits me again. He didn’t have to do this—any of this. And yet, here he is, going out of his way, making me feel like I’m worth the effort.
The secret smile that wants to spread across my lips can’t be stopped.
My gaze lingers for just a moment too long as he climbs into the driver’s seat. Maybe it’s the way he adjusts the seatbelt across his broad chest, or maybe it’s the way his jawline looks even sharper in the soft light of the garage. Whatever it is, there’s no denying it—I’m starting to want Dominic Dunn.
9:00 p.m.
After we left the parking garage, Dom took me to a little diner called Mo’s to grab a bite to eat. We ate cheeseburgers and fries and managed not to talk about my Call Me Anytime calls or the case he and Shane are working on.
It was a breath of fresh air.
Once we finished our meals and he paid the bill, I figured he was going to drive me home, but Dom had other plans. “Mo’s was just a pit stop, Hannah. Honky Tonk Parade is the main event.”
I can’t remember the last time I was here on Broadway—the most famous street in downtown Nashville—within the vibrant display of bars and dancing and live music and crowds of people.
But I can say it’s certainly a stark contrast to my normal life.
“You good?” Dom asks, handing me a beer while I settle onto the wooden stool at the edge of the long bar and make myself as small as possible. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a crowd like this or attempted to be social, and as good as it felt thirty minutes ago, it’s starting to turn a little overwhelming.
“Yeah.” I push through, though, smiling in answer. “This is just a little crazy.”
Dom laughs. “Honky Tonk is always like this on a Friday night. I know it’s a little much at first, but you’ll get used to it soon.”
I nod, taking in the band on the stage and the people dancing in front of it, wondering what it would be like to be them. I don’t know their stories, obviously, but I imagine them being wildly different from mine if they find themselves here and already vibing.
“You come here a lot?” I ask, leaning in toward Dom’s ear so I don’t have to yell so much my voice strains. It’s literally so loud I can hardly even hear myself outside my brain.
“What is a lot?” Dom asks with a smile before nodding and leaning into me to talk directly in my ear. “I’m here at least once a week, and I’ve been coming for the last fifteen years or so.”
“Wow.” I laugh. “So they know you well.”
He smiles. “Something like that.”
Shane smacks him on the back in hello, startling me slightly. I pull back to take a drink from my bottle. His eyes narrow a little when they lock onto my face, but eventually he smiles at me in greeting too. “Well, hello, Hannah. Fancy seeing you here.”
“It’s certainly not my usual MO,” I answer with a little self-deprecating smile. “But Dom talked me into coming out for a drink or two before he takes me home.”
“Did he now?” Shane asks, glancing at Dom for a moment before looking back at me.
“Yeah.” I’m sure my smile is sheepish. “I guess you could say I was spiraling a little—as usual.”