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He kisses me tenderly. “This is the realist thing I’ve ever experienced.”
“Hello, earth to Alayna,” Tessa says.
I sit up straight, not even realizing that I’ve been slouching, and my gaze snaps to hers. “What? Sorry, I zoned out. What did I miss?”
She smirks at me. “Did someone not get enough sleep last night?”
I don’t miss the innuendo in her tone.
I drop my head into my hands and take a deep steadying breath before I look back up at her and word vomit. “I had sex with Dom last night.”
She stares at me, her eyes wide. “Is that all? I mean, you guys have been together for a while, right? It’s not like this is the first…oh my God, no way! That was your first time together?” I didn’t think it possible but her eyes widen even more. “Holy shit!” She leans forward, her eyes sparking with a barely repressed eagerness. “How was it?”
I tilt my head and give her a look that she reads appropriately.
“Okay, okay, I get it. Not the thing to focus on. We can come back to that later. I guess the better question is why do you look like you’re questioning your sanity?”
“He says it’s real, and I believe him, but does that make me naive? I mean, Dom’s been a player—and not just on the field—for years now. Is it really possible for a guy to flip the switch and suddenly be a loyal, dedicated, and perfect boyfriend?”
She leans back in the chair across from me, contemplating my question. “If it were anyone else I would say probably not likely and you’re being played.” I open my mouth to speak, but she holds up her pointer finger and arches a brow, halting the words before they get a chance to leave my mouth. “But this is Dom. Your best friend and the one guy who has always been there for you through thick and thin, even when he had his shithead moments. He was still there and had your back, so if he’s gonna flip the switch, the only person I could see him flipping that switch for would be you. I also think you need to let go of the idea that he could be the ‘perfect boyfriend.’ No one is perfect, although I can be pretty damn close.” She winks at me. “Dom is going to make mistakes and fumbles, just like you will. So he’ll never be perfect, but he could be perfect for you. That said, you know him better than I do, so if you’re having doubts, where do you think that’s coming from?”
I run my fingers through my hair, digesting her words while trying to process my own conflicting thoughts. “Honestly, I don’t even know. I was feeling fine this morning, but then out of nowhere I just got hit with the thought that maybe I’m stupid for trusting him—trusting this thing between us.”
“This thing between you two was a long time coming. Everyone who’s met you two could see it coming a mile away. So, what’s really driving this?”
I don’t have to think that hard about her question. “My mom said some shitty things when she came to visit.”
“Your mom was in LA?” She raises her eyes to the ceiling before letting out a huff. “I should’ve known. You always get in a funk after she visits.”
“She apparently lives here now.”
Tessa’s eyes go comically wide—again. “Nooo.”
I nod and purse my lips. “I know.”
“Ugh, that is the last thing you need. She will happily sabotage your happiness. You need to talk to her, Alayna. You can’t let her make you feel like this anymore, especially if it threatens your relationship with Dom. You two have come too far and you’re too perfect for each other to let anyone get between you two.”
I let out a heavy breath. God, I’m not looking forward to that conversation. “You’re right. I know you’re right, but talking to her is so hard. She twists everything so that she comes across as just being caring.”
“I think that’s a really polite way to say she’s a manipulative bitch.”
I bite back a laugh. “Something like that.”
“Even if she doesn’t listen to you, because we both know it’s likely it’ll go in one ear and out the other, I think you owe it to yourself—and to Dom—to talk to her. To get your feelings out there and lay down the law. If she can’t support you and keep her shitty comments to herself, then she doesn’t get access to your life at all.”
“You mean cut her out for good?”
“I don’t care if you share the same blood. Your family shouldn’t treat you the way she does.”
I glance out the window, processing and figuring out when I’d even do it. I’m not sure when she’s supposed to get back from her trip, but I agree with Tessa. I’ve let this go on long enough, and I can’t keep having her voice in my head threatening to poison my happiness with Dom.
“I’ll call her tomorrow to find out when she gets back into town. Maybe take her out to dinner or something.”
Tessa nods. “A public place is a good idea. But make sure it’s one that will also give you some semblance of privacy from the press. You and Dom are still making headlines.”
“That’s a good point.” Although thankfully, we’re not making nearly as many headlines as we were. Jen Summers has been quiet the past few weeks which means there hasn’t been any drama to stir up.
Tessa looks down at her skirt before smirking up at me. “So about that bombshell you dropped… You’re not gonna leave your girl hanging, are you?”
