Scratching Her Vinyl

There is no warmth or familiarity in my tone, and I see him visibly wince at my greeting. "Ok, I deserved that," he admits aloud.

He walks across the store until he is standing across the register from me. I stare at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Juliette, I'm not here to argue. I came because I wanted to apologize for running out on you the way that I did. That was…it was a dick move, and I'm sorry."

Once again, I can hear the sincerity in his tone, and there’s a pleading undercurrent to his words. I start to soften a little and uncross my arms. An apology is a good sign, after all. I just want to understand. Maybe it was something I did or said?

I look down at the ground then at him. "Why didn't you just wake me up and tell me you had to leave? I'm an adult, hell, I’m a business owner, if you had to go handle work matters, I would have understood.”

He taps his fingers nervously on the counter before answering. "I didn't want to wake or disturb you. You were sleeping so peacefully." He confesses.

I stare at him in shock, not having expected that answer, and he continues, "In all honesty, you’re the first woman from the auctions that I have ever had stay the night. Hell, the first woman to stay the night with me at all. Ever.”

I’m shocked, but also touched by his confession. I look down at the ground, suddenly feeling shy. "What is it?" He asks.

I'm embarrassed but I will still share it with him. I feel like I owe it to him, vulnerability in exchange for his.

Timidly, I admit, "This is… actually a relief to hear. This whole time I’ve been worried that maybe I was bad at it or something, since this was my first time having sex."

In shame, I bury my face in my hands, sure that I’m sure color of a tomato. Slowly, I peer out between my fingers and after a second of understanding he laughs. "Trust me, that is definitely not the case. You were incredible," he assures me.

I giggle and blush at his words, but after, there are a few tense moments of silence. We both look at each other and finally share a shy smile. I try to memorize every angle of his handsome face. I still can't believe he is here with me right now. It's almost too good to be true. Especially after everything that’s happened.

He looks so handsome, his eyes filled with kindness as he looks at me. I don't think I’ve ever seen him look at me like that before. I definitely would have remembered a gaze like that. I want to lean over and kiss him so bad. I almost do, but I chicken out and look away from him.

He clears his throat softly. I look back at him. He gives me another smile and to my surprise, he starts to walk away. My heart catches in my chest. I try to think of something to say, or a reason to get him to stay, at least a few minutes longer. "Wait!” I call finally, “Is that… really all you came for?" I ask, trying not to sound disappointed, but I know it’s evident in my voice as well as my gaze.

He turns around and hesitates for a few seconds when he sees the look on my face. After that, I realize how silly I must look. "I'm sorry. Of course that was all," I mumble and drop my gaze to the ground.

"Um, would you like to, maybe have dinner tonight?" He asks, interrupting me.

I look up at him in shock, like I can't believe what he's saying. "Of course! I mean, I'd love to!" I reply happily, stumbling over my words in my excitement.

Dom chuckles a little at my reaction. I grab a pen and paper and write down my address for him. I give the paper to him and he puts it in his pocket. "Great, I'll pick you up around 7?" He asks.

"Sounds perfect," I say with a smile.

"Good. I'll call you when I'm on my way,” He says before backing slowly out of the store.

Happily, I watch him walk away. I stand behind the register with a big smile on my face the whole rest of the day. I can’t believe the way today has turned out. I’m start to feel that maybe there is hope for Dom and me after all.Chapter 17 - DominicAfter the meeting with Juliette I feel a little better. More like myself. I leave her store and get back in my car. I was gone for quite a while, but I feel like my life can finally go back to normal. Or at least, some kind of new normal.