Just as well. That meant we could come back to Phoenix and win on home ice. That game is tomorrow, and my parents flew in this morning. My sister, Meredith, didn’t come for this one, wanting to save up any vacation days she’d have to use for the Cup finals.
I hurry over to the sink, starting to reach for the cloth, but Dominik’s voice cuts in, startling me. “Stop wiping the counter. It’s spotless.”
“What do you expect me to do?” I ask. He’s been sitting on the other side of the kitchen island, watching me be the picture of domesticity while he sips on a bottle of water.
He seems so casual and relaxed despite the fact he’s way more dressed up than I am. I’m going with jeans and a blouse while he has on a pair of dress pants and a short-sleeved polo.
He reaches across the counter—a silent demand he wants my hand.
To hold.
To reassure me.
I smile and extend mine, placing my palm against his, and his fingers curl around my hand ever so briefly.
“Jesus,” he exclaims with a grimace, snatching away from me and hastily wiping his hand on his pant leg. “Your hand is soaking wet with sweat.”
With a sheepish grin, I wipe my palms on the backside of my jeans. “Sorry… they sweat when I’m nervous.”
“That’s a medical condition you should probably figure out,” he grumbles. “And it just occurred to me that I haven’t ever been around you when you’re nervous. When I’ve held your hand at playoff games, they’ve always been cool and dry.”
“What can I say?” I quip as I pick up my own bottle of water from the counter to take a sip. “I’ve got a strong constitution.”
“Regardless,” he replies dryly, giving me a very pointed look. “Why are you so nervous? This is your family. I should be the nervous one.”
I tilt my head curiously. “Are you?”
“Of course I am. I’ve never met another woman’s family before as a means of officially announcing ourselves as a couple.”
“You’re kidding.”
Dominik chuckles. “Look, Will. I know you have issues, but you must realize… I do, too. Growing up the way I did, it’s not easy to form attachments. I’ve always been a loner by nature.”
I frown, coming around the island to stand close. With him sitting on a barstool, we’re nearly eye to eye. I take his hand, not caring if mine is damp again. “I’ve never seen you that way. You’re always so generous—so inclusive of your time and energy. You focus on people. You help people. You’re not a loner.”
Dominik’s hand engulfs mine, his fingers gently squeezing mine. His eyes are soft and understanding at my misunderstanding. “You can do all those things and still be alone. I can do all those things and not depend on others. And I do those things to give me joy, not because people expect it or it’s required of me, which comes with forming relationships. Just like you—when you aren’t committed to anyone personally, you don’t have the burden of failing expectations. So just know… this is out of my element, too.”
“That makes sense,” I’m forced to admit.
Dominik releases me only to bring his hand to the nape of my neck. He squeezes, leaning in a bit closer. “Tell me why you’re nervous? Maybe I can fix it for you.”
I can’t help but smile. One of the things that’s endeared me the most about him is how much he cares for me, and how he doesn’t like to see me ill at ease over anything. He’s the classic protector.
I inch closer, putting my hands on his shoulders. “Because this is a big step for me. My family saw how hurt I was before, and they’ve been waiting for this. For me to find someone else. Now add on how freaked out they are since they know about my job, they’re all going to come in here with the expectation I’m going to settle down. Probably live in L.A. and have lots of babies with you or something, and never step foot in another foreign land again. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Dominik considers this before giving me a sly look. “I think as long as you don’t give them food poisoning tonight, their expectations are going to be just fine.”
I exhale a tiny growl of frustration. “I’m serious, Dominik. They want me to be happy, so they’ll be all up in my business about it.”
“I want that for you, too, you know.”
“I want it, too,” I assure him. “I want to be happy, and I want you to be happy.”
“Are you? Right now, besides the fact you’re nervous, do I make you happy?”
My answer is simple and comes without hesitation. “Yes.”
His teeth flash in a huge smile. “Now, the big question, Willow… do you trust me not to hurt you?”