He had to be sure Sorensen Construction—and his dad—would be okay before he jumped ship.
“What does Kate think about all this?”
Dominic looked up to find Cruz watching him. “About what?”
“Don’t play dumb. About your future, whether you’re staying here, opening your new business, going back to school… I’m assuming you are serious about her, considering it’s been years since you brought anyone around to meet the family.”
“Hasn’t really come up.”
Cruz’s brown eyes beamed into him and Dominic shrugged.
“You’re seeing some fancy attorney at some pricey downtown law firm and your career, your future, hasn’t really come up?” Cruz sat back and folded his arms in front of him. “I knew something was suspicious about the timing of this whole thing, what with Daisy needing an attorney and your sudden infatuation. You’re full of shit. Level with me. What’s going on?”
Damn. He’d never been able to get anything past Cruz, and he guessed he should count himself lucky they’d made it this far. He shook his head. “Fine, you’re right. I met Kate, like I said, because I was going to work on her house. But then we both discovered that we had some…issues in our life and that maybe we could help each other out.” Dominic explained the details of the agreement to Cruz, who just shook his head and looked at him like he was an idiot.
“This isn’t going to end well, you know. When Mom and everyone find out this was part of a scam, they’re going to kill you.”
“I don’t see why they have to find out. People break up all the time. When the time’s right, we’ll amicably break up and move on.”
“You’re delusional.” This time Cruz cracked a smile, his eyes more sympathetic.
“How’s that?” Dominic sat back and waited.
“I saw the way you two looked at each other at dinner the other night and if you think this is just a business arrangement, then you’re an idiot.”
Dominic was silent. He couldn’t convincingly deny that he was attracted to Kate and that she had recently taken a leading role in all of his fantasies. What that meant wasn’t something he was ready to think about just yet.
“I’m a grown man, so I’ll figure it all out.”
“Fine. Dad’s surgery is Friday morning. Have you and Kate worked out whether she’s going to make an appearance at the hospital? You know, to show support as a dutiful and loving girlfriend?”
He hadn’t thought about it. But Cruz made a good point. Man, this thing was trickier than he’d expected. But he’d figure it out. He glanced at this watch. Well, whatever lies he had to tell would be worth it since, as they were speaking, Daisy was meeting with Kate and getting the help she and those kids needed.
And if it meant he had to spend a little more time with the beautiful Kate, then so be it. It was a burden he was more than happy to bear.
Chapter Twelve
“I’ll have my assistant file the divorce petition and motion for a temporary order with the court no later than tomorrow,” Kate said early Wednesday afternoon. “The temporary hearing will be scheduled before one of the commissioners soon after, and my assistant will give you a call with the date, so be sure you call that number and schedule a time to attend the divorce orientation before then. There’s no reason you and the kids should have to wait any longer for your husband to start making the child support payments you’re entitled to.”
“Thanks, Kate.” Daisy nodded, her eyes still as sorrowful as they’d been when Kate first met her, but there seemed to be a new gleam in their brown depths. Hope, maybe. She was dressed in a pretty wraparound dress and heels, her black hair long and flowing. One thing was for certain—once Dominic’s sister was ready to start dating, Kate couldn’t imagine she’d have to wait long for some lucky guy to swoop in. She was beautiful.
“Like I said, you’re doing me a favor, too, so I’m just glad we could both help each other. Although I think I’ll enjoy making your husband squirm a little more than usual.”
“Good. Because honestly? I’m through mourning for him. Waking up this morning, I think I had my first taste of anger.” This time Kate saw a more steely, determined look in her eyes. “But really, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help. It’s almost fortuitous that you came into our lives right now. I know that I haven’t seen Dominic look so happy, so relaxed in some time. You’re good for him. I can tell.”
Kate dropped her eyes, uneasy with the guilt casting a shadow over her. When she and Dominic talked about this plan, she hadn’t thought any farther than getting everyone to believe they were a committed couple. She hadn’t thought about how she’d feel having to look these loving, friendly people in the eye and continue to perpetrate a lie. How they’d feel if they discovered it was all a sham. And how attached she’d get to all of them. Wishing they were her family.
Daisy stood, unaware of Kate’s conflicting emotions. “I better get going. I’ve got to pick Paul up from kindergarten and drop off a few more résumés. Will we see you at the hospital on Friday?”
Kate searched her memory for what Daisy was referring to. “I’m not sure yet about my schedule…” she said, hoping the answer was satisfactory.
“I hope you can, even for a minute. I’m sure Dominic played down the whole thing, but I bet he’d love it if you stopped by as a show of support. I know Mom probably would as well. She’ll be such a wreck—you should have seen her in those days when it was touch and go with Dad. They’re everything to each other.”
Dominic’s dad’s surgery. She had heard some mention about it, but she hadn’t realized it was this Friday. She had never asked. Another wave of guilt hit her. Even if Dominic hadn’t mentioned it, what kind of girlfriend—not to mention friend—would she be if she didn’t try and make it? “I’m conducting a pretty big deposition that’s scheduled to go Thursday and possibly into Friday as well. I’ll try my hardest to break away.”
“Well, I hope we’ll see you.”
Daisy waved and walked to the door. A male figure appeared in the doorway, and they sidestepped each other as she made her way out.