Chapter 25
Chapter 25:
I withdraw back into my room and shut the door. The half-filled bottle of water I brought up from the kitchen still sits on the center table. I walk over, grab it, and take a quick drink. My maddening heartbeat finally begins to calm.
Just go slow, Isla. Go slow. Dominic’s request is still hanging in the balance.
I could hear another couple of knocks on the door. After a brief moment, the door opens and Dominic walks in.
“Oh my God, babe. You look sexy. In fact, you look perfect p>
I want to blush at his compliment, but I feel nothing. I manage to force out a little smile. “Thank you p>
He walks over and pulls me into a hug. “You are amazing, Isla,” he whispers into my ear. “Just amazing p>
Not knowing what else to do, I wrap my arms around him. We stay like that for a few seconds before he pulls away.
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for a few moments on my skin before he retracts them into his pockets.
He clears his throat. “Sandra and Ethan are already downstairs. I saw Asher too.” He turns to the wardrobe. “I’ll carry our bags downstairs. come down when you’re done with your hair p>
“No problem,” I say, turning back to the mirror to finally focus on combing my hair. Dominic leaves the room with our bags.
It takes me a few minutes to straighten my hair. briefly, I consider tying it into a messy bun, but in the end, I decide to let it fall loosely over my shoulders.
I put the comb back into a section of the small bag I brought for my cosmetics. After dressing the bed and pulling the light yellow curtains together, I grab the bag and leave the room.
When I reach downstairs, I find everyone standing outside, including Asher.
“Hey, guys,” I call out as I approach them. Sandra smiles and pulls me into a hug.
When we pull apart, she pokes my side with her finger. “Remember to give me a call once Dominic drops you home p>
I flinch and slap her hand away. “I will, Sandra p>
She pulls me into another hug before releasing me to greet the others. We all exchange hugs in turn. When I hug Asher, it feels like I’m holding him for the last time.
I finally pull away from him and walk over to Dominic, waiting briefly while he ends his embrace with Ethan. They pat each other’s backs before stepping apart.
Dominic’s face lights up in a smile when he sees me standing beside him. “Let’s go, babe p>
I nod and follow him to his car, turning back a couple of times to glance at Asher. I see him hug Ethan and Sandra again before he walks over to his own car and gets in. When I feel Dominic’s hand on my back, my focus snaps forward, and I realize the front passenger door of his car is already open for me.
𝘿𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙨 — 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙩
I give Dominic a small smile before slipping into the seat. Being the sweet, gentle guy he is, he closes the door for me. Then he walks around, gets into the driver’s side, and shuts the door behind him.
We both fasten our seat belts, and as Dominic starts the car, I look through the windshield and see Asher’s car already driving out of the compound. Guilt tugs at my heart, but I force it down.
Dominic’s engine roars to life, and as he drives out, I wave back at Sandra and Ethan through the window. I keep waving until we take a left turn and the romantic couple vanishes from sight.
Dominic switches on the radio, and “Love Changes Everything” by Ruelle fills the car like soft waves. I try to lose myself in the song, but all I can think about is Dominic’s proposal.
I don’t love him. I know I don’t. But I can’t bring myself to reject him this soon, especially after he told me to take time to think about it. And I will think about it—but I also know my answer will never change.
Because I am still in love with Asher Kane. Still in love with my best friend. And I am totally screwed, helpless, and powerless to change how deeply, how madly I feel about him.