Chapter 94 Ninety four
They drive to her apartment was quiet.
Dominic leaned down and kissed Izzy softly before she stepped out of the car, his hands lingering briefly on her waist. She smiled, her chest fluttering from the touch, but then froze when she saw Maya standing in front of his car.
“Fuck, Maya! You almost gave me a heart attack,” Izzy exclaimed, gripping her bag.
Maya glanced at Dominic, her eyes sharp and slightly judging, giving him a slow nod that was both hello and warning. Dominic caught her glance, smiled faintly, and then turned back to Izzy.
“I’ll text you later,” he said softly, his voice low, full of unspoken things, before climbing back into the car. With a smooth motion, he drove off, leaving Izzy standing there, her heart still fluttering and her stomach twisting with leftover emotion.
Izzy let out a shaky breath, watching the taillights disappear down the street. Then she turned toward Maya, who was now studying her with a mix of suspicion and irritation.
They head upstairs to her apartment quietly.
They entered the apartment, and Maya had already made her way inside. She sat on the couch, arms crossed, staring at them in silence.
After a few moments, she spoke, her voice low and tinged with hurt.. “So… you’re back with him, huh?”
Izzy’s jaw tightened. “Yeah,” she said softly, her voice carrying a fragile strength.
Maya’s eyes narrowed. “Wow… Izzy. After everything he’s done, you just… fall back in?”
Maya shook her head, clearly upset. “Wow… Izzy. After everything he did? And you just… go back to him?”
Izzy felt her patience snap. “He said he’s ready to learn how to love. From today, we’re dating. Not just a sexual relationship anymore.”
Maya’s eyes narrowed. “And you actually believe that? That he’s going to learn to love you? Bullshit. He’s not back because he’s figured out love. He’s back because he missed your pussy, nothing else.”
Izzy’s face flushed, her hands balling into fists. “Why can’t you just be happy for me? I’m not the same girl you knew. This isn’t just about sex!”
Maya’s lip curled, anger flashing. “Happy for you? Are you trusting him? Really? He’s an ass, Izzy. And you’re just falling right back in. God, why.. Why are you so dumb?”
Izzy’s voice rose, frustration and hurt blending. “You’re jealous! Admit it, Maya. You’ve been trying to push me away because you don’t like him either!”
Maya’s eyes widened in shock, her jaw tightening. “Jealous? You think this is about me being jealous? No, Izzy! I have nothing to be jealous about. This is about me not wanting to see you hurt over and over. I care about you!”
Izzy shook her head, tears threatening to fall. “I don’t need you deciding what’s best for me. I can handle my life, my choices. Even if that means being with Dominic!”
Maya’s fists clenched, her voice trembling with anger and frustration. “I warned you! I warned you about this! And now.. you just… go running back into his arms. You’re making the same mistake!”
Izzy stepped closer, voice sharp. “He’s not the same man he was, Maya. And even if he was… I’m allowed to choose him. He’s mine.”
Maya stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “You know what fuck you.. fuck this.. if you want to be stupid because of a douchebag .. go ahead .. I don’t care!” She stormed toward the door, slamming it behind her as she left.
Izzy sank to the ground, clutching her bag, her chest heaving. The apartment was quiet now, leaving her alone. This was the first time she and Maya ever fought like this
Later that night, Izzy’s phone buzzed on the coffee table. She jumped slightly, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Dominic’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hey,” she answered softly, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Hey, pumpkin,” Dominic said, his voice low and calm. “How’s my girl tonight?”
Izzy forced a small smile into her voice. “I’m… fine,” she said, hiding the knot in her stomach.
There was a pause on the line, and then he asked, a hint of concern in his tone, “Izzy… how’s Maya? She seemed… a little pissed when she saw me earlier.”
Izzy’s throat tightened. She didn’t want to admit that Maya had stormed out or that they had argued. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. “It’s… nothing,” she said quickly, her voice just above a whisper.
Dominic frowned softly. “Hmm… alright. If you say so. I could sense she wasn’t pleased to see me.
“She’s just going through shit,” Izzy murmured, trying to sound casual. “She’ll get over it.”
He was quiet for a moment, then his tone softened, almost tender. Ah.. I miss you so bad.”
Her heart thumped, and she swallowed hard. “Me too,” she admitted, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Dominic’s voice deepened with emotion. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go again, Izzy. Never.”
She felt a shiver run down her spine. “You better not.,” she whispered, curling up slightly on the couch.
“You should get some rest, pumpkin,” he said, a teasing smile in his voice. “I’ll text you tomorrow, okay.. love you.”
“Okay,” Izzy replied softly, the warmth of his words lingering even after the call ended.
She placed the phone on the table, her chest still tight with the mix of relief and nerves. Maya’s words, the argument, the tension… it all lingered… but hearing Dominic’s voice, knowing he still cared… it gave her a spark of comfort, fragile but real.
Izzy lay on the couch, the phone still warm in her hand, Dominic’s voice echoing softly in her mind. For a moment, she thought about calling Maya, apologizing, or at least explaining. But she didn’t. Not tonight.
Her fingers traced the edge of the blanket as a smile tugged at her lips. She didn’t need to speak… it wasn’t about making anyone else happy tonight. It was about her.
She stared up at the ceiling, her mind buzzing, heart racing. I’m actually dating Dominic… the thought repeated itself like a mantra. Her chest warmed at the idea, and a small, excited laugh escaped her lips.
Every memory of their l conversation, the soft kiss, the way he had looked at her… it all danced in her mind, making her pulse quicken. She felt giddy and nervous all at once, like she was teetering on the edge of something thrilling and terrifying.
The room grew quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside her window. She wrapped herself in the blanket, hugging it to her chest, and let herself sink into the moment. For the first time in a long while, she felt… safe, wanted, and cherished.
With that thought lingering, she finally closed her eyes. A slow smile remained on her face as she drifted into sleep, her dreams filled with the warmth and promise of Dominic… her boyfriend.