Page 25 of These Shoes Weren't Made for Stalking

“That was a long time ago.” I flipped the frittata with practiced ease, watching the golden-brown crust slide onto the ceramic plate. The eggs let out a final sizzle against the hot pan.

“Order up,” I called, a phrase picked up from too many late-night dinners at Maude’s Diner with Penny. “It’s not Le Petit Jardin, but Penny says it’s my signature dish.”

We settled at the small table, forks clinking against plates. The frittata was fluffy, studded with vegetables. I’d toasted some crusty bread to go with it.

“This is delicious,” Dominic said between bites.

“Thanks. So, um, about today...” I hesitated, pushing a piece of pepper around my plate. “What the mayor said about your company. Is that true?”

Dominic’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. He set it down slowly, something vulnerable flickering across his face.

“Why do you really care about this district?” I asked.

Dominic swirled his wine, his expression distant. “My father built himself up from nothing. Taught me that business was everything. Success at any cost.” He met my eyes. “His last words to me were about a merger deal.”

“I’m sorry.” It seemed so… cold.

“It was a long time ago.” I watched Dominic place his glass on the table. “That’s how he operated. All business.”

“And you, Dominic?” I traced the rim of my water glass. “How doyouoperate? All business?”

The intensity of his gaze made my heart skip. “It’s complicated, Leo.”

“Complicated how?” My appetite vanished. “You said you were here to help.”

“I am,” he insisted. “But there are... other factors at play.”

“Other factors?” My voice rose. “Like what? Tearing down people’s homes and businesses?”

Dominic’s jaw clenched. “You don’t understand the full picture.”

“Then explain it to me!” I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve been lying this whole time. Holloway said?—“

“Holloway’s a crook.” Dominic growled, rising to his feet. His eyes focused on me with a dangerous intensity that made my heart race. “And I haven’t lied.”

I stood my ground, fists clenched at my sides. The warmth of our dinner had evaporated, replaced by a chill that crept up my spine. Dominic’s eyes, usually so controlled, flashed with something I couldn’t quite place. Anger? Guilt?

“You haven’t lied?” I spat the words out, my voice dripping with disbelief. “Then what do you call this? Coming here, pretending to care about our community? Helping Rosie, helping Jake, helpingme… all while your company plans to destroy everything we care about?”

Dominic’s jaw worked, the muscles in his neck taut. “It’s not that simple, Leo. There are layers to this situation you don’t understand.”

“Then make me understand!” My voice cracked, betraying the hurt beneath my anger. “Because right now, all I see is someone who wormed his way into my life, into my...” I swallowed hard, unable to finish that thought. “I thought we were… friends.”

More than friends, even.

“Was any of it real?” I asked, my voice strained. “Or was I just a means to an end?”

The air between us crackled with tension. I could smell Dominic’s alpha scent growing sharper, more potent. My own pheromones probably reeked of distress and betrayal.

Dominic rounded the table, his hand outstretched. “Leo, please. I can explain… not yet, but?—”

The tips of his fingers grazed my arm. I jerked back, my skin prickling where his fingertips had brushed against it. “No,” I spat, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. “I think you’ve explained plenty.”

Dominic’s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. His scent sharpened, pine and sandalwood mixing with something darker, more primal. “You’re infuriating,” he growled, his voice dropping to a low rumble that sent a delicious shiver through me.

My traitorous omega nature flared to life, refusing to heed my rational mind. Every cell in my body hummed, yearning to submit to the powerful alpha before me. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms as I fought against the primal urge to bare my neck and whimper for his touch.

I lifted my chin, refusing to back down even as my pulse thundered in my ears. “You’re impossible,” I shot back, hating how my body betrayed me, leaning towards him even as my mind screamed to push him away.