Alannah
“See, what’d I tell you? Fits, no problem.”
“Well, of course it all fits in here, this closet is massive,” I reply to Dominic with a giggle as we look around the expansive walk-in closet that looks more like an extra bedroom. “Looks good together.”
Dominic walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, nuzzling his nose into my neck.
“Yes it does. Just like I knew it would,” he replies, kissing me softly on the cheek, his warm breath teasing my skin.
“I guess this makes it official then, huh? I actually live here.”
Dominic doesn’t reply, but I can feel his cheeks lift into a smile.
It’s been a few days since he asked me move in with him, and we didn’t waste any time getting started. I was just too excited, honestly. The thought of being able to come home to Dominic every day and night, and having him come home to me was just too much to wait for. So, two days after he asked me, Dominic had some of his guys from the Family show up at my house early in the morning and start hauling my big stuff over. I didn’t bring everything since the penthouse is already decked out with awesomeness, but Dominic was kind enough to make sure I brought the things that mattered most to me. So, I brought my pictures of my parents and college friends from Alaska, and Dominic cleared space for me to hang them. Even my little knick-knacks from the top of my dresser found a home inourbedroom. I put pictures of me and my parents up next to pictures of Dominic and his dad, and he didn’t mind one bit. So, now we get to walk down the hall towards our bedroom and see pictures of us as teenagers side by side. The pictures are separate, but it’s cool to see us next to each other as kids. It’s kind of metaphoric actually, representing how we were physically separate for all those years, but we were right next to each other in our hearts.
When I told my parents I was moving in with Dominic, I could hear the worry in their voices, but they tried to act supportive at least. I know they’re still worried about what Dominic does for a living, but I keep telling them that he’s just a casino owner, and after a very quiet year, I think they’re starting to buy it.
Everything is falling right into place, and I smile to myself as Dominic and I walk down the hallway into the living room. I didn’t bring much living room stuff from my house because Dominic did a great job of decorating it already. He has dark brown couches that work so well with the cherry wood floor and brick fireplace. His cherry wood coffee table rests on top of a red rug with gold designs running through it, and I just so happened to have two gold-plated lamps in my house, so we decided to put one on each of the cherry wood end tables. I placed half of my dishes and silverware into storage and brought the other half with me since Dominic was used to eating for one, and I even found a space for my bookshelf in the room that Dominic calls the office. It all worked out so perfect, and I know I’m going to be grinning like a kid on Christmas morning every time I take the private elevator up to my new home, because everything I wanted as a kid is coming true. I have my soulmate, and we live together. To ask for anything more would just be greedy.
“It’s so perfect, Dominic,” I say as I stand in the hallway and look into the living room. The three massive windows on the far wall give us the perfect view of the Arch and river reflecting the setting sun. It’s like a snapshot of heaven.
“Almost,” Dominic replies. “There’s something missing, I think.”
“Missing? Like what?”
“Well, to celebrate you being officially moved in, I had something special planned. I’ve got sort of a move-in present for you.”
“Aww, you didn’t have to do that, babe.”
“I know, but I wanted to do it.”
“Okay, so where is it?”
“It’s not here. We gotta take a cab to go get it.”
“A cab? Why don’t we just drive? Both of our cars are downstairs.”
“I know. Just trust me. Come on.”
Dominic grabs the black jacket that matches his slacks and heads for the elevator, forcing me to jog to catch up. He’s completely silent on the ride down, but has a tiny smile tugging at the sides of his mouth as we walk through the lobby and hop in a cab that was already waiting for us.
“I don’t understand why we’re taking a cab,” I say to him as we climb in, focusing my attention on the grin resting on his perfect lips. Dominic leans forward and whispers something into the ear of the cab driver, just before the old black man puts the car in gear and takes off. “Why all the whispering?” I ask.
“Oh, I whispered? I didn’t know I did that. Sorry.” He smiles again as he looks out the window.
“Well aren’t you Mr. Sneaky?” I say, giggling to myself. “What, now you can’t look at me? Dominic, where are we going?”
He turns to me, revealing a bright smile. “It’s a surprise. Just enjoy the buildup. I got this.”
I eyeball him suspiciously, but on the inside, I’m beaming. I love the spontaneity, so I’ll play along.
I let the driver take us to the middle of the city without saying a word. Traffic is horrible and I usually try to avoid coming down here if I can, but when the cab turns into a packed parking lot, I feel excited and confused all at once. My forehead probably has a thousand wrinkles in it when Dominic finally ends his forced stare out the window and makes eye contact with me.
“You ready?” he asks, as he gives the cab driver a twenty to cover our fifteen dollar fare, and places his finger on the door handle.
“Am I ready? Ready for what? Why are we at a car dealership?”
“Not just a car dealership. AMercedesdealer. And we’re here so you can pick one.”
