Dominique swallowed and tried to not be nervous. But she felt out of her element. She was used to being in charge, her word being law, and not being questioned. In this moment, she realized that even in relationships things mostly went her way. Justin’s father, Leland, abhorred arguing and would often give in to Dominique just to shut her up. Kevin, her last partner, was more than happy to let her run things. It wasn’t until later that she found out that he did so just so that he could run away with her money. But here stood someone she’d rarely encountered in her life—a man who stood his ground. And looked pretty good while doing it, she also noted.

“Can we sit down?” Her voice was soft and tentative, sounding foreign to her own ears.

Jake simply cocked his head.

Dominique cleared her throat and lifted her chin. You are not that quiet, insecure school girl who ran from trouble. So quit acting like it! Dominique calmly walked over to a chair, and sat.

“I’ve never thought of myself as controlling; it simply seems I’ve often been put in the position where I’ve had to be. I’ve lived this way for so long that letting go of the reins is hard, no matter the issue. Justin looks up to you, idolizes you, and that frightens me. I know it shouldn’t,” she hurried on when Jake would have interrupted. “But it does. When my last relationship ended, Justin’s heart also got broken. He and Kevin were very close.” Dominique paused to gather her thoughts. Jake watched, waited. “And then there’s the confidential discussion you had with Justin, I overreacted, Jake, and I’m sorry that I did. It was wrong of me to demand that you tell me what he’d said and then get angry at you for not breaking his confidence. That right there should have told me what kind of man you are.”

“And what kind of man is that, Dominique?” Jake’s stance remained formidable, but his voice had softened.

She answered simply, “A good one.”

The air crackled between them.

Neither one moved.

“How was the game?” Dominique asked, after a pause.

“It was all right. Raiders lost, though.”

“That probably won’t make a difference to Justin. He’s furious with me.”

“He’s a kid. He’ll live.”

“When it comes to my son, I haven’t been able to depend on the men in his life. Guess I’m a bit over-protective, but I’ve had to be strong. I’m all he has.”

Jake uncrossed his arms. “I understand. But you might want to consider that there are other people out here who also have your son’s best interests at heart. I’m one of those people.”

“I know that now.”

More air, more crackling.