“My teachers,” Dominique readily replied. “Thank God I was smart. They recognized that and were also aware of my challenges in adapting to a new environment. One teacher in particular, Mrs. Calvin, noticed that I had a flair for writing and that I liked clothes. She took the class on an outing to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. There was an exhibit on fashion in the 1800s, when buxom women with curvy, full figures were all the rage. I think I stood a little taller after that visit, which came not too long after I’d read a magazine article about Nell Carter and Jennifer Holliday. I saw beautiful, successful women who were my size and larger. I think that’s when the seed for Capricious was planted, subconsciously anyway.”

“And then you became a force to be reckoned with.”

“Not right away,” Dominique replied. “I dealt with my share of fad diets and squeezing myself into various contraptions trying to look thin. And then I met Leland, who was the first person besides my family who made me feel beautiful just like I was.”

“Is that why you married him?”

“I loved Leland, but I think we were too young to get married. It wasn’t until after the ‘I dos’ that I realized how different we truly are. And then it seemed that the more successful I became, the more resentful he felt. My professional life is where my confidence flourished and when Leland didn’t think I needed him anymore ... he found someone who did.”

“That still doesn’t excuse him abandoning his child.”

“You’re right, it doesn’t. He’s remarried with two children by his present wife. She discourages his continued involvement with Justin. He was only three years old when Leland left, but he still misses his father. Especially after my last relationship ended.”

“With the asshole who stole from you, right?”

“Despite his ulterior motives where I was concerned, I believe Kevin genuinely cared for Justin. He spent a lot of time with him: playing ball, video games, stuff like that. Justin was crazy about him and was affected by our breakup. That’s when I vowed to never again put him in that position ... to get attached to someone only for them to leave.”

“Is that what you think will always happen, Nick? That a man will always leave you?”

“That’s the way it’s been so far.”

“That’s because you were with senseless jerks!”

Dominique warmed at the vehemence she heard in Jake’s voice. It had been a long time since she’d felt like a man was truly on her side. “I talked to Justin about his comment on your being his father.”

“And?”

“And I reminded him that he already has a dad.”

“Sounds like you need to remind the dad that he has a son.”