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Back Love in Play Save as PDF
Chapters (65)
  1. Dominique’s attraction to Jake was not only undeniable, but almost frightening in its intensity.
  2. Also by
  3. Title Page
  4. Epigraph
  5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 3
  9. 4
  10. 5
  11. 6
  12. 7
  13. 8
  14. 9
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  64. LOVIN’ BLUE
  65. Copyright Page

A half hour later, Dominique climbed into her car and headed home. She smiled when she saw Justin’s face on her Caller ID. “Hey, baby.”

“Mama, when are you coming home?”

“Right now, Justin. Why?”

“’Cause, I want to see you.”

“What about?”

“Nothing.” He paused. “I haven’t seen you all day.”

Dominique’s heart clenched. “Aw, does my baby miss me?”

“I’m not a baby,” he sulked. But he didn’t say that she was wrong.

“I miss you too, baby. I’ll be home in five minutes to beat you in a game of tennis.”

“Girl, please. I’m gonna kick your butt! Bye!”

Dominique laughed as Justin hurried off the phone before she could correct him. Even as it seemed he grew an inch each time she blinked, there were still times like these when the little boy came through. “It goes fast,” Faith had reminded her just last week, as they reminisced about Michael’s rowdy thirteenth birthday party. Faith was right, Dominique decided. I’m going to savor these moments for as long as I can. As she opened the door and entered her house to the sound of Justin’s laughter, she thought of her life: a fabulous job, a fine, strong man, and a son who made her heart swell. Dominique’s life hadn’t been this good in a long, long time but right now, it was perfect. She wouldn’t change a thing.

48

48

Dominique sighed with contentment as she looked at the Christmas lights decorating the neighborhood. This was her favorite time of year: lighter schedule, cooler temperatures, and her favorite holiday right around the corner. This second Saturday in December was the first she’d taken off since going to Oakland for the Raiders’ game. The last time before that had been at least four months. Relaxing felt good, and Dominique surmised that she would do it more often. She listened as Justin and Michael chatted in the backseat, going back and forth about who knew more about which team would win the Super Bowl. Jake was on the phone talking to Miss Bernie. In six short weeks, Dominique had gone from viewing Jake as a lover of convenience to thinking that he could quite possibly be her soul mate. They talked every day, often more than once, and saw each other often. Usually he’d come to the office or she’d visit his place, but occasionally, like today, they included Justin in their outing. She didn’t know whether he’d accepted that she and Jake were just friends, or whether he knew the deal and chose to remain silent. Jake had finally convinced her that the holiday season would be the perfect time to talk with him about their relationship, and ease him into the idea of their becoming a family.