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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
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  64. LOVIN’ BLUE
  65. Copyright Page

Dominique swallowed past the lump of fear in her throat as she formed an answer. “We sure hope not, baby,” she said, rubbing Justin’s arm and then squeezing his hand. She saw the look of worry in his eyes and continued. “A heart attack is very serious. But they got to the hospital quickly, so that increased Harold’s chances of getting better. So let’s just think really positive thoughts about Jake and his brother, and I think that will help them feel better. Okay?”

Justin nodded his head. But his eyes remained sad.

Dominique clasped his hands in hers. “What is it? What’s bothering you, Justin?”

Justin’s look was haunted as he locked eyes with his mother. “Is Jake coming back?”

Dominique bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Of course he’s coming back. That’s what she wanted to say but in this moment, faced with the question head on, she experienced a wave of doubt. Why wouldn’t he come back? He’s got to come back. Their recent, static conversations played in her head. He didn’t want her to come down. He didn’t know when he’d be back. Then she thought of other times when men had walked out of Justin’s life: the time when she assured Justin that Leland would return, and he didn’t, or when she acknowledged that Kevin was gone for good and the pain that truthful answer had caused.

She looked at Justin, whose eyes continued to bore into hers for an answer. So she gave him the only one in which she could absolutely be sure. “I hope so.”

50

50

“Hang all the mistletoe.” Dominique bobbed her head to the timeless Donny Hathaway classic as she twirled the stick of peppermint around in the drink that Aaron had made for her. He told her it was his girly holiday original: vodka, milk, peppermint schnapps, and Baileys Irish Cream poured over crushed ice. It was Christmas Eve and everyone had gathered at Anita’s house. The kids were downstairs watching movies and playing games. Anita and some of her friends were in the kitchen cooking. Aaron’s two sisters were sitting around the room either singing or humming to the music and Dominique sat alone, watching her brother-in-law dance Faith around the room. “A very special Christmas for me ...”