“I’ll call them later, have someone drop it off at the house,” Jake said, ushering her into the passenger seat of his car. There was no way he was taking the chance of Dominique getting in her car and making a beeline for her house. He took a deep breath before starting the car and easing into the heavy, rush-hour traffic. He had handled things poorly; he acknowledged that. Dominique had a right to be angry. He acknowledged that, too. But he was determined to get through to her, resolute about trying to bring back what they had. By the end of the evening, Dominique might decide to end the relationship. But if you think I’m letting you go without a fight, baby girl, then you are totally misinformed.

56

56

The five-minute ride to Jake’s house was a quiet one. The silence continued as they walked to his front door and entered the home.

Once inside, Dominique turned to him. “Okay, we’re alone. What else do you want to tell me?”

Jake looked at her, noted her eyes, bright with anger, her pouty lips, and heaving breasts. The breasts he’d missed and longed to touch. “I love you,” he answered simply.

“I love you, too, Jake.”

“Then can we sit and talk to each other calmly, listen to each other, and work this out?”

Dominique heaved a sigh and walked toward the couch. “We can try,” she said, sitting down.

“I’m sorry,” Jake said again.

Dominique’s response was not what he expected. “Tell me about your father.”

Jake did that, and more. He bore his soul, sharing experiences that he hadn’t discussed in years. When he talked about finding his father slumped over, tears came to his eyes. “I know he died a long time ago,” he said. “But it still hurts.”

Jake’s tears washed away Dominique’s anger. She listened as he shared his pain, and his fears. Dominique then shared her thoughts and desires, including how she hoped Jake would seek counseling for the grief he still carried. To her surprise and delight, Jake agreed. For the next hour, they had a true heart-to-heart and when it was over, both felt depleted yet relieved.

After a companionable silence, where they simply held hands and absorbed what had just transpired, Jake asked, “So ... are we cool? Am I forgiven?”

Dominique smiled, remembering that these same words were the ones she’d uttered before, when she’d refused to let Justin go to Oakland. “I’ll think about it,” she responded, which had been Jake’s answer.

Jake nodded, even as he turned toward Dominique and looked in her eyes. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “I’ve missed these.” He leaned over, licking his lips before pressing them slowly, gently against Dominique’s. The kiss was soft and tender. He kissed her again, and then looked into her eyes. “Have you missed me?”