Page 51 of A Seed Of Peril
“Ever?”
I nodded. “Ever.”
“Fucking bitch.”
A smirk curled my lips as I put the butter in the pot, turned the bottom left burner on the stove on low, and began measuring out the cocoa.
Dino set the mixing bowl in the sink and filled it with water to soak.
“Thanks,” I said, appreciative of his kind gesture.
He grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. The cap snapped as he twisted it off the bottle.
Attending to the butter again, I stirred it, feeling grateful for having the big brothers I did. Sometimes, I wished I had known them years ago. Maybe I wouldn’t have had to survive on the streets and endure shady and dangerous shelters. Maybe… Maybe they could’ve fought off Fabio sooner… And I would’ve still had my parents here. Nadia.
I sighed, adding the cocoa to the pot and stirring.
Life went the way it did for a reason.If I had gotten mixed up with this family sooner, would everything have panned out the same way? Would Dominic and I have still hooked up? Would I have still gotten pregnant? Would Dominic still have taken Katrina in? Would Hector have been around to see his granddaughter thriving?
“You good, Lil?”
I swallowed away the rush of emotion that overtook me before it had the chance to gain any real traction.
“Just my usual overthinking…” I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish my sentence. I was already emotional over Katrina and her lack of experiencing a homemade cake. Fucking hormones.
Dino came up to the stove, leaning against the piece of counter next to it. I sensed him staring. I didn’t need to look.
“Spill it.”
“Sometimes, I wonder what it’d be like if Hector ordered me here sooner.” The butter and cocoa mixture was thickening, so I reached along the counter and dragged the other mixing bowl next to the stove so I could soon pour the chocolate inside it to cool.
“Don’t torture your mind with the what-ifs. Trust me. It fucks you up.”
He was spot on. If I had lost myself in more what-ifs, I would’ve found myself drowning in heartbreak. I was blessed and grateful for what I had now, and I had to keep myself in the present. Out of the dark trenches of my mind.
I turned off the stove, continuing to stir the chocolate mixture as I lined up the pot above the bowl. Carefully, I emptied the chocolate into the bowl and gave it another few stirs before setting it aside to cool. I measured out the rest of the ingredients.
Moments later, I set the remaining ingredients aside. “It’s hard sometimes,” I offered as I readied the electric mixer, making sure I had it on the correct setting to whip up the frosting.
Dino put his hand on my shoulder as I was attaching the proper beater to the mixer, getting close enough so his breath warmed my outer ear. I stilled, my hand on the machine.
“You ain’t the only one who imagines the what-ifs.”
I met his gaze, his emerald eyes speaking for him.
Dino Santiago would’ve forever wondered… What if the universe aligned in our favor instead?
* * *
The Pavilion Goldbanquet hall was fairly calm; then again, we were the only ones here aside from the staff. We got here early to set up for the party. The room we were holding it in was impressive, resembling a ballroom. Neutral tones with a touch of gold made it pop and paired well with the theme Katrina requested—Barbie, of course.
I thought it was cute except for all the pink. Pink napkins. Pink paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware. Pink streamers. Luckily, the tablecloths weren’t straight pink, although they had pink elements. Looking down at my dress, I laughed a little, shaking my head in amusement. From my closet, I chose my baby pink wrap hem cami dress with spaghetti straps and a simple, white cardigan for a more modest look.
Decorations were in their final phase. Katrina’s cake was in the refrigerator. She was on her way with Dino and Bianca and would arrive just as the venue came together. Perfect.
I weaved through the crowd of our family’s men and their spouses and kids, spotting Dominic across the room. His eyes soon found mine. He was happy to see me and was checking me out, ignoring the group conversation he then excused himself from. He leisurely made his way toward me, dressed in a simple, wine-colored, button-down dress shirt and black slacks. So delicious and so fucking divine.
“You should’ve sported some pink,” I said, joking with him.