Chapter 5 - The One-Dollar Debt
Grace’s mother went into surgery the next morning.
Grace sat in the hospital waiting room with Caleb.
Dominic arrived thirty minutes later.
Grace looked at his suit.
“You have a meeting.”
“I cancelled it.”
“You didn’t have to come.”
“I know.”
Caleb glanced between them.
“I’m getting coffee.”
Grace frowned.
“You hate coffee.”
“I suddenly love it.”
He disappeared.
Dominic sat beside Grace.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Finally Grace said, “I’m scared.”
Dominic nodded.
“That seems reasonable.”
She looked at him.
“That’s your comforting speech?”
“I’m not good at these.”
“I noticed.”
Dominic looked toward the operating-room doors.
“She has one of the best surgeons in the country.”
“I know.”
“The hospital is prepared.”
“I know.”
“And if something unexpected happens—”
“I know.”
Grace closed her eyes.
Dominic glanced at her hand resting on the chair.
Then slowly placed his beside it.
Not touching.
Just close.
Grace noticed.
After a moment, she moved her hand sideways.
Their fingers touched.
Dominic looked at her.
Grace didn’t move away.
Four hours later, the surgeon appeared.
Grace jumped to her feet.
“How is she?”
The surgeon smiled.
“The operation went very well.”
Grace covered her mouth.
Caleb grabbed her.
Dominic stood behind them.
The surgeon continued.
“We removed the tumor without damaging the spinal cord.”
Grace began crying.
This time she didn’t hide it.
Caleb hugged her.
Then Grace turned.
Dominic was already walking toward the elevator.
“Dominic.”
He stopped.
She hurried after him.
“You’re leaving?”
“Your family needs you.”
Grace stared at him.
“You’re part of the reason she’s alive.”
“I made a phone call.”
“You did more than that.”
Dominic looked uncomfortable.
“Grace.”
She hugged him.
He froze completely.
His arms remained at his sides.
Grace whispered, “Thank you.”
After several seconds, Dominic slowly placed one hand against her back.
“You still owe me a dollar.”
Grace laughed against his chest.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
Over the next three weeks, everything changed.
The Ashford lending operation collapsed.
Several executives were charged.
Evelyn cooperated with investigators.
Dominic publicly cancelled the planned merger.
Grace’s mother began rehabilitation.
Caleb returned to work.
And Grace moved out of Dominic’s closet.
Into a small apartment.
Owned by Grace.
Dominic handed her the keys.
She stared at them.
“No.”
“You need somewhere to live.”
“I’m not taking an apartment.”
“You bought it.”
Grace blinked.
“What?”
Dominic placed a document in front of her.
She read it.
Her eyes widened.
“My name is on the deed.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“You purchased it.”
“With what money?”
Dominic extended his hand.
“Your dollar.”
Grace stared at him.
“That was for Mom’s surgery.”
“I changed the terms.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I frequently do.”
She tried not to smile.
“This apartment is worth half a million dollars.”
“Then you negotiated well.”
“Dominic.”
He leaned against the counter.
“Consider it severance.”
Grace’s smile disappeared.
“Severance?”
“You’re not cleaning my home anymore.”
Her stomach dropped unexpectedly.
“Oh.”
Dominic noticed.
“You sound disappointed.”
“No.”
“You do.”
“I liked the job.”
“You lived in a closet.”
“Only temporarily.”
Dominic moved closer.
“You’re returning to nursing school.”
Grace stared at him.
“What?”
“I spoke with the dean.”
“You did what?”
“They’re reinstating you next semester.”
Grace looked horrified.
“You cannot call people and rearrange my life.”
“Apparently I can.”
“Dominic!”
He smiled.
Actually smiled.
Grace stopped.
“You did that intentionally.”
“Yes.”
“To annoy me?”
“Yes.”
She stared at him.
Then threw a dish towel at his chest.
Dominic caught it.
“You’re impossible.”
“I’ve heard that.”
Grace folded her arms.
“So what exactly am I supposed to do until school begins?”
Dominic looked at her.
“Dinner.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Is that an order?”
“No.”
Grace studied him.
“Are you asking me on a date?”
Dominic looked strangely uncomfortable.
“Yes.”
Grace smiled slowly.
“You’re terrible at this.”
“I know.”
“What time?”
“Seven.”
Grace walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
“Dominic?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll think about it.”
His eyebrows lifted.
She opened the door.
“And you can spend the next twenty-four hours wondering.”
Dominic stared after her.
May you like
Grace smiled all the way to the elevator.
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