34 - morning after

Amina

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I woke up resting comfortably on Dominic's chest as he slept soundly. After the day I had yesterday, I never expected to be in this position the following morning.

After last night, I still felt like there was a lot to discuss about our relationship and what the next steps were.

Suddenly I feel soft kisses on my shoulder where my t-shirt rolled up to expose the area of skin.

"Good morning." He says groggily.

I turn to face him, "Good morning."

"You have work today?" He asks.

I nod, "Later, at 2 pm."

He smiles, pulling me closer to him. "Good."

"Good that I'm working?"

"Good that I have you for a bit longer."

I bask in his embrace, enjoying how his arms felt wrapped around me. But the question was floating in the air around this and I couldn't help but say it out loud.

"Dominic, what is this?"

He sighs, releasing his grip on me to lay on his back. "I just woke up."

"We didn't really talk anything out last night." I remind him.

"We did. I don't want to be your friend Amina." He admits honestly, looking at me. "And I can't stop thinking about you, it's driving me insane."

I blush slightly, biting the inside of my cheek to hide my smile. "I really like you too." I admit. I sit up in the bed, resting my back against the headboard as he lay beside me.

"Let's date. We're taking things slow but we have to start somewhere." He suggests.

I was hesitant but I nodded, "Okay. But there needs to be some ground rules."

He groans, "You and your rules." He mumbled before wrapping an arm around the front of my waist and resting his head on my thighs.

I chuckle pulling out my phone, "Okay so the document we signed last time prohibited a lot of things that still apply, like no dating other people and no weaponized dancing. But I think it's safe to take off no kissing and cuddling, but we're keeping no sex."

He looks up at me with a brow raised, "Why not?"

I look back at him returning the raised brow, "Is that a problem?"

"Of course not. I'm just curious."

I shrug, "I just don't think it's a good idea to go down that road again yet. This is just a trial remember?" He nods in understanding, laying his head back onto my thighs. "I also think we shouldn't tell anyone, like at all."

He lifts his head again to look at me. "Any reason?"

I shrug, "Just to take the extra pressure off."

He analyzes me as I avoid his gaze. He sits up properly now, "Amina look at me." He demands. I look up to meet his eyes as he stares intently at me. "What's with all the rules and limitations? Tell me what you're thinking."

I shrug again avoiding his gaze to look down at the sheets. "Nothing, I just don't want to rush into things."

He nods slowly, still watching me. "You sure that's it?"

I nod, this time looking at him. "That's it. I want to take it slow."

"Okay yeah, we can do that." He sits up from his resting position on my thighs, "Why don't we go on our first official date? I'll pick you up at 8 pm."

"I have work tonight."

"Tomorrow?"

I nod, "Okay, I could make tomorrow night work." I chuckle lightly at him, "What do you have in mind?"

He smiles, "You leave that to me. Just be dressed by 8pm."

"What do I wear?"

"You could wear a trash bag for all I care."

"Dominic." I warn making him chuckle.

"Dress casual but nice."

"What are we doing?"

He chuckles, kissing my cheek, "Don't worry about that." He pulls me closer to him, "You're so far away."

"We're practically skin to skin." I reply with a chuckle.

"It's not enough." He pulls me on top of him, "Come here." I giggle as pulls us both down, bringing his lips to mine.

-

I spent most of the morning with Dominic before needing to leave to get ready for work. Since he was also heading out, he offered to give me a ride to work and give me a long kiss before dropping me off.

It was honestly weird seeing Dominic be so openly affectionate. It was like a whole different side of him had been unleashed.

"Good afternoon Ami!" Mel greets me as I clock in on the machine in the back office.

"Hey Mel. How are you?"

She shrugs, "Same old thing. How about you darling? New ride?"

"No that was her boyfriend's." Halle teases as she enters the back room to put down her stuff.

Mel chuckles as my eyes widen. "That is not my boyfriend Mel, don't mind her." I reply glaring at Halle.

Mel smiles, "Don't worry darling I didn't say anything." She gets up from her seat and ties her apron, "We've got the second round of Sunday rush coming in soon, let's get out there."

"Yes ma'am." Halle and I both say in unison as she walks out of the room.

Halle smirks at me, "I saw you making out with Dominic in the parking lot just now. Spill!" She exclaims.

I sigh, tying my apron. "What'd you say, Mel? Coming!" I say before rushing out into the dining area to start taking orders.

I avoid talking about it the rest of the workday, focusing on the customers and not gossiping with Halle over my drama. It was nice to get away and ignore everything that was going on in reality. The only important thing right now was satisfying my customers.

"Please let me know if you need anything else." I tell a small family with a smile before making my way to the back. The diner had finally died down from the second rush and I made my way to the back to hydrate.

"Ami, break time. Go." Jimmy orders as he types away on his computer.

I nod, typing it into the machine before untying my apron. I took a seat on the bench in the break room before pulling out my phone.

Dominic had texted me about the details of our date for tomorrow.

D: Meet me outside your door tomorrow at 8

I smiled before letting out a sigh. Was this the right thing to do?

"From what I've heard, Dominic really likes you."

I look up in surprise at Halle. "What do you mean?"

Halle shrugs nonchalantly, "Andre tells me bits and bobs. He's never directly said it but it's fairly obvious."

"Are you dating Andre now?"

She chuckles, taking a seat beside me. "Yeah, I kind of am. He's been really great."

I smile genuinely at her, "I'm happy for you."

"Are you officially dating Dominic now?" She asks.

I sigh, "Our relationship is complicated." She nods in understanding and I look over at her. "Did you have any concerns about dating Andre? Why did you decide to finally give him a chance?" I ask curiously.

She nods, "I had concerns. You know Andre, he flirts with any and everything in sight. I always thought he was cute but I never thought I could take him seriously."

"So what happened?"

"He wanted to prove to me that he was serious. And eventually, over time he did."

"How long has this been going on with you two?"

She shrugs, "Since the start of the school year? I think."

I smile, "Well I'm happy it's worked out."

"Thank you."

"Come on ladies we have orders to take! Halle clock in for your break." Jimmy says coming into the break room.

I nod realizing my 10 minutes had run out and tie my apron back onto my waist. "We'll talk later." I tell Halle before making my way back to the dining room.

After my shift had ended, Halle and I were finishing our conversation in the break room as we waited for our rides.

"So those terrible pickup lines actually worked on you?" I ask in surprise.

Halle laughs, "Of course not. But when you get to know him he's actually the sweetest, funniest guy you'll ever meet. And eventually, the terrible pickup lines just started to make me laugh." She smiles, "And he loves my laugh."

I smile back at her. Things sounded so sweet and simple for them, I was envious. "Have you had your first kiss?"

She nods, her cheeks lighting up ever so slightly with the warmest shade of pink. "On our first official date. He took me to the batting cages."

I raise a brow, "Batting cages?"

She nods, "I had the same reaction, but it was one of the best dates I've ever been on honestly.

"I hope you're talking about me." Andre says sticking his head into the room.

Halle's eyes widen, "Babe you're not supposed to be back here!"

Andre chuckles entering the room, "Jimmy said it was okay for me to come grab you." He notices me and smiles, "Hey Ami."

I nod, "Hey Andre. I see you've finally gotten yourself a girlfriend. You choose nicely."

"Yeah, I did." He says smiling at Halle making her blush. "When are you and Dominic going to stop playing games?"

"We're not playing games. It's complicated." I reply with a shrug.

"Well, you guys need to work it out. I want to go on double dates." He says with a chuckle. He turns to Halle, "You ready to go babe?"

She nods, grabbing her bag from beside her. "Do you want us to wait with you until your ride shows up?" She asks me.

I shake my head, "I'll be fine, she'll be here in a minute."

They both nod, waving me goodbye before exiting the break room. Kendra was picking me up because her route from wherever she went today passed the diner on her way home. Since the timing aligned perfectly, she offered to give me a ride.

After a couple of minutes Kendra arrived, and I said goodbye to Jimmy and the rest of the staff working the night shift before getting into her car.

"How was work?" She asks as she pulls away from the diner.

"Halle and Andre are dating now."

"Who?"

I sigh, "Andre, Dominic's best friend remember? He's dating my coworker Halle."

She chuckles, "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, but-" I sigh again, leaning into my seat. "Dominic asked me out on a date."

Her eyes widen, as the car jolts from her hitting the brakes. "He what? Dominic Taylor, asked you out on a date? Mr. Seemingly Scared of Commitment?" She asks in shock. I nod sadly, "I knew it! I told you he liked you!" She frowns when she notices my lackluster reaction. "Why is it that every time you tell me something that should be great news, you're sad?"

"I'm lowkey freaking out Ken."

"What? Why?"

I sigh, "I'm scared to do this with him." I admit honestly, "What if he backs out again?"

She gives me a sad smile. "Oh, Ami. But what if he doesn't?" I frown, looking down at the floor of the car. "Ami it's a completely valid fear to have but you can't let it keep you from something that could be good for you."

"It hurt the last time though." I admit. "I don't know if I can handle him switching up again. He's done it before."

"Do you like him?"

"Of course I do."

"Does he like you?"

I smile lightly, "Yes."

"Give him a second chance. You don't need to jump in head first or anything, but at least try."

"But what if-"

"What if it works out this time? What if you fall in love, get married, and have babies?" She says with a light chuckle, "Just give him a chance Ami."

I sigh, nodding at her. She was right, things could end up working out well for us. I wouldn't know unless I try.

———

Should she give him a chance??

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- AuggiePooh_