Catalina's POV
The morning meeting started in five minutes, and I was already sweating.
Not because of the presentation. Not because of the client proposals spread across the conference table.
Because Dominic would be there.
And I had to pretend last night never happened. That I didn't know how his lips tasted. That my heart didn't race every time he looked at me.
I walked into the conference room. Dominic was already there, looking perfect in his dark shirt, his hair slightly messy like he'd run his hands through it. Our eyes met for half a second before we both looked away.
This was going to be torture.
Sofia bounced in next, followed by three other team members. Everyone settled into their seats. I sat across from Dominic because sitting next to him felt too dangerous.
"Okay!" Sofia chirped. "Let's review the vendor contracts."
I tried to focus. I really did. But all I could think about was Dominic's arms around me last night. His voice saying he was falling in love with me. The way he kissed me like I was air and he was drowning.
Under the table, my foot accidentally brushed his.
Dominic stuttered mid-sentence. "The catering budget is—uh—the budget—"
Everyone stared at him.
"Sorry." He cleared his throat, his cheeks slightly pink. "The catering budget is on track."
I bit my lip to keep from smiling. He was just as affected as me.
The meeting dragged on forever. Every time Dominic spoke, I watched his mouth. Every time he looked at me, electricity shot through my body. This was impossible. How were we supposed to work together when I couldn't even breathe normally around him?
Finally, everyone started packing up their things.
"Great meeting!" Sofia said, grabbing her phone. "Cat, lunch at noon?"
"Sure," I managed.
Sofia and the others filed out, leaving just me and Dominic in the conference room.
The second the door closed, Dominic stood up and walked around the table. Not close enough to touch. Just close enough that I could smell his cologne.
"That was torture," he said quietly.
My heart hammered. "You looked at me like you wanted to kiss me right there on the conference table."
"Because I did." His voice was rough. "I wanted to kiss you in front of everyone and claim you as mine. Which is insane. We can't do this at work, Cat."
"I know."
"We need rules." He ran a hand through his hair. "No kissing at work. No obvious looks. We have to be completely professional when anyone else is around."
"Agreed."
"I'm serious. One slip and everyone knows."
"I understand, Dominic. I—"
The door burst open. Sofia.
Dominic and I jumped apart like we'd been electrocuted.
"Still here?" Sofia looked between us. "You guys work too hard. Come on, Cat. Lunch time!"
I grabbed my bag with shaking hands. "Coming."
Dominic's jaw was tight. "I have calls to make."
He left without looking at me again.
Lunch with Sofia was usually my favorite part of the day. Today it felt like sitting on broken glass.
We ordered our usual sandwiches at the café downtown. Sofia talked about wedding flowers and honeymoon plans. I smiled and nodded and felt like the worst person alive.
"You know what I love about us?" Sofia said suddenly.
My stomach dropped. "What?"
"We tell each other everything. No secrets. Ever." She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "You're not just my best friend, Cat. You're my sister."
Guilt crashed over me like a wave. If she only knew. If she knew I was in love with her brother. That we'd kissed. That we were sneaking around behind her back.
"I feel the same way," I whispered, hating myself.
Sofia's phone buzzed. "Oh! David's calling. Give me one second."
She stepped outside to take the call.
I sat there alone, drowning in guilt, when I saw them through the café window.
Dominic. Walking down the sidewalk.
With a woman.
She was beautiful. Tall, blonde, wearing a business suit that probably cost more than my rent. She laughed at something Dominic said, touching his arm.
Jealousy exploded in my chest. Hot and ugly and overwhelming.
Who was she? Why was she touching him? Why was he smiling at her like that?
My phone buzzed.
Dominic: Victoria is a business consultant. Nothing more. Don't worry.
I stared at the message. He'd seen me watching. And he knew exactly what I was thinking.
Me: I wasn't worried.
Dominic: Liar. Your face gives you away every time.
Me: We're not together. You can have coffee with whoever you want.
Dominic: I don't want coffee with anyone but you. Delete these messages.
I deleted the conversation just as Sofia came back inside.
"Ready to go?" she asked.
"Actually, I need to head back early. Forgot some paperwork."
It was a lie. I just couldn't sit there anymore, pretending everything was normal.
I practically ran back to the office building. Took the elevator. Walked down the empty hallway toward my office.
A hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an empty conference room.
Dominic.
He locked the door behind us. "Cat—"
"Who is she?" The words burst out of me. "Really?"
"Victoria Chen. Business consultant. My mother hired her months ago."
"She was touching you."
"I know. I stepped away." He moved closer. "You're jealous."
"I'm not—"
"You are. And it's driving me crazy because I want to tell everyone you're mine. That I don't want Victoria or anyone else. Just you."
My breath caught.
"Only you," he whispered, cupping my face. "Always you."
He leaned down. I rose on my tiptoes. Our lips were inches apart—
Footsteps in the hallway.
We sprang apart just as someone walked past the glass door.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might explode.
"We can't keep doing this," I whispered. "We're going to get caught."
"I know." His voice was rough. "But I can't stay away from you either."
"Dominic—"
My phone rang. Dad.
I answered with shaking hands. "Hi, Dad."
"Catalina. Where are you?"
"At work. Why?"
"Marcus stopped by the bakery today. He wants to take you to dinner this weekend."
My blood went cold. "I'm busy."
"No, you're not. I checked your schedule with your mother." Dad's voice was firm. "He's a good man, Cat. He made a mistake going to London, but he's back now. Ready to settle down. You should give him another chance."
"Dad, I don't—"
"Saturday night. Seven PM. He's picking you up." It wasn't a request. It was an order. "Don't embarrass this family by saying no."
He hung up.
I stared at my phone, my whole body trembling.
Dominic's face had gone pale. "What did he say?"
"Marcus wants a date. My dad said yes for me."
"Tell him no."
"I can't! If I say no, they'll ask why. They'll push. They'll—"
"Then I'll tell them why," Dominic said fiercely. "I'll tell everyone you're with me."
"And destroy both our families? The business? Sofia?" I shook my head. "We can't."
"So what? You just go on a date with him? Pretend you're interested?"
"I don't know!" My voice cracked. "I don't know what to do!"
Dominic pulled me close. "One date. That's it. Then you tell him you're not interested. We'll figure out the rest after."
I nodded against his chest.
But as I stood there in his arms, my phone buzzed again.
A text from an unknown number.
Unknown: I know about you and Dominic. And if you don't end it, I'll tell Sofia everything.
My entire world stopped.
Someone knew.
And they were going to destroy us.