Chapter Fifteen : The Kiss

A storm rolled over Haven Cove that night, the wind howling through the narrow streets, rattling windows and sending waves crashing violently against the shore. The café had closed early, the storm warning keeping most customers away, but Camille had stayed behind to check for leaks in the old building.

She stood on a chair near the back, adjusting a bucket under a slow, persistent drip from the ceiling. The storm had only just begun, and already, the roof was betraying her.

The front door swung open, the wind nearly tearing it from its hinges. She turned sharply, her pulse spiking—only to find Dominic standing there, rain-soaked and breathless.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, stepping down from the chair.

"I saw the lights on." He raked a hand through his wet hair, his jaw tense. "I figured you might need help."

She scoffed. "You shouldn't be out in this weather."

"Neither should you."

She grabbed a towel from behind the counter and tossed it at him. "I've handled worse storms."

Dominic caught the towel but didn't move to dry himself. He just watched her, his gaze unreadable.

"You're stubborn," he said after a moment.

She huffed a dry laugh. "Took you this long to figure that out?"

A gust of wind shook the windows, and another leak started near the kitchen. Camille cursed under her breath and rushed to grab another bucket.

"Let me help," Dominic said, striding forward.

She hesitated but handed him a towel. "Fine. Just don't make it worse."

They worked in silence, moving around each other with a familiarity that neither of them acknowledged. The rain hammered against the roof, the air thick with the scent of the ocean and something unspoken between them.

At some point, they ended up near the counter, standing too close.

Dominic's gaze flickered to her lips. "You're still mad at me."

She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "Of course I am."

His voice was rough, almost pained. "I never meant to leave you like that."

She shook her head, anger and something deeper rising in her chest. "But you did."

He reached out, his fingers ghosting over her wrist. "I know. And I'll spend the rest of my life making up for it if you let me."

Her throat tightened. She wanted to push him away, to remind him that words weren't enough.

But then the power flickered, and the café was plunged into darkness.

She let out a startled breath, and in that moment of hesitation, Dominic's hand found hers.

Warm. Steady. Familiar.

Her pulse thundered.

She should have stepped back. Should have let go.

Instead, she lifted her gaze, and he was already looking at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

And then—he kissed her.

It was soft at first, hesitant, as if waiting for her to pull away.

But she didn't.

The dam broke.

Years of longing, of resentment, of unspoken words crashed into that kiss, turning it desperate and aching. His hands framed her face, and she clutched his shirt, grounding herself against the storm inside and out.

Then reality snapped back, sharp and cold.

She pulled away, breathless, shaking her head.

"This—this doesn't change anything," she whispered, stepping back.

Dominic didn't try to stop her. But his eyes burned with something that made her chest tighten.

"No," he said. "But it means something."

She turned away, pressing a hand to her lips.

Because she knew he was right.

And that terrified her most of all.