“I don’t remember you mentioning her before.”
He shrugs.
“There’s a lot of people at the hospital, Era.”
“Sure.”
Silence settles between us again.
Then he clears his throat. “She actually transferred into my team a few months ago,” he adds quickly.
I nod slowly, watching the streetlights reflect across the windshield.
“That’s nice.”
He glances at me.
“Why all the questions?”
I force a small smile.
“Just making conversation.”
He nods and turns his attention back to the road. But something about the way his fingers tighten briefly around the steering wheel doesn’t go unnoticed. And I can’t help wondering, If he’s nervous. Or if I’m just finally paying attention. We pull up in front of the restaurant, the glow of warm lights spilling onto the street. For a moment I consider saying it.
I don’t feel well, maybe we should go home.
The words sit right there in my throat but they never come out. Dominic pulls the car up to the valet stand and hands over the keys like he’s done this a hundred times.
“Ready?” he asks, stepping out.
I nod even though my stomach is curling. Together we walk toward the entrance. The moment we step inside, the rich smell of garlic, butter, andsimmering tomato sauce fills the air. Soft Italian music hums quietly through the restaurant while low conversations blend into a warm background murmur. The lighting is golden and soft, reflecting off polished wine glasses and crisp white tablecloths. Candles flicker gently on each table, casting quiet shadows across the room.
Dominic scans the room for a moment before spotting them. “There they are,” he says. My heart begins to beat faster as we walk toward a table near the window. Five people are already seated.
Dominic smiles.
“Hey everyone.”
They all look up.
“Folks, this is my wife,” he says, resting a hand lightly on my back. “Era.” He gestures toward the first man. “This is Daniel.”
Daniel stands and shakes my hand with a friendly smile.
“Nice to finally meet you.”
“And this is his wife, Emily,” Dominic adds. “She’s one of the best doctors at the hospital with us.”
Emily smiles warmly.
“It’s so nice to meet you.”
Dominic nods toward the second man.
“And this is Marcus. He’s another doctor I work with. But known him for years, he used to diagnose me with all sorts of things.”
Marcus chuckles and lifts his wine glass slightly.