"Ready."
Dominic slowly pushed me out away from the wall and I being to slowly descend down to the ground. I twirled around as I was lowered to the ground and I was still crying and hugging my book to my chest.
I felt my feet touch the ground then a few seconds later his scent surrounded me as he put his arms around my body.
"Maybe I should have left the book till last."
I laughed and cried as I wrapped my arms around him.
"I l-love it."
I was crying hard.
Dominic hushed me and swayed me from side to side for a few minutes and when my sniffles slowed down he pulled back and laughed.
"You're so attractive."
I shoved him and quickly took tissue from Sarah's outstretched hand. I thanked her then wiped my eyes and blew my nose. I took a deep breath and sniffled a little more.
"I love it so much, I love you so much."
Dominic kissed my head. "I love you, too."
I knew he did, I had the book of reasons to prove it.
"This is the best present I've ever received, thank you."
Dominic pushed loose strands of hair out of my face.
"That was only your second present, I've a few more to give you yet."
I gasped. "Really?"
Dominic nodded.
"Can I have them now?"
"No," he laughed, "You will get them at each location."
Each location.
"How do you-"
"I've a list, remember?"
Ah, his list.
"Okay, so now that we're done wall climbin'... I mean we are done wall climbin', right?"
Dominic nodded his head.
Oh, thank God.
"Great, so where to next?" I asked excited to see what else he had in store for me.
Dominic helped me out of my harnesses then lightly tapped my behind.
"To get some food."
Oh.
"I'm in me gym clothes, I'm not dressed to go out for food."
Dominic winked. "I've a change of clothes for you in my car, Branna packed them for me when you were sleeping this morning."
Oh.
"Oh, okay, where are we goin'?"
Dominic smirked. "Wait and see."
"Why are we in Phoenix Park? Are you takin' me to the zoo?" I gasped.
Dominic snorted. "And listen to you complain about all the children in your way of the penguins? No thanks."
I scoffed. "That was one time-"
"It happens every time we go to the zoo."
I folded my arms across my chest. "They purposively stand in the way of adults. It annoys me."
Dominic shook his head as he laughed. "A lot of things annoy you."
"So?"
Dominic didn't reply he only mumbled to himself and continued to lead me somewhere in Phoenix Park by the hand. I followed him mutely but looked down to my bag when my phone rang. I reached into it with my free hand and answered the phone before I put it to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Happy birthday!"
I smiled. "Thanks, Gav."
Dominic's hand tightened its hold on me and it made me roll my eyes.
His childlike grudge against Gavin was still as strong as when we were eighteen and in school. It was a very painful headache to deal with.
"Where are you? I have a card and present to give you."
I smiled.
"Awe, thank you! You didn't have to get me anythin'."
Gavin chuckled. "I know but I wanted too, it's your twenty-first after all!"
Every time someone said that all I could think was I only have another nine years until I celebrate my thirtieth birthday... that was scary.
"Well, thank you that is so sweet of you - ow!"
I snatched my hand from Dominic's suddenly painful hold and stormed ahead of him.
God, he pissed me off sometimes!
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Okay, so can I drop your stuff by... or is Dominic around."
I grinned; he was so wary of Dominic.
"I'm in the Phoenix Park with him, he has a bunch of things planned for us today."
Gavin sighed. "I'll give my present to Aideen then, and she can give it to you later or give it to Branna for you."
Aideen Collins was Gavin's older and only sister. She was good friends with Branna; she was funny and completely bat-shit crazy.
She fit right in with us.
"Thanks Gav, why don't you swing by later? I'm sure we're all goin' out somewhere tonight."
"Thanks for the invite, but I'm in work until eleven, I'll be shite company from fallin' asleep standin' up."
I snorted. "Okay well, come by durin’ the week so we can watch a film or somethin'."
"You're on, speak soon, hun."
I grinned; he said hun like an old woman.
"Bye hun." I replied.
He laughed and hung up.
I put my phone in my bag and felt him close behind me as I done so.
"You hurt me hand you know?"
Dominic sighed. "Sorry, I just hate-"
"You hate Gavin. I know that, he knows that, the fuckin' world knows that, Dominic."
Silence.
"I just hate that you're close with him."
I turned to Dominic and glared up and him.
"I warned you before not to start this argument up again, but yet you started it. If you can't handle one of me best friends is a fella then you might as well pack up your shite and move out of me house and life because he isn't goin' anywhere. He is me friend; I don't know how many times I have to tell you that."