Catalina's POV
"Let's begin."
Dominic's voice was all business as he pulled up a presentation on the screen. Numbers. Charts. Revenue projections.
I couldn't focus on any of it.
All I could see was him.
Six years had changed everything. The warm, laughing boy who taught me to swim was gone. This Dominic was all sharp edges and cold professionalism. His jaw was harder. His shoulders broader. Even the way he stood screamed power.
And he was looking at me like I was a complete stranger.
"The merger will combine Castellano Resort's luxury hospitality with Harper Bakery's artisan reputation," he said, clicking through slides. "We're targeting high-end destination events. Weddings. Corporate retreats. The kind of clients willing to pay premium prices for exceptional experiences."
His eyes passed over me without pausing.
Like I was just another face in the room.
My chest ached.
"Cat will be perfect for this!" Sofia interrupted excitedly. "She's been creating amazing desserts since high school. Show them your portfolio, Cat!"
All eyes turned to me.
"Yes, Miss Harper." Dominic's tone was polite but distant. "We'd like to see your work."
Miss Harper. Again.
I opened my iPad with shaking hands. Pulled up photos of wedding cakes, dessert displays, specialty pastries I'd created over the past three years.
"This is from the mayor's daughter's wedding last month," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "A five-tier vanilla bean cake with edible gold leaf and—"
"Impressive," Dominic interrupted. "For a small-town bakery."
The words stung like a slap.
"Small-town doesn't mean simple," I shot back before I could stop myself.
The room went silent.
Dominic's green eyes finally—finally—focused on me. Really looked at me.
For one second, something flickered in his expression. Surprise? Respect?
Then it was gone.
"Of course not," he said coolly. "Continue."
I forced myself through the rest of the presentation. Showed him chocolate sculptures, custom dessert menus, photos from events I'd catered.
When I finished, I had to hand my iPad to Dominic so everyone could see the screen better.
Our fingers brushed.
Electricity shot up my arm.
I gasped.
Dominic jerked his hand back like I'd burned him. The iPad nearly fell.
We stared at each other.
His breathing had changed. His pupils were wider. And for just a moment, the mask slipped.
He felt it too.
"The portfolio is... acceptable," he said roughly, looking away fast. "We'll integrate your designs into our menus. My assistant will send you the contract details."
Acceptable. Like I was barely good enough.
The meeting dragged on. Mom and Elena discussed timelines. Mr. Castellano talked about marketing budgets. Sofia asked a million questions about wedding venues.
And Dominic acted like I didn't exist.
He addressed everyone else by name. Smiled at Sofia's jokes. Nodded politely at my mother's suggestions.
But when he looked at me, his face went blank. Cold. Empty.
An hour in, I couldn't take it anymore.
"Excuse me," I said, standing. "Restroom."
I walked out before anyone could respond.
The bathroom was down the hall. I locked myself inside, leaning against the sink.
My hands were shaking. My eyes burned with tears I refused to let fall.
This was a mistake. Working with Dominic, seeing him every day while he treated me like nothing—I couldn't do this.
I splashed cold water on my face. Fixed my makeup. Took three deep breaths.
When I came back, everyone was packing up. The meeting was over.
"That went wonderfully!" Mom hugged me. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart!"
Elena air-kissed my cheeks. "We'll be in touch soon, dear."
Sofia grabbed my arm. "Want to get coffee? Catch up?"
"Actually, I need to get back to the bakery," I lied. "That cake disaster from this morning—"
"Oh, right! Okay, tomorrow then!" Sofia hugged me. "I'm so excited we're doing this together!"
Everyone filed out.
Everyone except Dominic.
He stood by the window, his back to me, staring at the ocean.
I should leave. Should walk out and never look back.
But I couldn't.
"Everyone else is gone," I said quietly. "You can stop pretending now."
He didn't turn around. "Pretending what?"
"That you don't remember me."
Silence. Long and painful.
The ocean waves crashed against the cliffs below. A clock ticked somewhere in the house.
Finally, Dominic spoke.
"People change, Catalina."
My name on his lips broke something inside me.
"So you do remember."
"I remember a little girl who used to follow her best friend around." His voice was controlled. Careful. "That's not who you are anymore."
"Then who am I?"
He turned then. Looked at me with those devastating green eyes.
"You're the creative director for this merger. My colleague. Sofia's best friend. That's all."
"Liar."
His jaw clenched. "Excuse me?"
"You felt it too. When our hands touched. Don't pretend you didn't."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Look me in the eye and tell me you don't remember teaching me to swim. Tell me you don't remember all those summers hunting for sea glass. Tell me you don't remember promising you'd always keep me safe."
Something cracked in his expression. Pain flashed across his face.
But his voice stayed cold.
"I remember being a teenager who was kind to his little sister's friend. Nothing more. Whatever you think you felt back then was a childhood crush. You've clearly outgrown it. As have I."
The words were designed to hurt.
They worked.
"I see," I managed. "Then this should be easy. Just business."
"Exactly."
I grabbed my portfolio and headed for the door.
"Catalina."
I stopped. Didn't turn around.
"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "you've done well for yourself. Your work is exceptional. Not just acceptable. Exceptional."
My throat tightened. "Thank you."
"And that dress—" He paused. "Green was always your color."
My heart stopped.
He did remember.
I turned around, but he was already walking toward the other door. The one that led to his private office.
"Dominic, wait—"
"I have another meeting. See yourself out." He disappeared without looking back.
I stood alone in the conference room, my heart hammering.
He remembered. He definitely remembered.
So why was he pretending he didn't?
I walked out to my car in a daze. Sat in the driver's seat without starting the engine.
My phone buzzed.
Sofia: Dinner at our place tonight! 7 PM! Mom's making your favorite pasta! Dom will be there too! Maybe you guys can warm up to each other? The meeting was so awkward lol
I stared at the text.
Dinner. With Dominic. Tonight.
I should say no. Should make an excuse.
But some part of me—the stupid, hopeful part that never learned—wanted to go.
Wanted another chance to see him.
Wanted to know if I'd imagined the longing in his voice when he said my name.
Me: I'll be there.
I looked up at the conference room window.
Dominic stood there, looking down at me.
Our eyes met through the glass.
For one long moment, neither of us moved.
Then his phone rang. He answered it, turning away.
But not before I saw his expression.
And it wasn't cold anymore.
It was agony.
I drove away, my mind spinning.
Tonight. Dinner. Seven PM.
Six hours to figure out what was happening.
Six hours to decide if I was brave enough to find out the truth.
My phone buzzed again as I pulled onto the main road.
Mom: The Castellanos loved you! Elena called to say Dominic was very impressed. This is going to be wonderful, sweetheart!
Impressed.
Right.
The man who could barely look at me was impressed.
I laughed. It sounded slightly hysterical.
Then I drove home to figure out what to wear to dinner with the man who'd just broken my heart.
Again.