Dominic wasn't paying attention to any of it. Not the crowd, not the street performers, not the guy trying to hand him a flyer. He was walking beside Jace, listening to Carter complain about some client who'd wasted an hour test driving a car he couldn't afford.

She was walking with a friend. Laughing at something, head tilted, hair catching the sun as she moved. Gorgeous. Not in a way that demanded attention. In a way that made Dominic forget there was anything else on the street to look at.

Then her eyes lifted.

And she was already looking at him.

Dominic held it. Watched the faint color rise to her face before she looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, saying something to her friend like nothing had happened.

He knew that look. Attraction. Recognition. The usual.

So he did what he always did.

Nothing.

She didn't come over.

A few minutes later, their groups ended up in the same shop—some crowded store full of overpriced candles and skincare and other things Dominic would never have entered on his own. Carter wanted something. Dominic didn't care what.

She was there.

Browsing with her friend near the back. Fingers trailing absently over a shelf of bottles. Laughing at something under her breath.

Then she looked up again.

Straight at him.

Dominic didn't look away this time. He held her gaze deliberately, let the corner of his mouth pull up just slightly, the way that always worked, the way that told someone yes, I see you, come here.

She smiled.

Warm. Interested. Unmistakably attracted.

Then she turned back around and continued shopping with her friend.

Dominic stopped walking.

Carter followed his gaze. Then looked at Dominic's face. Then back at the girl. A slow grin spread across his face.

Dominic waited another minute.

Then two.

She didn't come over.

Like there wasn't a six-foot-three man across the store waiting to be approached.

Then he walked toward her.

The friend saw him first. Dirty blonde hair, sharp eyes, gold hoops catching the light. She tracked his approach with a slow, knowing look, then glanced at the other girl with the smallest, most insufferable smile Dominic had ever seen.

He stopped beside her. Close enough that she had to tilt her head back slightly to look up at him.

Up close, she was even prettier.

Then nothing.

Dominic stared at her. Then at her friend. Then back at her.

He was going to have to do this himself.