Chapter Twenty

At dawn in the hotel, Dominic savors Rosie sleeping against him and realizes their marriage has lacked affection and communication. He vows to provide words and support, debating whether to confess buying a house in secret to fund her restaurant dream.

He steps into the hallway to call Stephen, who recounts club fallout: Wes and Bethany clashed, while Travis and Georgie disappeared together. Stephen also reports a cash offer on Dominic’s listed house—enough, when combined with GoFundMe funds, to secure the restaurant space on Cove.

Stephen urges transparency, but Dominic, fixated on delivering Rosie’s dream, chooses action over honesty and instructs Stephen to accept the offer.

Back in the room, Rosie, hopeful after their reconnection, welcomes Dominic. They banter over breakfast with a revived “Would you rather” game, easing into their old comfort and attraction.

Dominic proposes returning to Port Jeff to call the realtor and view the Cove building; Rosie eagerly agrees. Their renewed intimacy culminates in passionate sex, laughter, and handholding—signaling restored closeness—while Dominic’s unshared decision about the house lingers beneath their plans.