The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

“How have you been, my dear? Has Daniel been good to you? Are you comfortable at his apartment?”

Mary started fussing over me instantly, making me feel even worse for staying away so long.

“Of course. He’s always good to me, you know that. The apartment is amazing. The views are stunning and I’m so in love with the kitchen.”

She grins as she takes her famous apple pie out of the oven. “Yeah, me too. Back when Daniel first bought that apartment, I’d go over all the time just to play around with all the fancy equipment he put in there. Such a dream kitchen.”

I laugh and help her cut the pie. “I did wonder how he accumulated so many utensils that he never seems to use.”

She smiles at me fondly. “So you two have been eating well? Have you been having dinner together?”

I nod at her. “Most days we manage it. Work has been busy and Dan is so busy with Devereaux Inc too. Even at home he’s always working.”

She nods thoughtfully. “The boy works too hard. He needs to hire more staff and delegate more. He can’t keep overworking himself.”

I nod in agreement, but we both know Daniel won’t do that. There are too many things he has a hand in directly. Too many projects that are close to his heart.

Dominic walks up to me and hugs me from behind, startling me. He presses a kiss to my hair and reaches around me to grab a piece of apple pie.

“Delicious,” he murmurs, his eyes on me. Mary clears her throat and looks displeased but doesn’t say anything. She looks torn, which is exactly how I feel. Dominic and I have always been close and him hugging me isn’t anything special, but it feels different these days. It feels like he’s flirting with me. I’ll need to talk to him soon enough, but I’m avoiding having that conversation. I don’t want to hurt him, and I don’t want to strain our friendship.

I didn’t notice Daniel leaning against the kitchen doorway until he turns and walks back out. How long had he been standing there? I close my eyes and sigh. Why does this have to be so difficult?

“What’s wrong?” Dominic asks. He moves to brush my hair out of my face and I dodge him instinctively. I’ve gotten so used to Daniel doing it that having anyone else touch my hair feels wrong now. “Headache?” he asks. I nod absentmindedly, not wanting to explain myself. He grabs my hand and pulls me along. “Come on, let’s get you some painkillers. I’ll massage your head for you.”

We walk past Daniel’s bedroom. The door is open and he’s sitting on his bed staring at his phone. His eyes drop to our joined hands and he stares at us expressionlessly as we enter Dominic’s bedroom.

“Nic, what are you doing?”

He sits down on his bed and looks up at me. “You and I have always been in my room together for hours on end. No one has ever thought it was weird. Seriously, what’s gotten into you lately? It’s like my brother’s moodiness has rubbed off on you.”

I pull a hand through my hair and frown at his words.

“I just wanted to talk to you in private. I told you I meant every word.”

I sit down next to him. “I know you said that, but I doubt you actually mean it. We’re best friends. We’d never work out as a couple. Plus, I’m married to Daniel. I can never undo that. Do you really want to be the guy who hits on his sister-in-law?”

He grimaces. “Your marriage to him is only on paper, and no one knows about it. No one will ever know, so why does it matter?”

I shake my head. “You and I will never be together, Dominic. You need to get the idea of us out of your head. If we were meant to get together, it would’ve happened long before now. Not now that I’m out of reach.”

Dominic chuckles. “What? You think I suddenly want you because you’re married to my brother? You’re crazy. You’re the best person I know. My favourite person. The only reason I didn’t pursue you before now is because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.”

I shake my head. “Even so. Even if you’re serious about this, I don’t feel the same way. I might’ve had a crush on you because we were so close and so familiar with each other, but that’s it. It’s in the past. You’re right to say it’s not worth putting our friendship at risk over.”

I sigh. Truthfully, I don’t see Dominic the way I used to. I always used to think the world of him, but that illusion shattered when my father died and he left me to deal with it myself. His behaviour showed me what both Daniel and Mary have seen all along. That Dominic has a long way to go in terms of growing up. I don’t want to be the one he learns his lessons through. Dominic has an amazing heart, but both his mother and brother have spoiled him rotten. So have I, for that matter. I’ve always given in to him, and I’ve always done everything he ever asked of me.

“You’re only saying that because I’ve been such an asshole recently. I’ll be better, Alyssa. For you, I’ll be better.”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t want or need you to be better. I need you to be my friend. That’s all.”

Dominic chuckles. “What? A year ago you were crying your eyes out because I said I just wanted to be friends. And now you’re the one telling me you just want to be friends? Why? Did something happen between you and Daniel?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “What happens between me and my husband is none of your concern, Dominic.”

He looks at me with raised brows. “You and your husband? What, did you fuck him, Alyssa? Did you fucking sleep with my brother?”

I haven’t, but I don’t want to admit that. I don’t want him to think there’s any hope left that we might work out.

“Yes.”

Dominic’s shoulders relax, and he smiles. “You’re lying,” he breathes out. I blink at him and shake my head.

“Yes, you are. You could never lie to me, Alyssa. If you haven’t slept with him yet, then it won’t happen at all. I’ve heard the rumours about Daniel. I know my brother better than anyone. He’s impatient and ruthless in bed. If he wanted you, he would’ve already pursued you. Since that hasn’t happened, the only way he’ll sleep with you is if at some point it’s convenient. If he’s got an itch to scratch. It won’t be out of desire or blinding lust, like his weekend girls.”

I pale at his words, because he’s voicing out my inner demons. I’d have to be deaf to not have heard the rumours about Daniel. To never be in contact with the countless women in our social circle that he’s slept with. I’ve heard the giggling and the whispering amongst the women that he’s been with. The inevitable drunk comparison notes in club bathrooms and their eagerness to have him again. Even I know he fucks hard and fast and leaves women wanting more. He’s relentless in his pursuit, but he’s never once shown me the type of passion he seems to have shown other women.

“Even so, I’m married to Daniel and it’ll remain that way for the foreseeable future. Regardless of what happens between Daniel and I… you and I will never be together, Nic. I don’t want to lose you as a friend, but I need you to drop this now.”

He looks down. The agony in his eyes makes my heart ache, but there’s no other way to handle this. I need him to understand we can never be together.