The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

“Just come over for dinner. You’ve been avoiding us for weeks now. You’re breaking my mum’s heart, you know?”

I clutch my phone tighter and sigh. “I know… I don’t mean to. It’s just been difficult. Do you think Daniel will be there?”

Dominic hesitates. “Nah, doubt it. He rarely comes home these days. He’s usually at his apartment or at work. Don’t worry about it. Just come over and have dinner with me and mum. Stay the night if you want. We could watch movies? It’s a Saturday, so don’t tell me you have to work.”

I’m tempted. I’ve missed Dominic and Mary so much. They’re the only family I’ve got left, but I’ve been avoiding them out of fear of running into Daniel. And partially out of fear they’d tell me he’s moved on. I don’t really want to hear about him and his new girlfriend.

“I guess dinner wouldn’t hurt,” I murmur. Dominic cheers and makes me chuckle. I guess a night of fun and laughter is just what I need. All I’ve done the last couple of weeks is work until I’m exhausted enough to fall asleep. It’s an endless destructive cycle.

I’m nervous when I walk into the mansion. My biometrics all still work. I wonder if they’ll change that soon. Perhaps I should bring it up. Maybe Mary isn’t aware of it.

“Darling, you made it!” she says, a wide smile on her face. She hugs me tightly. I keep hold of her for a long time, and she pets my back lovingly.

“I missed you,” I whisper.

She presses a kiss to my cheek and pets my hair. “I missed you too, my darling. This is your home, you know. Come back whenever you want.”

Dominic walks up to me and throws his arm around my shoulder. “That’s what I’ve been saying. Come on. Mum made your favourite things. There’s lasagne and apple pie for dessert. It’s obvious that you’re the favourite. She never cooks me my favourite foods.”

I roll my eyes at him and follow him to the dining table. I’m relieved to find Daniel isn’t here. I don’t think I can face him. I don’t think I can look at him, knowing his heart lies with someone else.

Dinner is filled with giddiness and laughter. Thankfully, no one brings up Daniel. I was terrified they’d tell me that he’s happy and dating someone else. I can’t help but wonder if they’ve already met the girl he’s so intent on marrying. Are they just sparing my feelings?

Dominic wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me towards the living room. The two of us settle down on the sofa in our usual seats, cuddled together. I’m surprised when Dominic hands me the remote. Usually I have to fight him for it.

“Since you’ve finally showed up, I won’t complain even if you make me watch a chick flick.”

I grin and mentally go through a list of the cheesiest ones I can think of. There’s no way I’m passing up this chance. I eventually settle on Friends with Benefits, and Dominic groans. He hugs me tightly as we watch the movie and I snuggle into him. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed hanging out with him, but even more so, I miss doing exactly this with Daniel. How many times has he spooned me on the sofa as we watched a movie together?

I watch Mila and Justin fall in love with each other and glance at Dominic. “Do you think we’d fall in love with each other if we slept together?” I ask him.

He’s so startled that he sits up and lets go of me. He blushes and looks at me with wide eyes. “I’m not sure. I think we already established that it would destroy our friendship. Besides, your heart belongs to someone else.”

I nod and sink back down into the pillows. “I guess so. A rebound with someone I actually know and like isn’t the worst idea though.”

Dominic grins. “Can you actually see yourself sleeping with me?” he asks. I glance at him, truly taking in his body. He’s handsome as hell, but I can’t imagine seeing him naked. My face scrunches up in disgust and Dominic bursts out laughing. “I guess that’s a no,” he says, shaking his head.

“Yeah, no,” I agree. Dominic shrugs. There’s a hint of regret in his eyes, but I’m glad we’ve successfully moved past the stage of crushing on each other.

“Maybe you should just bang Liam. I know he wasn’t too pleased with how things played out at the auction, but I’m sure he’d forgive you. Even if you told him clearly that it’s just sex, he’d probably go for it.”

I seriously consider it. It’s not even the sex I miss per se. I just want to get over Daniel already. I’m also worried that I might actually suck in bed. If I sleep with someone else, I might finally know. It wouldn’t hurt to gain some more experience either.

“Yeah, maybe. Daniel told me the sex between us wasn’t bad. Ever since he said that to me, I’ve wondered if I’m really bad at it. I’m embarrassed and insecure. I wonder if it was ever okay for him at all, or if he just humoured me. I’m so inexperienced… I guess sleeping with Liam isn’t a bad idea. If nothing else, it might improve my skills. Maybe I should call him.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

I sit up in shock when I hear Daniel’s voice. He’s leaning against the wall behind us, obscured in darkness. How long has he been there? He walks up to us and sits down on the sofa right beside me. He looks good in his tight black tee and jeans. There are bags underneath his eyes and he looks tired, but it doesn’t take away from his handsomeness at all.

I glance at Dominic suspiciously. He told me Daniel probably wouldn’t be here, so what is he doing here now? He shrugs as though he doesn’t know either, but I see the tell-tale twinkle in his eyes.

“I uh… I should go, actually. I have plans tomorrow that I totally forgot about,” I lie.

I get up, but Dominic pulls me back down. “You said you’d stay over. Leave early in the morning if you must, but you’re staying. Don’t even dream of breaking your promise.”

I roll my eyes and snatch my hand out of his grip. “Fine. But I’m going to bed.”

Dominic knew Daniel would be staying the night here. He knew and he lied to me. He might be denying it, but I’m certain of it.