Dominic

With this portion of the day closed off to the media, I finally allowed myself to relax for a few minutes. I sat down next to my new wife with a bowl of soup and a plate of macaroni-based salads and let out a sigh. “Well, Viv, we’ve made it through the official bits. You’re stuck with me now.” 

I chuckled, but she didn’t reciprocate. I could see the anger flashing behind her irises for just a moment, which only made my grin wider. Pushing her buttons had always been one of my favorite pastimes. And this was possibly one of the best excuses to tease her I’d ever had. 

But instead of her usual insults, she pasted a fake smile on her face and continued eating her lunch. Which honestly wasn’t as much fun as usual, but I had told her this needed to be convincing. We were supposed to be madly in love today, not bickering like an old married couple. 

I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on us. Usually that wouldn’t bother me, but they felt extra heavy today. This wasn’t like a press conference or a board meeting where I commanded the attention of the room with my powerful presence. No, this was more like being a museum exhibit or a zoo animal. 

The discomfort made me feel overly warm. I unbuttoned the top button of my polo and took a long swig of my ice water, which helped a little bit. “So, there’s a bit of time between the luncheon and the reception. Is there anything in particular you want to do?”

“If you’re hinting at any extracurricular activities, Dominic, let me remind you that you’re still only running the demo program.” Viv finished the last spoon of soup in her bowl and pushed it away. “I really just want to spend an hour or two alone to scroll social media and relax.” 

That was the easiest request of the day so far. “Sure. I’ll get us checked into our hotel room, and you can spend some time up there until it’s time to get ready for the reception.” 

“Our hotel room? What are you talking about? We’re not-” She must have remembered halfway through the sentence where we were and who was around, because she stopped dead and lowered her voice. “We’re not actually sleeping together, Dominic. I thought I’d made that abundantly clear.” 

I rolled my eyes and resisted the temptation to pick a small slice of carrot out of my salad and throw it at her. “Don’t worry! It’s all for appearances. Wouldn’t it look strange if the newlyweds went home to their own apartments right after the wedding? You can stay there tonight, and I can get a second room. It’s not a big deal.”

She softened, but only slightly. “I suppose you’re right. But I meant it when I said I wanted to be completely alone. You existing in the same room doesn’t count.” 

“Don’t worry! I’ll have plenty of things to do between lunch and the party. Nobody is going to question me if I tell them you had a headache and wanted to go take a nap. Weddings are stressful, after all.” I smiled and reached up to boop the tip of her nose, but stopped midway. I’d already been pushing my luck in the physical department today. It was probably best that I reserved my remaining get out of jail free cards for the reception. 

The two of us were allowed to finish our lunch in relative peace, to my surprise. My family whispered amongst themselves, but none of them bothered to come up and talk to us. Enzo, on the other hand, bounced between tables like he was the ball in a pinball machine. And unfortunately, we were the hole between the flippers. 

“How are you guys holding up? Enjoying the best day of your lives?” He grinned that stupid grin of his, and winked at Viv. “If he annoys you too much, let me know. I’ll set him straight for you.” 

Viv laughed. Actually laughed! “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, Enzo. I wouldn’t be surprised if I have to take you up on that at some point.” Both of them turned their heads to look at me. I gave them the best glare I could muster, but it was only returned with giggles. 

“Oh, I see where your loyalty lies.” I shook my head and waved Enzo away, but he was sure to give me a knowing wink before he wandered off to bother someone else. “Why he stays my best friend, I’ll never know…” 

“He’s good for you, that’s why.” Viv stuck her tongue out at me, then quickly finished her food. Before she could escape, though, her sister dropped into the chair next to Viv. I stared at her, amazed how similar the two were. 

Twins, duh. I know I shouldn’t have been surprised. Her eyes clung to me like butter on toast and I shifted in my seat. “Uh, hi. Analise, right?” 

“Yup. Quite the fancy party you put on, brother-in-law. I hope it’s a glimpse of how much you’re going to spoil my sister. Otherwise, I might have to pay you a little visit.” 

Her voice was light and teasing, but I could feel the threatening undertone. It was the same one that Viv had, only more terrifying somehow. Maybe it was because her eyes looked like she wanted to eat me. “Don’t worry. Viv will have everything she ever dreamed of, soon enough.” 

Which was the truth. Soon enough we’d have the Kingsley contract, and Viv would have more of her own money than she knew what to do with. Analise lowered her eyebrows, the corner of her lip twitching, but I maintained my carefree smile. No blood in the water for that shark to smell, hell no.

Viv actually rescued me this time. “Time for you to keep your promise, Dominic. I need my ‘me’ time.” 

I looked at my half-finished plate and shrugged. I could always come back after I’d stowed the bossy princess up in her lonely tower. I held out my hand and she hesitated, but took it. We slipped out the door and into the hallway that led to the main portion of the hotel, leaving her frightening doppelganger behind.