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“You are the key, Zoe. You work in public relations. You are Aaron’s sister, which means we can trust you. You live here now, and the story would match perfectly. Childhood crushes turned into modern-day lovers, together at last. You moved here for work, Dom and Aaron are best friends, and he lives in the same building as your brother. It’s perfect. We could coach you both, and once all the drama dies down, you can stage a quiet, fake breakup. Easy and simple.”
Easy and simple. Nothing about this sounds easy or simple.
“Are you seriously going to sit there all night and stay quiet? We’re family. Fucking say something. Tell him this idea is ridiculous,” Dom exclaims to Aaron.
My brother lifts his whiskey glass to his lips, his eyes moving between Dom and me before he swallows and lets out an exasperated breath like we’re toddlers and he’s sick of our shit.
“I think it’s a good idea.”
Dominik gasps. “What is wrong with you two? No one would believe it. I’ve never dated a single woman. I don’t even kiss anyone on the lips.”
“What?” I blurt out.
Tristan waves his hand. “It’s a stupid rule he has.”
Dominik grinds his teeth, choking on everything he’s not saying as he opens and closes his hands. I wish I could climb inside his head to know what he’s thinking, find out exactly which parts of me he hates most. Are they the same parts I hate about myself?
“Did he hurt someone?” I ask Tristan.
“Absolutely not,” Dom cuts in.
“No.” Tristan shakes his head.
“He’s just a broken whore.” Aaron snorts.
Not entirely helpful, but I am relieved, knowing I wouldn’t be able to play a role in this if he had hurt someone.
“Listen, I don’t know what this is all about. Truth be told, I don’t do relationships either so I have no idea what you’d expect of me, especially being in public with all of this. But I know for sure it would never work with me. Look at the way he’s glaring at me.”
Aaron and Tristan both glance at Dominik.
I want to help Dom, I really do. But I think I would make everything worse for him, and he doesn’t need that right now.
Tristan leans in. “Let me worry about Dom.”
I shake my head. “You shouldn’t force anyone into anything. And as much as I want to help him, he needs to want this too, or no one is going to buy it. Look how pissed he is just sitting over there. You’re going to sell love with that?”
“He’s just having a rough day. He’s not always like this, you know that,” Aaron says.
“Do I? He’s never been fond of me,” I whisper under my breath, glancing down at my dry fingers. The winter in New York has a certain harshness to it, although it's not significantly different from Boston.
It’s quiet for a long time.
“Zoe…” The sound of my name rolling off Dominik’s tongue sends a cold chill down my spine. “I would hate to drag you into my mess. I created it; you shouldn’t have to help me clean it up.”
Glancing up, my breath hitches as I stare back at Dominik. God, he looks so defeated. How can I not help him?
What if I want to be dragged into your mess?
“I want to help however I can. Even if it’s to use my PR experience to help you navigate through the next few weeks.”
“Fuck, Zoe, you’re the best.” Tristan pulls me in for a hug, crushing my lungs against his rock-hard body.
“No…need,” I grunt out, and he releases me with a laugh.
“This will never work.” Dom slumps back in his chair, his face pointing at the vast ceiling.
Aaron chugs back his whiskey and stands up. “Actually, it is going to work. Tristan is good at dealing with shit like this. I trust Zoe with my life; I know she won’t fuck you over. And Dominik, the same goes for you. I know you won’t hurt my sister.” Aaron glares at Dominik, and a tense silence fills the air, lingering between them. It almost feels as if they have had this conversation before or are engaging in a silent power struggle.
