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18
Dominic
Fuck. What did I do? I could’ve left it as a short peck on the lips. No one would’ve said anything. But I lost control. Me. The disciplined guy who makes sure every box is checked, and everything is in order just mauled his fake wife in front of an entire room full of family.
Val’s quiet beside me, and the waiter has refilled her water glass four times now. When she excuses herself between dinner and dessert to go to the restroom, I’m relieved because all I can think about is pulling up her dress under the table and seeing how wet she is from that kiss.
I can’t even stand to look at the ring on her finger. So I dodged her all night—until everyone clanked their glasses. We didn’t have a choice. The more you deny them, the more they clink.
Ma and Pa get up from the table to go say hello to someone, and Enzo and Carm slide over next to me.
“What the hell was that?” Carm asks. “You were about two seconds from clearing the table and laying her down.”
Enzo laughs.
“It’s an act.” I take a sip of my scotch, staring straight ahead so I don’t have to look at them.
Enzo raises his eyebrows. “That wasn’t an act. You need to face the facts, bro.”
I take another sip of my scotch. “Val and I are not an option, but I can’t deny that I want her.”
“Then do it. Have sex,” Carm, the least responsible of us, chimes in.
“I can’t.”
“Why? You guys are fighting some crazy chemistry.” Carm shakes his head. “Maybe you’re both just horny. You put that stipulation in place that you can’t have sex with anyone else. And then the two of you are living together? I can’t imagine how you’re holding up. Pornhub?”
I nod.
“That’s not gonna work for long. If you guys had casual sex before, why not now?” Carm asks.
“That’s stupid,” Enzo says. “It’s because he clearly loves her.”
“Whoa.” I hold up my hands. “I don’t love her.”
Enzo blows out a breath. “You’re delusional.”
“I get that I fell for her once upon a time maybe, but we’re friends now. Childhood friends. I might have love for her, but I’m not in love with her.”
Enzo sits back in his seat. “Bullshit.”
What is it about people who’ve found love wanting everyone else to have the same? It’s irritating as hell.
“Then that’s perfect.” Carm shrugs. “Screw her and get it out of your system. You guys will get the annulment after all this and that’s it. I have no idea why you’re second-guessing yourself. It’s pretty simple.”
Huh. He could have a point. After last summer, I should be good at leaving my heart out of the equation. No point in being sexually frustrated when I don’t have to be.
“You might be the smartest brother.” I wink at Carm.
He winks back, beaming at Enzo like “take that.”
Enzo rolls his eyes. “You’re both idiots. And when you lose her and you’re devastated, don’t come crying to me. Carm can handle that all on his own.” He stands, pats Carm’s shoulder, and walks away.
“Thanks,” I say to my youngest brother, perfectly happy to go ahead with this plan.
“Any time.” Carm shakes his glass and the ice inside clinks. “I gotta go get a refill. Go find your woman and make it happen.”
He leaves, and I think his advice over again. Every big decision deserves a second thought. But when it comes to Val, I think I’ve done enough thinking.
So as the waiters take away our dinner plates, I stand, planning on having my dessert upstairs.
