He was the first friendly face she’d seen all evening, and she’d been standing here for two hours, in the same spot. She could barely walk in the heels Roman made her wear. The dress she wore was also uncomfortable, as it went around her neck and fell to the floor. It was completely unflattering, and Alex hated it. Years ago, Liam once told her to choose her battles wisely, and she used that advice in her marriage.
If she didn’t fight Roman on the simple things like her clothing, then there was a chance for her to fight for something she did want, like freedom, or … something. She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, but being stuck in his country home or his apartment all day sucked. He’d given her a credit card to go shopping with, but she wasn’t one to shop.
“Business,” Liam said.
“Of course. It’s always business.” She had nothing to say.
“You’re upset.”
“I’m not.” The lie was easy to say, but he didn’t believe it.
Liam took a deep breath. “Excuse me.”
“Dad, don’t,” she said.
They had already started to gain some attention. Publicdisplays of affection were frowned upon. After she’d hugged her father, a lot of people frowned, clearly talking about her.
She was the stupid wife of Roman Greco. The outsider. The weirdo with the strange name. She happened to love her name. Admittedly, it was because her dad wanted a boy, but Alex was a nice name. She liked it.
“I am going to deal with him.”
“And what, force him to come and stand with me? Why? We have nothing to talk about. I … I don’t fit in here.” She hated how pitiful she sounded.
“Sweetheart, you fit anywhere you want to be.”
“No, I don’t. You didn’t raise me to be…” She looked toward the women who were in their own private circle. She’d never been part of the in crowd, never cared to be. This was no different. “This.”
“Alex,” he said, and she held her hand up, stopping him.
“Please, don’t. I don’t need my dad trying to deal with my husband.” Even saying the wordhusbandwas difficult. She had never intended to get married. Never wanted to be married. Her parents had never married. According to her father, her mother hadn’t wanted to tie the knot, didn’t feel it was necessary.
“I didn’t want you to be put in this kind of situation.”
“You arranged this for us, Dad. How could you not have wanted it?” Alex and Roman were two people who’d never met before their wedding.
Liam had always kept her far away from his other business dealings. She was aware of it, and he never lied to her about what he was, but that didn’t mean he exposed her unnecessarily.
The first time she actually met Roman was when she walked down the aisle to him. There had been other opportunities for them to meet, but they had never happened. Mainly because he was busy, like, all the time. Even when sherefused to have the virgin test, he hadn’t been present for any of it. His father had.
“Bringing our families together was necessary,” Liam said. “But that doesn’t mean I wanted you to be miserable. I can fix this.”
“Dad there’s nothing to fix. I think we’re just strangers, you know. Trying to get used to each other and all of that.” She forced a smile to her lips, which was again difficult.
She’d never been a good liar. Liam had told her many times that she was terrible at it. The worst person, and he’d even advised her not to attempt it when she was older either. He probably had the nicest, easiest kid to hang out with. She had never rebelled against him. They had an amazing relationship, father and daughter.
Liam’s nostrils flared as he looked toward Roman.
Her husband was looking back at her, and she couldn’t exactly read the look on his face, but she could imagine he was … pissed. Maybe something more, she wasn’t sure. Either way, he wasn’t happy.
What more could she do?
Did he not like her talking to her father?
“You promise not to make waves?” she asked.
“I promise not to meddle, but if he does anything, or if in any way you’re scared, you come to me.”
“Promise.”