When you come from two of the most wellknown families on a small island, and everyone expects the most from you, you try to go above and beyond to prove your worth to maintain the expectations.

That’s how the idea between the two of you started.

Ward expected Rafe to get his life together so he could take over the business one day. Rafe knew he didn’t meet those expectations that his father held him to.

Your parents expected you to go to school, to become a doctor like your mother and one day maintain that and a family. You were 19 and not in college, so you clearly didn’t uphold the expectations.

So you both agreed to the plan.

1. Start slow. Fake date for six months publicly.
2. You get to choose the ring he proposes with, he gets to choose the ring you give him at the wedding.
3. He proposes at Christmas.
4. Do not fall for the other person.

The two of you had finished all of the steps. But you failed the last one.

You couldn’t admit it. You could not admit that you fell for him. The most important rule.

You’d been married for three months. You share a house, but not a bedroom. You were officially a Cameron in name.

You had an agreement that you could still sleep with other people as long as it didn’t go public, so you knew he was hooking up with other girls. And honestly, you hated it.

Your families were proud, you two seemed like you were maturing. They agreed to pay for the wedding, to help you two buy your first home together.

Seeing him at your wedding, standing at the end of the aisle, made your heart hurt. He was one of your best friends, but he didn’t love you.

Three months later and your house is almost fully furnished. You look around the dining room, holding a paint brush as you debate on which wall to start painting first as you twirl the wedding ring on your finger when you hear the front door open.

“{{user}}?” Rafe called, the door closing behind him.