Mostly, I’m sad—and angry—for Lilavati. Sad that her parents are so concerned with money and appearances that they’d be prepared to bribe a partner they think is unsuitable to break up with her. Potentially break her heart. Just so they can ensure she doesn’t end up with the ‘wrong’ kind of man. Sad for the way they can’t see her for the incredible person she is. Sad that she feels she has to dim her light to be acceptable to them.
And angry that not once have either of her parents asked Lilavati anything about her career or her life, no matter how hard I tried to bring the conversation around.
Two things seem clear: Lil is far more complex than I imagined, and the Gordons have taken me at face value. Which was a mistake. Because this might have started out as a bit of a lark, but by the time I walk away from this fake dating thing, I intend to have shown Lilavati what she’s worth.
Chapter Eleven
Lilavati
Ant is quiet as we drive away from my parents’ house. Which, I guess, is not surprising. They gave him a sound grilling. But it went better than I’d imagined. Which has me on my guard. It can’t be that easy.
I did think Warren was going to arc up when Ant corrected him on his name, but the moment passed without incident.
I fully expected Mum to pull me aside and give me a long list of reasons why Ant is not the man for me, but if I didn’t know better, I’d say she seemed charmed by him. And somewhat to my surprise, he gave her no reason not to be. He was polite, respectful, and raved about her food. All sure-fire ways to my mother’s heart in the normal course of events. From a surfboard-making barista, though? I’m not convinced.
Ant was very gracious. He didn’t even flinch when my stepfather asked him about university, or started talking politics. And though he clearly disagreed with Warren’s views, and wasn’t afraid to say so, he was still polite. And incredibly well-informed and thoughtful.
I learnt a little something about Ant tonight. He’s much smarter than he lets on. A piece of information I don’t really need since it only makes him more attractive, dammit.
“I’m sorry Mum and Dad were so nosy tonight,” I say.
“Totally fine. I was expecting it. What parents don’t interrogate their kid’s significant other?”
Can anyone really be as easygoing as he seems? Even when I snap and snarl, he takes it with good humour, yet without backing down from his position. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite so comfortable in who they are, or unconcerned about the opinion of others.
“I think they actually liked you.” Not sure that’s entirely true, but that seems to be the appearance they wanted to give. And if we can keep it that way until after the wedding, I’ll be happy.
He’s silent for a moment. Then he laughs, but there’s no humour in it.
“Don’t sound so surprised. I’m charming and delightful. But I thought the point was for them not to like me? Aren’t you trying to get under their skin?”
“What? I never said that.” Okay, that’s exactly what I was doing, but how did Ant know that?
“Oh, come on. You’re a doctor. Smart. Successful. Ambitious. And you bring home a guy who’s one step up from a beach bum. Of course that’s what you were trying to do.”
I’m mortified. Ashamed even. It didn’t occur to me he’d figure out what I was up to. But it should have. He might be annoying and self-described as one step up from a beach bum, but he’s also, as it turns out, perceptive.
And if I’m honest with myself, his career situation wasn’t the only reason I chose him. If you’re going to fake date someone, you want them to at least be good-looking. Sure, Ant takes it way past good-looking into scorching hot, which complicates things, but beggars can’t be choosers. And having someone like Ant onyour arm is good for the ego. Especially if Mum and Grandie are going to try and set me up with Emily’s brother-in-law. If he’s anything like his brother, it would be no contest.
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect.” My cheeks are burning. I can’t tell him I also thought there’d be no chance of me falling for him. That’s just too awful.
“I know.”
“Why on earth did you agree to it? If you knew what I was up to?”
I can’t fathom why a man like Ant would be prepared to humiliate himself this way. Especially not for me.
“Who’d be mad enough to turn down a week in Hawaii with a beautiful woman?” He runs his eyes up and down my body to punctuate his words. “Perhaps the better question is, why are you trying to upset them?”
The burning in my cheeks doesn’t subside from being called beautiful.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just tired of them trying to set me up with pretentious snobs with weak chins and thinning hair.”
Unexpectedly, given what must have been at least a small blow to his ego, he grins.
“So what I’m hearing is, you think I’m good-looking.”
And there’s the Ant I’m coming to know. I roll my eyes.
