“I would get you a gift if you gotmea gift.”
“For me to get you a gift, you would have to get me a gift, idiot.”
The corner of his mouth twitches just slightly, and I realize it’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to seeing Locke smile.
“Kids.” Mina is nursing a tall glass of champagne. It doesn’t go unnoticed to me that she makes no attempt to introduce herself to Liliana. Instead, she waves her hand to the table, stacked with foods I don’t recognize. “Come sit. Dinner is ready.”
Keller’s private chef explains the kobe beef we’re eating tonight is, “authentic, fresh, and flown in from Japan this morning.”
I’m not sure how it’s possible to fake beef, and why it needs to be specially imported, but Billie squeals when she cuts into her steak. Sometime in the past I’m sure she’s travelled to Japan and gushed about how much she liked this dish, and then her father made it a reoccurrence for her, because he can.
“So, Liliana,” Keller calls from that spot at the head of the table. I try to focus my attention on the food in front of me, and not the smug tint in his voice. “You attend Brookstone with Grant, correct?”
“That’s right.” Lily’s hand taps my knee under the table, and it grounds me. There’s a line cut into my plate, where I hadn’t realized I’d already made it through the meat.
“Interesting. You’re the study partner Grant meets with every Thursday?”
Her hand stutters, and I glance at her. I’d been so caught up trying to deal with my emotions leading up to today, swallowing the fact that the first family members who would meet my girlfriend are these people, that our white lie slipped my mind.
I forgot about it completely over the last month or so, if I’m honest.
Lily only falters for a moment before composing her smile. “That’s also right.”
“So you’re an art student?”
It’s Keller I look at this time. He’s smirking. I press my tongue into the top of my mouth to keep the words at bay. Why is he being even more of a dick than usual?
He smiles like he isn’t, like it’s an innocent series of questions. But his parting words at the mall and Locke’s nervous fidgeting tell me enough. It’s a test.
Liliana nods, stares my father down. “Yeah, you could say that.”
A warm feeling spreads around my chest. It’s the first time she’s ever admitted she’s an artist in some capacity. I’m so proud.
“Is that so?” Keller’s face is devoid of the playful glint he had seconds ago. A stern expression takes over his features, the same one I saw after he shouted at Locke and Billie.
They’re engrossed in their food and avoiding the conversation. My stepmother is flagging down another waiter, shaking her champagne glass.
Everything points at this being too serious for small talking your kid’s girlfriend.
“She’s a writing student.” I manage after scarfing down what might be the last bit of food I’ll get before it turns cold. “So, art, yeah.”
“That’s notyoursort of art, son.”
I shrug off the nickname. “It’s still art.”
“Is she…” Keller juts his fork out in Liliana’s direction accusingly. Something about it feels more malicious than just some silverware, and I have the instinct to put myself in the middle. To get him off Lily, even if it means metaphorically.
The ugly gold glimmers when he waves it at her dramatically. “Is she the reason you’re stuck on this art crap?”
“Excuse me?”
We say it at the same time. Lily’s surprise and my annoyance mixing in the mess Keller starts. I shake my head at Liliana when she opens her mouth again. She’s here to support me, and for that I’m grateful, but I won’t let her shoulder my father’s intimidation tactics.
“What are you asking?”
“Is this girlfriend of yours the reason you won’t let go of this art stuff?” Keller waves his fork at the air this time.
“No?” The question doesn’t make sense. Billie glances over at me with an equally baffled look on her face. I’m used to awkward hours spent with Keller, but this is pure confusion and annoyance. “We didn’t even meet until college.”
