Page 16 of Unapologetic Love Story

She saw right through him. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to, especially in environments like this. It felt like a physical shove, one that threw him off balance and left him stumbling and scrambling.

‘I’m sorry I’ve offended you. That was stupid of me, I didn’t mean—’

‘Wait, I’ve got it,’ Raina said, laughing sunnily. ‘You think I’m a fake. All your conquests have been charlatans in one way or another, so you’re trying to see if I’m one as well.’

‘No. God, no! I—’

‘Because people like you expect disabled girls to look one of two ways – either very vulnerable, in a manner that makes you feel uncomfortable and afraid, or about to win the Bronze in the one-hundred-metre sprint on a prosthetic limb.’

‘That’s—’

‘Anything that falls outside of those two images sets off little sparks in your brain that say “fake”, “pretender”, “liar”. That autistic woman looks almost normal, she must be faking it for attention. She doesn’t look like that one image you’ve been fed since birth, therefore she cannot be telling the truth. Come on now, Mr Branimir. You’re incredibly cute, and I like how big you are, but I don’t play this game any more. The room is stuffed with rich people who don’t care if the ninety-nine below them disappear – maybe make that your story rather than me? We’re more than inspirational athletes and Tiny Tim.’

You’ve fucked this right up, Tom thought. If she didn’t like you before, she loathes you now.

Raina threw a glance back to her table. Pepper waved and pointed to the Cartier watch on her slender wrist.

‘I should go,’ she said peaceably. ‘It was nice to meet you, King of Cancel Culture. Sorry I’m not more of a royalist.’

She started to make her way towards Pepper, who was gathering their clutches and coat tickets, and Tom saw his wants slipping away. Both of them. Professional and personal. He wanted more of her. No one had ever seen him so clearly on a first meeting. No one had ever matched him with such ease and candour. Some men would find her dressing down a blow to their ego but he thought it hypnotic. He squeezed her hand. ‘Can I see you again?’

Stay with me. Play with me. Use that brilliant brain on me.

She turned to regard him aloofly. ‘Why? Right now, I can’t think of anything worse.’

‘Because I want to.’

‘If you really want to find me, it won’t be hard. The London neurodiversity scene is small.’

He stared in bewilderment as she freed her hand from his and moved purposefully away from the dancefloor.

‘And if you don’t know anyone in those circles,’ she called back to him, ‘I don’t think you’re ready to know me, Your Majesty.’

She gave a mocking little salute and was gone. Tom stood motionless for a moment while new music started up around him. It was a slap on the shoulder from Seb that jolted him back into reality.

‘Who was she?’ bristled Ottie, appearing on his other side.

No one. Everything. Her. ‘Raina Lewis. A podcast host.’

‘Oh, that’s Raina Lewis?’ Ottie said Raina’s name as if it were some newly named disease. ‘I didn’t expect someone so preachy to dress that slutty.’

Tom’s jaw hardened at Ottie’s choice of words. ‘Shut up, Ottie. That’s gross.’

She pouted and looked to her boyfriend, silently demanding that he join her in belittling Raina’s appearance and character.

‘There’s something weird about her, isn’t there?’ she pushed.

‘There’s nothing weird about her,’ Tom said quietly.

‘Autism or something,’ Ottie continued. ‘Do you think she can do that thing from that film?’

‘What film?’ Seb slurred, turning to scowl at his girlfriend.

‘The one with David Hoffman.’

‘Dustin Hoffman,’ Tom corrected, but they both ignored him.

‘The toothpicks,’ Ottie said, giggling. ‘Think she can count them?’