“So, Clare, how did you and your friend Lukas meet? I thought you didn’t interact with anyone with magic, much less anyone with any decent abilities.” Aunt Daisy starts in right away. Her tone is deceptively casual, but the subtle barb beneath her words is impossible to miss. I get the distinct feeling she thinks she’s being charming. After all, she’s asking about my life, isn’t she? But she still manages to highlight her disapproval of my choices.
“We met at work.” I answer shortly, keeping my tone neutral. Normally, I’d try to keep the conversation going, but today? I’m not in the mood to engage.
“At work? Are you some computer repair person too, Lukas?” My dad jumps in. And there it is, his own unique brand of disapproval, as if fixing computers isn’t a perfectly respectable job.
“No, we work in different departments. I’m no good with technology.” Lukas replies smoothly, his tone polite but firm.
“That’s actually how we met. I screwed up and had to call Clare in to fix my stupid mistakes.” He explains.
“And you gratefully accepted her help and decided to befriend your savior?” Julian teases, grinning. Unlike the others, his tone is light, almost playful. It’s a welcome reprieve from the constant undercurrent of judgment in the room. Actually, my brother is a lot nicer than I remember him being, more outgoing too. I guess moving out of my parent’s place has done him some good. Lukas laughs in response, leaning back in his chair.
“Far from it. I was an ungrateful ass, and I acted like it.” He admits, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a self deprecating smile. Then, to my complete surprise, he reaches out and takes my hand. His fingers are warm and steady, and the smile he directs at me is affectionate. I guess he’s a lot better at this fake couple thing than I am. I’m so uncomfortable I just barely manage to remember to smile at him.
“Clare put me in my place so thoroughly I had no choice but to apologise and agree with everything she said. THEN I decided I needed to get to know the woman capable of rendering me speechless so easily.” Lukas says, his voice full of humor. He grins at Julian, and my brother actually laughs out loud. The rest of the table follows suit, chuckling politely. Well, most of them. Aunt Daisy’s smile is a little too tight, and my mother looks mildly surprised, as though she hadn’t expected Lukas to be quite so… Likable. Or maybe because she didn’t expect that he would be interested in me first, even in a fake relationship. I’m pretty sure she thinks that I’ve somehow befuddled him into spending time with me. She excuses herself to the kitchen. I sit there, slightly stunned by it all. Lukas’s story is technically true, except for the part about him deciding on the spot that he wanted to get to know me, and obviously there’s a lot of other stuff that’s happened recently that’s sort of forced us to get to know each other. But the way he’s telling the story of our first meeting? The way he’s effortlessly deflecting my family’s judgment while simultaneously making me look good? I wasn’t expecting that.
My mother reappears just in time, carrying platters of food, saving me from having to respond to the next inevitable round of questions right away. Normally, I’d be excited about the food, it smells amazing, but my nerves have twisted my stomach into knots and I think I’ll be sick if I eat more than a couple bites.
*I appreciate you trying to talk me up, but I seriously doubt it’s going to help.* I comment silently to Lukas since he still has a hold of my hand. Lukas glances at me, the corners of his mouth twitching upward slightly, and he squeezes my hand lightly in response. I repress a sigh and look around the table. The atmosphere here feels off. Everyone at this table is acting weird, too weird. Except Julian, and maybe Uncle Lance. He’s just sitting there, quietly observing like always. But my mother, my father, Aunt Daisy? No way they’ve all just magically decided to be warm and welcoming. Not that they’re being particularly nice, but by their usual standards they’re being downright cuddly. It’s impossible. There’s something else going on here, and the longer I sit at this table, the more certain I am that I don’t want to find out what it is. Sadly, we don’t always get what we want.
My mum gives us about forty seconds after the food is served before she starts her own interrogation. Proving once again that she is the least subtle person ever.
“So, Lukas, Clare said you were staying with her for a few days. Is there a reason why?” She asks, her tone so casual it’s suspicious. Yep, there it is, classic Mum, prying under the guise of polite conversation. I groan audibly this time, unable to hold it back, but Lukas remains unruffled. He offers her a polite smile, as if he doesn’t notice the landmine she’s just dropped into his lap.
“Well, I’ve been having some plumbing issues at my place, but mostly it’s just a good excuse to spend a bit of extra time with Clare.” He says, his thumb rubbing the back of my hand.
*Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?* I send the thought his way, giving him a mental nudge. He doesn’t flinch, his smile unwavering as he keeps his attention on my mother. It’s infuriating how much she likes him. I should definitely be offended that she thinks more of him than she does of me.
“Oh! Are you two a couple?” Mum asks with the sort of wide eyed innocence that makes it obvious she’s been leading the conversation to this point all along. Her face has lit up like she’s won the lottery. Lukas chuckles softly.
“Well, I’m not sure if we’ve labeled it yet exactly, but we have been seeing each other.” He replies. His tone is just vague enough to sound natural but definitive enough to suggest that, yes, we’re absolutely together, or at least headed in that direction. I keep waiting for someone to call us out, for my mother or Aunt Daisy or someone to say, ‘Hang on a minute,’ but no one does. As Lukas predicted, everyone seems to be buying it. My mother, in particular, looks thrilled. She’s practically glowing with excitement, her gaze darting between Lukas and me as if she’s imagining what our future children might look like. Well that’s not awkward at all.
*This is useless. What are we supposed to learn like this? It’s a total waste of time.* I complain to Lukas, my frustration bubbling over. I feel like we’re playing into their hands, entertaining their idea of this fake relationship, while they keep whatever secrets they’re hiding safely out of reach. I feel like a performing monkey in heels. Lukas doesn’t respond immediately, not with words, anyway. Instead, he shifts his chair closer to mine, his arm snaking around my waist. He pulls me gently against his side, tipping me slightly so that my shoulder presses against his chest. I freeze, my mind racing.
*Seriously?* I send sharply, resisting the desire to glare at him. He just smiles, the picture of calm, and hugs me a little tighter.
“It’s nice to have someone who understands the kind of craziness we’ve both been dealing with lately. At work I mean. Clare’s been an amazing support.” He continues. My mother’s expression softens, her focus entirely on him now. She doesn’t even glance my way, clearly captivated by Lukas’s act, or maybe she’s just that relieved that someone like him is allegedly interested in me. My aunt isn’t the only one who wants a mind reader in the family.
*I hope you have a plan.* I think bitterly, refusing to move or react to his closeness.
*Because right now, this entire trip feels like a complete waste of time.* I probably should cut him some slack. He’s basically carrying both of us through this entire meal. Lukas doesn’t respond directly, probably because he can’t. But his fingers brush lightly against my side, a subtle gesture of reassurance. Whether it’s meant to soothe me or simply maintain the act for the others, I can’t tell. Either way, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m playing along in a game where I don’t know the rules, and I have no idea how to win.