Page 33 of Reeling in Love

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll try my best.”

“The best is all we can do, right? So now that the mandatory work conversation is done, tell me, is it true about you and Nora?”

I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know if we’ll be continuing the ruse. “We’ll see how it goes.”

“Um. She’s a good girl. Don’t break her heart. Is she coming over next Saturday for dinner?”

“I don’t know. She might have some work. I guess I’ll be able to confirm later. It’s next week, not tomorrow.”

“Well, I’m happy for you. That’s what I wanted you to know. I never liked this arranged marriage idea.”

“What? What arranged marriage?” I almost shriek, then realize Nora is still sleeping, so I walk over to my room and lower my voice. “What do you mean?”

“Oops. Daphne didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what, Dad? Stop beating around the bush.”

“She kinda promised to Monsieur Martin, Sophia’s father, that you would marry Sophia.”

I don’t even know how to react to this. There are a few moments of complete silence as I try to understand what the words mean.

“Are you kidding me?”

“I wish.”

“Why didn’t I know about this?”

“It was done long ago. Even I got to know about it only recently. But you have an excellent case of not agreeing to it now. Y’know with Nora and you being a thing. With that other lady, Paula, your mom had problems, but I don’t think she can come up with any reasonable issues with Nora.”

“Um. Yeah.” The only problem is that there is no Nora and me. How did I get such a messed up family? Who sets up their son’s marriage years in advance? “Why did Mom do this?”

“Long story. Will tell you when we meet. Don’t tell Daphne I told you. Okay? She’s back from her run. I better go. See you next week, son.”

He disconnects the phone and I slump down on the bed, my head buried in my hands, wondering how my life, both personal and professional, has become such a chaotic mess.

I’m still in this state of self-pity and loathing when I feel a soft touch on my shoulder. I start as if I touched a live wire. Tingles run down my spine. I look up and see Nora beaming down at me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Her hair is still a mess of strands around her face, her eyes, though still drowsy, reveal a depth and warmth that only a good friend can show. She has no makeup on, but to me, she is prettier than ever, more beautiful than any other woman on the planet.

“What happened? Is everything okay?” she asks.

I shake my head. Even if I try, I can’t hide anything from her. “That was Dad on the phone. Apparently, Mom has arranged for me to marry Sophia some years ago.”

“What?” her eyes become like big round peaches, the drowsiness completely disappearing from them. “Who does that? Is this for real?”

“I know, right? That’s what Dad said. Of course, he thinks, since we’re together, as per what you so kindly told them, Mom might have to back off.”

She takes a seat beside me, deep in thought. Is she having second thoughts about the fake girlfriend thing? “Hey, I totally get it if you don’t want to go ahead with the whole fake-dating thing. I’ll handle Mom and Sophia.”

She nods. “We don’t have to decide anything right now. Let’s think about it and see.”

“They expect you to come over for dinner next week and I need to tell Mom. You know how she is, right? She’ll have the dishes planned accordingly, and the seating done as per the list, etcetera etcetera.”

“Um. Look, I’ve already said what I did. And if it helps you get out of a mess, so be it. Let’s roll with it. Carla has been asking me to come home and meet her and Mom. So I’ll do that as well once we go there. Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

Really? Wow!

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