Page 34 of Paint Eater
Nisha turned her nose up. “It’s calledlove, Jay.”
“Sure,” Jay laughed. He looked at Logan, who seemed about to leave. “What, I don’t get a kiss?”
Logan, to Jay’s appreciation, flushed darkly.
Nisha laughed. “Oh, yes, it’s only fair, Logan.”
“Fuck off, both of you,” Logan said and left the ice cream shop.
“He’s so delightful.” Nisha faked a dreamy sigh.
Jay laughed. “It’s like you’re related.”
“We practically are, really. Pretty sure our parents want us to marry.”
Jay choked on his spit.
“Oh, I know about you two. Don’t worry, I’m not stealing your man.”
“He’s not my man,” Jay managed after a few coughs.
“Mm-hm.”
“Isn’t that a little old-fashioned? Like…thinking your kid is gonna marry a specific person they’ve been brought up with? Or, shit, sorry. Is it cultural?”
Nisha rolled her eyes. “No, it’s notcultural. I mean arranged marriages are totally still a thing in Indian families, but that’s not what this is.”
“Oh, okay. Then…what is it?”
Nisha sighed. “Logan’s parents…they’re ambitious people. His mom especially. They want what’s best for him, and that’s someone from a rich family. This has nothing to do with culture and all to do with power. Money, status—all that shit.”
“Damn.” Jay stared sightlessly out the window. “That sucks.”
“Yeah, well. Family is family.”
Jay nodded, even though his experience with family couldn’t be more different.
“Anyway,” Nisha said. “Talking about family. I have this party I have to go to—not, like, a house party. It’s a charity function, dinner party thing, and I’m going todieof boredom if I take one of the people my mom has lined up, and I can’t take Logan because it’ll just encourage our parents. So…I was thinking you could come with me.”
“Me? To a fancy dinner? Are you kidding?”
“Yes, you. What’s wrong? It’ll be fun.”
“You literally just said you were going to die of boredom.”
“Yes,withoutyou, I’ll die.Withyou, it’ll be fun.”
Jay shook his head. “No offence, Nisha, but we don’t really know each other that well? This seems like a really weird ask. Not that I’m against going with you or nothin’ but…seriously, why?”
Nisha sighed. “Look. Honestly, all my other friends are from that world. Logan is the only one who doesn’t act like he was born with a silver spoon stuck up his ass, but, like I said, I can’t take him. So. You’re the only one that won’t make this completely tedious. Also, Loganwillbe there, you know. We just won’t be seated with him during dinner.”
Jay perked up. “Oh, Logan will be there?”
Nisha smirked. “In a suit.”
“Oh shit, a suit…I don’t have one of those, man. Maybe I can ask Logan what to wear, or—”
“Oh, no, I’ll buy you a suit. Youcannotbe trusted to dress yourself. And let’s not tell Logan you’re coming. It’ll be a surprise.”
