Page 64 of The Switch: A Friends To Lovers Romance

Mrs. Zhang’s expression crumpled. “What?”

“You asked how we would hold up our heads. I’m assuring you our necks will function just fine no matter who Luke marries.”

“But—”

“Exactly what are your objections to their relationship?” Yeye swept his hand out toward them. “I’ve spent a small amount of time in their company and I can see that their love is real. Luke adores that young woman and Ashanti, in turn, cares for him deeply.”

Ashanti glanced at Luke, but he avoided her eyes and stared at his slippers.

Now that she knew Yeye a little better, she felt guilty for deceiving him.

The truth dangled on the tip of her tongue, but she forced herself to keep it locked up. Confessing to the ruse now would only hurt Yeye and Nai Nai and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Nai Nai placed a hand on Mrs. Zhang’s shoulder and spoke in a soft, but firm tone. “It’s time to stop terrorizing these children and let them live their own lives. There’s so much ugliness in the world. Let’s not add to it.”

“But…”

“Couldn’t have said it better,” Yeye said, nodding at his wife.

One by one, the Zhangs filed out of the room. Mrs. Zhang was carried away in the current and, when they were all gone, Luke closed the door.

The silence that descended felt out of place after the boisterous laughter and conversation that had filled the room only seconds before.

Ashanti collapsed into the couch and stared at the ceiling. A moment later, she felt the sofa jolt. Luke had joined her.

“Well…” she mumbled, “that was weird.”

“Which part? When Yeye got wrapped around your little finger? When my grandmother joined him? Or when my mother got totaled by them?”

“All of it?” She turned on her side and let her gaze run freely over his profile. Luke was so calm and quiet that he often faded into the background wherever he went, but he had never been invisible to her.

To be honest, Ashanti sometimes thought that Luke could be a prince. He had fine, delicate facial features and a long, lean body. With his hair brushed over his forehead, he looked like a royal in hiding.

“What?” Luke whispered.

“What what?”

He swiveled suddenly, his eyes piercing hers. “I can feel you staring. What’s running through that big head of yours?”

“My head’s not big.”

“It’s a miracle you even fit that thing through the door.”

Ashanti scooted toward him and punched him in the arm. “Shut up.”

Luke laughed. “You had fun tonight?”

“More than I expected. Your grandparents are so cute and charming. Why didn’t you tell me I didn’t have to be afraid of them?”

“I tried, but you always got stuck at the ‘patriarch of the family’ part and painted your own picture.”

Ashanti stared at the ceiling. The wooden fan spun, bouncing lightly as it moved. “Your grandmother invited me to go to the market with her.”

“That’s great.”

“No, Luke.” Ashanti sat up. “It’s not.”

He scrambled toward her. “Hey, what’s with that expression? Tonight was a major win. My parents won’t be able to say anything now that Yeye’s given his approval.”

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