Butthis…For the first time there was something she could do that Samir hadn’t managed to yet. By getting engaged, she could finally make her parents happy. What would it be like to see them actually be pleased with her choices instead of disappointed?
She let herself imagine it before her daydream came grinding to a sudden halt. What had she been thinking? She wouldn’tactuallybe making them proud. None of it would be real. It’d all be a lie. And when the fake engagement ended, or even worse, if they found out the truth, they’d be just as disappointed in her as they’d always been.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Look, I know it’s a lot. But all I’m asking is that you consider it. And not just as a favor to me. I’m willing to be flexible. To make sure you get whatever it is you want. Or need. Please. Just think about it for a little longer,” he pleaded.
In the very short amount of time she’d known Karthik, this was the most emotion he had shown. He sounded desperate. Despite her better judgment, she started to think about it. Could she have any use for a fake fiancé? She was pulling up her web browser, about to search for any advice articles on pretend engagements, when the last item she had been reading snagged her attention. The sample best man speech.
Itwouldbe nice if she didn’t have to go to Seth’s wedding alone. Even nicer if she could bring a “fiancé” with her.
“I do need a plus-one for a wedding,” she said slowly.
“Done. Absolutely. What else?”
Meghna paused. She hadn’t expected Karthik to agree that quickly. Without asking any questions at all. It made her stop and think about whether she should be asking any questions of her own.
“Why can’t we just say we’re dating?” she asked a moment later. “Isn’t that what people normally do now?” She didn’t think anyone got engaged right after these arranged meetings anymore. At least, Ankita and Rishi had dated for a while before he’d proposed. Meghna had assumed that was the norm.
Karthik opened his mouth, then closed it. He was quiet for a moment, then shook his head.
“That won’t work for me. It needs to be an engagement.”
“Why?”
“It just does,” he said with a stubborn lift of his chin.
She shook her head. “I don’t think my parents are going to buy that I’m getting engaged to someone I just met.” Not to mention she wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about lying to them about something this serious.
“Tell them we’re doing a long engagement. Really long. Just say that my family is more traditional but that we’ll basically be dating and getting to know each other while we plan the wedding.”
“Is that why we can’t just date? Because of your family?”
He blinked, then nodded. “Yes. Because of my family.”
Meghna sighed. The whole thing seemed incredibly messy.
“Is there anything else you’d want? Anything else I could do? Something I could help you with?” Karthik asked, seeming to sense the hesitancy on her end.
She thought it over for a second. “Just the wedding, really. Well, I’m part of the wedding party, so there may be some other events you’d have to go to.”
“Not a problem,” he said. He waited a beat. “So, you’re saying yes?”
She paused as she imagined showing up to Seth’s wedding with this incredibly handsome man on her arm. Introducing him toeveryone as her fiancé. Introducing him to Seth. The thought of going to this wedding alonehadbeen killing her, and bringing afiancéwas a lot better than bringing some random plus-one. It would communicate that she was completely over Seth. That she had someone who loved her. Who wanted to marry her. Even if Seth didn’t.
Plus, Karthik would be in New York the whole time so it wasn’t like they’d really get in each other’s way. They wouldn’t have to keep up appearances constantly.
“How long would we be doing this for?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, we’re not going to actually get married, right? So, I’m thinking we need an end date.”
“Right,” he said slowly. “That makes sense.” He took a deep breath. “Well, the deal with my mother was for a year, so…”
Yeah, no.“I’m not doing this for a year.” She chewed her lip as she thought it over. “Three months,” she said. “Until my friend’s wedding. Then we’re done.”
“That’s not enough time. My mom will just restart the meetings and I’ll be back to square one.”
