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“Don’t be. It’ll be okay. We’ll make it quick.”

KEANU

I know I messed up in the car. Why did I have to tell Leigh that I wanted to be friends with benefits? I’m a fucking idiot. And my attempt to backtrack? Utterly pathetic. Why didn’t I start with I want to be your boyfriend for real when this is all over?

I’m in such a daze, replaying the conversation in my head, that I forget I’m Leigh, uber-famous starlet, and people are turning their heads to look in our direction as we follow the hostess escorting us to my father’s table.

When he comes into view, I see his sour expression as he finishes his drink—the usual whiskey neat.

People say I look like my father, but they are dead wrong. I suppose they only mention that because it’s the expected thing. I get my coloring from my mother, but my facial features are my own. The only thing my father and have in common is our height. Although I’m taller than him by a few inches.

He notices our approach and quickly schools his expression to hide his contempt. I swear he only arranges these meetings when he’s feeling down. Treating me like shit always seems to cheer him up.

He stands up and smiles broadly. “Leigh Matthews. It’s been a while.”

I force a fake smile. “Hello, Mr. Santori.”

I know I should have added a good to see you, but it’s hard to pretend I’m Leigh right now, especially when he gives me a hug. I stiffen immediately, but mercifully, the hug is brief, and soon my father turns his attention to Leigh—aka me.

“Hello, Dad,” she says cheerfully.

Being nice to this asshole isn’t going to work, Leigh.

“Keanu,” he replies coldly, and the smile on Leigh’s face wilts. “You’re late.”

“Only by a couple of minutes.”

My father’s face turns red. He hates when I talk back.

“There was a bit of traffic,” I say, hoping to defuse the situation.

Leigh assists me to my chair, which is fucking odd. I never had anyone help me in that department. It’s a round table, so we’re both too close to the asshole.

“That’s no excuse. There’s always traffic in LA.”

I curl my hands into fists. It seems not even Leigh’s presence is working to make him act like a decent human being.

“Well, the important thing is that he came when he should have rested,” I say. “You know he was injured during last night’s game, right?”

My father frowns, glancing at Leigh in a scrutinizing way. “No, I didn’t know.”

“I’m okay. It isn’t that bad.”

“Well, I don’t take pity on you. You chose to play that barbaric sport.”

“Well, I had all this pent-up aggression. It’s good that it’s going somewhere that gives joy to millions of people,” she replies, looking unfazed. But I hear the challenge in her tone.

“And makes you loads of money,” I add with a smirk, then turn to my father. “How’s business going, Mr. Santori?”

His nostrils flare. He can’t quite hide that I hit a sore spot. Instead of answering, he signals the waiter to bring another drink.

I open my mouth to order one too, then remember I drove.

Fuck. This is going to be a long evening.

31 LEIGH

I’ve had my share of uncomfortable dinners, but this one takes the cake. Now that I’m in Keanu’s body, I can feel the hatred his father has for him. It oozes out of him in waves. I don’t understand what his problem is. I can’t imagine not loving my own child. How can this man be so vile? And how can Mia be blind to it? I have all the reasons in the world to loathe Mr. Santori, but I confess I’m annoyed with Mia too.