“I’d love to.” She smiled and placed delicate fingertips on my arm.

Our parents grinned conspiratorial smiles as we strolled away. No doubt they’d already picked a wedding date. I waited until we were out of modified earshot to speak. “How upset would your family be if I mentioned that you play in a band?”

“Very.” Layla tensed, and her expression and tone shifted from vapid politeness to shrewd consideration. “Not that you should know.”

I shrugged. “I won’t say a thing as long as you don’t press an engagement.”

“Thank God.” Layla shuddered. “Our mothers schemed this one. I thought you were in on it.”

I grinned. I didn’t often stumble onto others faking their way through Helix life, but every so often an ally dropped in my lap. “Should we small talk for a few minutes and then pretend to offend each other?”

Layla pressed her lips together, eying me up and down. “If you’re up to it, I have a better suggestion.”

“Oh?” I handed her a drink taken from a passing tray. Our parents still watched from across the room.

“Let’s meet for coffee. We could draw this out for months.”

“A faux courtship?” It had promise, although there were certainly risks.

“You’re the first guy they’ve set me up with who’s not a self-centered ass.” Layla’s mischievous smile made her eyes sparkle. “My girlfriend would love you.”

Her voice was clear of subterfuge and I found myself smiling back. “Next week? I’m sure our parents already exchanged our contact information.” And faking a relationship would save me getting blindsided at every event.

“Call me.” She finger-waved and then headed for a crowd of friends, who proceeded to glance my way, slipping a few quickly smothered cackles. I nodded before heading off to work the crowd.

Despite my parents’ efforts, the night was going better than expected.

I’d just finished trading pleasantries with a senator when Mother cornered me next to a buffet table. “Well?”

I suppressed the urge to shake her. “We’ve agreed to meet next week.”

“Excellent.” She gave a smug smile. “A match with one of the Astor girls will be the best thing for cementing your position. You’ll be elevated to Seligo before the year is out.”

“Oh?” Irritation pricked the back of my neck and for once, I didn’t bother stoppering it. “I could pick one of her sisters instead?” The woman made getting married sound like choosing pastries at the market.

“Choose anyone you wish.” Mother’s black eyes glinted at the tone in my voice. My mistake, but I’d gotten one too many doses of her toxic logic this evening. “Only choose soon. Your aging reflects poorly on the family.”

Nothing to reflect poorly like a natural human process. All things human and natural were poison the Seligo.