Page 59 of Don't Date Your Nemesis

I know I did. I was wearing a lehenga in midnight blue with silver embroidery that caught the light. It brought out my olive skin tone, making me feel beautiful and like an Indian princess.

“Thanks,” I said, turning back to the sweets.

“So you’re really dating Liam? That swimmer?” I felt him move closer. “I thought you learned that athletes were beneath you. You always said you wanted someone in the industry.”

My spine went rigid. “That swimmer is an Olympic gold medalist and my fiancé. And I've learned—no, realized that you were beneath me.”

His expression darkened as he stepped closer, invading my space. “Come on. We both know this thing with Liam is for show. You’re not over me.”

“I am completely over you, and I don’t have to prove myself to⁠—”

“Then why are you shaking?”

He was too close. Close enough that I could smell his cologne, the same one he used to wear when we were together, the same one that used to make me feel safe and now just made me nauseous.

I was frozen. Cornered between him and the counter. I could throw the gulab jamun at him, but that would ruin Kiara’s beautiful kitchen tiles.

“Yogin, right?”

Liam appeared in the doorway, moving with fluid grace and appearing beside me. His arm slid around my waist, warm and solid.

And safe.

“It’s Yash!” He snapped making my lips curl.

Liam’s smile was wide and friendly, but his eyes were ice. “I’ve heard so many terrible things about you.”

God, he looked good in that kurta. It made his shoulders look impossibly broad, and was he always that tall?

I had heard the aunties gossiping earlier. “Can you believe Deepika bagged such a handsome American? And he’s an Olympic athlete!”

I wanted to tell them our relationship was fake, but looking at him now, I wasn’t sure what was real anymore.

Yash tried to maintain dominance, puffing out his chest. “Whatever. You should keep this one in check. She almost⁠—”

“I’d watch my mouth if I were you.” Liam pulled me closer, his hand spanning my waist. “I don’t want my lovely fiancée to see how good my uppercut is. Right, sweetheart?”

I rolled my eyes internally, but leaned into him, smiling. For the first time all morning, I felt at ease.

Yash’s expression turned snide. “You know, Deepika’s last film didn’t do so well. I’m worried about her career trajectory.”

Liam’s jaw clenched. I felt the tension of his body against mine.

“Funny,” he said, his voice still pleasant. “I’m worried about your character trajectory. Takes a special kind of man to cheat on his girlfriend with her twin sister.”

“That’s—”

“What I love about Deepika?” Liam continued, not letting him finish. “She doesn’t need anyone’s validation. She’s talented as hell. Which is probably why you tried so hard to dim her light. Insecure men always do that.”

Love? No. Of course not. Ha! He is such an excellent actor. Even better than the guy standing in front of me.

Yash looked furious as he glared at both of us and left.

Liam’s arm was still around my waist, and I was still pressed against his side, my hand resting on his chest, feeling his heartbeat through the thin cotton of the kurta.

We pulled back slightly.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said quietly.