Figured. That irresistible charm even worked on chickens.

He kissed Reena’s cheek. “And thanks for being such a good sport, even more beautiful.”

And Reena cooed probably more than the damn chicken.

No one was pecked or injured in the cooking segment, much to Reena’s relief. Nadim diced the onions, then peeled the potatoes and hard-boiled eggs while Reena explained to the camera the origins of the egg curry they were preparing.

She then dry roasted and pounded the spices, while Nadim talked about spice farms in Zanzibar, and his grandmother’s home there.

“I’ve always wanted to go,” Reena said.

“I’d love to take you. The sunsets are incredible. The markets in old town are so charming, and the spice farms! You’d be in heaven. That’s it, honeymoon decided. What do you say?” He winked at her.

Reena didn’t know if the wink was a reminder to her that this was all fake. If it was, she didn’t need it. Nothing that felt this good could really happen to her.

“That would be perfect,” she said. “Here, taste.” Tearing off a small piece of flaky paratha, she used it to break open the egg and scoop a bite with a little egg, potato, tomato, and fed it into Nadim’s willing mouth. He smiled as the flavors hit his tongue.

“Well,” she said, bumping her hip on his thigh, “how did I do? Does it taste like your grandmother’s back home?”

“No,” he said, grinning. “Better. It tastes like my new home.” He looked to the camera and hammed it up a bit more. “Local ingredients married perfectly with my beloved African spices. Maybe home is not just one place, but a moving target. Home is where I’m welcomed. And right now, I’ve never felt more welcomed than right here.” He planted a quick kiss on Reena’s lips, before turning to face the camera again. “Thank you!”

Reena waved at the camera as she rested her head on Nadim’s arm. “Bye!”

“Cut!” Shayne said.

A few hours later, Reena sat alone on the bed in the guest room at Amira and Duncan’s house. She’d escaped supposedly to change into a more comfortable shirt, but she couldn’t muster up enough energy to lift her arms over her head. Amira, Duncan, Nadim, Marley, and Shayne were all downstairs, crowding around Shayne’s laptop, watching him do his editing magic with the footage from the farm. The bits Reena saw before she had to leave the room were amazing. Perfect. The food looked divine, the scenery breathtaking, and even Agatha the chicken attacking her was charming. Reena and Nadim looked so happy and so in sync with each other. Aspirational. Everyone would want to be the couple on the screen.

And it disturbed her that she desperately wanted to be them, too.

“Hey. Ree. You okay?” Amira stood in the doorway.

“Yeah.” Reena ran her fingers over her hair. “I’m fine.”

Amira smiled gently and came into the room. She sat on the bed with Reena.