“Bridal?” Reena asked.

“Yes. It’s designed to be worn with a wedding lehenga. Aren’t you here with a bridal party? I believe we pulled some lehengas in the bride’s size.”

Reena couldn’t be sure exactly what came over her at that moment, but it appeared her mouth had been disconnected from her logical brain.

But maybe this wasn’t the time for logic. Maybe it was time for Reena to take her own leap of faith. “Yes, but could you show me some in my size?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Considering her unemployment and her decision to change careers, Reena should not have spent over three hundred dollars on a turquoise and pink lehenga with matching costume jewelry, but she wasn’t in any state to second-guess anything right now. This unhinged plan of hers was risky, but the money spent would be worth it if it worked.

She managed to hide the outfit from her family, who were too preoccupied by the discussion of whether orange or red looked better on Saira to notice Reena trying it on. When they saw her wrapped garment bag, Reena told them it was for Amira, who had no Indian stores nearby and who’d asked her to pick something up for her.

After Saira dropped Reena and Marley off at their apartment building, Reena said goodbye to her cousin and went straight to her bedroom and hung the lehenga in her closet, lightly fingering the subtle embroidery in ethereal silver and gold threads. It was so beautiful. The kind of outfit memories were made in.

Finally, she took a deep cleansing breath and took off her jeans and socks. She dug around her summer clothes to find a long, Indian-print skirt and white T-shirt. She took her hair out of its ponytail and added a bit of antifrizz serum to make sure her curls looked their best. Finally, she dabbed a bit of fragrance to her neck. She carefully removed the silver anklets from the black velvet box and fastened them to her feet, clipping the rings to her second toes. She wished she had time for a pedicure but needed to do this now before she lost her nerve, and her chance.

She closed her eyes, said a silent prayer for strength, and retrieved a single item from her dresser before leaving her apartment barefoot.

Reena knocked on Nadim’s door, her heart pounding in her chest. She clutched the item in her hand, leaving it slippery from sweat on her palm. He left the door chain attached again when he opened and peeked out the four-inch gap in the door.

“Reena, it’s you. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. Perfect.”

“Then … I thought we agreed not to draw this out … say our goodbyes on Sunday.”

“I know. But I have something for you. Sit near the door, but don’t open the chain.”

“Okay …” Of course he was confused, but he did it anyway. She stepped in front of the opening in the door and could see him sitting cross-legged with a perplexed expression. “What are you up to?” he asked.