“Why?”

“Oh, it has a combination of both complex and simple carbohydrates, plus a time-released—”

“No, Saira. Why won’t you tell Mum and Dad?”

“Really? Give me some credit. You’re my sister. You obviously don’t want them to know, so I won’t say anything.”

Reena squinted at her sister, suspicious. “You told them when I snuck out of the house when I was dating Eddie.”

“That was a long time ago! I was a kid!”

“You were twenty-two. I was twenty-four.” Which was why Reena felt no guilt about sneaking out then. A curfew at that age? Ridiculous. The fight with Mum and Dad after Saira blabbered eventually led to Dad agreeing to rent one of the units in this building to her, so maybe Saira’s loose lips proved useful. That time.

This time, though? Reena couldn’t let them find out about her unemployment. Not now. The last thing she needed was pressure to work with Dad.

“This isn’t so I’ll share that eggplant recipe with you, is it?” Reena asked.

“Why are you so obsessed with eggplant?”

Reena snorted. “I’m just not used to you being nice to me.”

“I made you soup when you were sick, I came to run interference when Mum was being all … in-your-face like. I’m trying, here, Reena.” Saira frowned. “We have such an effed-up relationship. We should be more like sisters.”

Reena glared suspiciously again. They’d never had a close relationship, even as kids. Their personalities were too different. Not even complementary. Reena had been a shy child, and Saira’s anxious histrionics had always been too much.

Saira exhaled. “Are you still mad because of that blog thing?”

She shouldn’t be. It was months ago. Saira hadn’t meant that post against Reena specifically. And her sister had gone through such a hard time.

But it was a hard time for Reena then, too. And Reena had lost so much.

“Saira, why are you here?”

“Well first, to see how you’re doing. You looking for a new job?”

“Yes. I have two interviews this week. My employment counselor thinks I will find something quickly.”

“Oh, that’s good. They’re looking for a part-timer at Nourish, if you’re interested.” A job at Nourish would be torture for Reena. Surrounded by chia seeds, kombucha, and Saira all day? No.

“Anyway, let me know if you want me to put in a good word. The employee discount is really good,” Saira said.

“Sure. Will do.”

Saira smiled, seeming to be pleased with herself. “I also had some dirt to share. I know you hate gossip, but this might concern you. That guy, what’s his name … the one Mum wants you to marry. Nadir?”

“Nadim. What about him?”

“You going to marry him?”

“No! Of course not. I keep telling Mum to stop setting me up with men, but she won’t give—”

“So, there’s nothing going on between you?”

“No! We’re friends. Why?”

“At brunch he said a bunch of ass-kissing stuff about you. I think just to suck up to Dad, but just in case there’s more, I thought you should know.”