Nadim came to Toronto to marry the girl his father had chosen to make up for some big bad mistake he made. And despite the number of times Reena told him she would not marry him, he came on to her tonight. He kissed her, with a clear intention that he wanted to do much more. And she almost let him.

Was it really her he wanted? Or to placate his father? Or to please her father, the man he respected so much?

Reena bit her lip. “Do you really want me? I’ve told you I wouldn’t marry you, but it’s what both our fathers want. And now … I just told you about my job. I’m upset. Vulnerable. It’s a good time to soften me, right? What’s riding on our marriage anyway?”

“No! Reena, I—”

She put her hand up to stop him. “I have no way of knowing what you think of me. Honestly. No matter what you say or do, we’re tangled in our parents’ web, and our own actions can’t be separated from them. I don’t know what you promised your father, or what he will do if things don’t go the way he wants. And since I can’t know how you actually feel about me, all I can look at is my own track record.”

Reena stood. “I’ve been laid off three times.” She walked over to the kitchen and put her empty mug in the sink, carefully avoiding Nadim’s gaze. “I’ve had twelve boyfriends in the last fifteen years,” she continued. “Four were relationships that lasted over a year. Not one man said he loved me. The relationships didn’t end with a bang, they just kind of fizzled when the convenient sex and home-cooked meals lost their novelty. I’m the middle kid. My older brother, Khizar, is perfect. Kind, brilliant, successful. My little sister is brash and high-maintenance. I’m just there. Unmemorable. Weird hobbies and boring career. Easygoing, but not particularly good at anything.” She stood near her bedroom door. “I don’t know what deal our fathers made, but your father was definitely sold a lame horse.” She smiled sadly. “And despite that depressing pity party, I do have self-respect. Those twelve guys may not have been in it for the long haul, but at least they were into me for me. Not to impress their father or mine. They chose me. Good night, Nadim. The door locks automatically.”

She walked into her bedroom and closed the door. Had she been harsh there? Yeah, probably. She hadn’t even given the man a chance to defend himself. She knew what he’d say—that he cared for her. That she was a good friend when he needed it. That she could trust him.

But what good was trust really? It made no difference in the end—the people she trusted still left. Her brother, her best friend. Hell, even her job. And probably Nadim. She’d trusted him, and he’d only cared about obeying his father’s demands. She’d lost his friendship, if she ever really had it at all.