“Oh, hey, Reena. I didn’t know you were here.”

“I didn’t know anyone was ever here. What happened to this place? You’ve been decorating?”

Marley shrugged as she placed her glass on the table. “Shayne’s been decorating. He wants to start doing photo shoots here. And I like having an outdoor space.”

“What kind of photo shoots?”

Marley shrugged. “He’s got a ridiculous new idea to start a new Instagram and fashion blog. Want some tea? I picked up this super-smooth oolong. It’s fantastic iced.”

Reena smiled and nodded, and sat on the purple lawn chair. Marley went back upstairs to her apartment. Once she was back with a second glass of iced tea, Marley sat on the yellow chair. “I’m completely wiped.”

Reena looked at her cousin. Something in Marley’s expression told Reena that her cousin’s exhaustion was more than just because of a busy work schedule. “You know, Marl, I know I’ve been a little self-absorbed lately, but if you ever needed to talk, I’m here for you.”

Marley squeezed her lips together a moment, before smiling again. “Eh, everyone is dealing with their own shit. It’s such a nice afternoon, I’m glad to have someone to hang out with. Did you take a vacation day?”

Reena closed her eyes a moment and debated whether to lie. But … fuck it. Marley was her cousin, yes, but her friend, too, right?

Reena tried to paint on an unaffected smile. “Nah. Got laid off a couple of weeks ago.”

Marley tilted her head sympathetically. “Ah. I’d wondered. I heard about the Railside layoffs.”

Of course. Marley worked in fashion retail. Reena had frankly been a bit deluded when she thought she could keep this secret. Mum and Dad would probably find out soon.

“I’ll be okay. I’ll find something else,” Reena said. Her four-day pity party hadn’t completely zapped her optimism about finding a new job. Her fear was more what would happen to her between now and getting that job.

Marley nodded. “I can ask around to see if anyone I know is hiring.”

“Thanks. And …”

“Don’t tell anyone, right?”

“Yeah. Mainly my parents. I don’t want them to know.”

“Of course.” Marley glanced out over the tiny parking lot behind them, the sun highlighting her high cheekbones in perfect relief. She sighed. “You know, it’s kinda ridiculous. Our parents force us to be so secretive because we’ll never meet their expectations. And then they tell us to keep their secrets to save face. We’re all suppressing deep feelings and traumas, and no one can support each other like a family should.” She paused, scrunching her nose.

“This family is completely fueled by secrets.”

“Yup.” Marley sipped her iced tea. “Hey, when’s your FoodTV thing going live?”

“I don’t know for sure. Tomorrow, I think?”

“I saw Nadim in the store yesterday. I waved to him, but I was with a customer so couldn’t chat.”

“I haven’t seen him in a few days.”

“He was buying dress shirts, I think. Probably for those fancy meetings your dad keeps sending him on.”