“No. I am still very impressed with him. I told Shiroz that yesterday. He doesn’t have a lot of faith in his son. It’s a shame, really. Nadim is a remarkable worker.” He took a sip of his coffee, then smiled warmly at Reena. “I hope I never underappreciate my children.”

Part of Reena wanted to say that the first step in appreciating his children would be to take a real interest in their lives, but he was only doing what he knew. His father, and the men in his life, had modeled only unconditional filial piety. They probably spent even less time with their children. Why did she expect more? And besides, she should be more sympathetic. All this was because he had been swindled. Cheated by a business associate he trusted.

She took out a box of cookies that he loved but Saira wouldn’t allow in the house and put some on a plate.

“Here’s the truth, Dad. Yes, Nadim and I have become close friends. And yes, I told him I would not marry him. He told me a bit about his troubled past, but really, it’s nothing unexpected, considering he lost his mother at a young age and his father doesn’t appreciate him. As far as I know, he has no close friends outside of his coworkers, and me and Marley in the building. And I will not attempt to extract any more information out of my friend. I trust him, and you should, too.”

Everything she had said was true. It just wasn’t all the truths.

But it seemed to satisfy Dad. “He’s lucky to have you.” Dad smiled. “Now, how is work going? Did you ask for a promotion like we discussed?”

Reena groaned internally as she seamlessly transitioned into telling lies instead of truths.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It took Reena about fifteen minutes to regret calling Amira Monday morning after Nadim left for work, as it felt a little early in the day for an interrogation by her best friend. She should have known better—Amira’s reaction to Reena’s relationship upgrade wasn’t exactly unexpected. “So, you don’t return my calls for two days and only send cryptic texts, and now you tell me you’re sleeping with Nadim?”

“Dating.”

“So, you’re not sleeping with him?” Amira asked. She was on her speakerphone in the car and was very loud.

“No, I am sleeping with him, but we’re dating. We’re exclusive.”

“You’re dating the guy you’re pretending to be engaged to for a cooking contest and who your parents want you to marry?”

“Yes. But our parents don’t know,” Reena explained. It made sense to her.

“And, you haven’t told them so they won’t buy jalebi and saris.” Amira paused. “Actually, not telling your parents is probably the only intelligent thing you’ve told me today.”

“Amira, really? Did I judge when you forgave Duncan despite all the crap with his family?”

“Yes, you did judge, Ree.” Amira’s voice rose. “That’s what we do. We advocate for the devil with each other. It’s our shtick. It has been for over—”