Saira shrugged. “You. He has you to lose. I think he’ll talk.”
***
Saira left soon after, letting Reena keep the rest of the frozen yogurt, and promising to check in soon. And Reena was alone again. She’s already cried more in the last few days than she had in years. And she was pretty much done with the Bollywood watch list. Reena stood in her living room, more restless than she could ever remember feeling.
After those revelations, what Reena needed was a drink. Actually,several drinks. She couldn’t believe that she hadn’t had a sip of alcohol since she’d found out about Nadim’s secret fiancé. Her abstinence was noble, but was it necessary? One drink wouldn’t really destroy her. At least not like she assumed it would. She eyed the collection of bottles stacked on her dining room sideboard. There was no need to be a martyr to her own guilt.
She placed her hand on the bottle, mouth watering in anticipation of the burn that would numb this, when she stilled. Sliding her hand down the smooth glass, she rested it on the bottle for about three seconds when she heard a thump outside her door.
Nadim was home.
Without taking a second to think, she rushed out her front door in three long strides.
He was in his regular work clothes and carrying a stack of cardboard. His shoulders fell the second he saw her. “Reena.”
Seeing that face again felt like a blow to her chest. She had been in love with that face. She didn’t know what to say. After staring for several agonizing seconds, she went with that. “I have no idea what to say to you.”
He sighed, dropping the cardboard heavily to the floor. “Then don’t say anything. There is nothing you can say that’s worse than what your father said to me yesterday. Or my own father.”
“So, it’s true then?”
“What’s true?”
“You’re engaged to that woman?” She couldn’t say her name. She was frankly amazed she could say anything at all.
“I was. But not anymore. Not for a while.”
“I saw a Facebook post that said otherwise.”
“I know.”
“From her father. And Jasmine said it on Instagram.”
He exhaled deeply. “I know that, too. But we’re not engaged.”
“Who, me and you? Or you and her?”
He sighed. Reena watched his face. Dark puffy eyes. Crease between the brows. Corners of his lips down turned. He looked miserable.
Good.
“You’ve been lying to me for weeks,” Reena said. “You told me you’d always wanted to work in real-estate development, when apparently you already had. Hell, you even told me that Egypt was on your bucket list, when apparently you were there looking at properties for a new development!”
“I said the Pyramids were on my bucket list. I never got to see them when I was there.”
“Jesus Christ, you’re going with loopholes and caveats now? When we were getting to know each other you never once mentioned a fiancée. Ex, or otherwise.”
Eyes cast downward, he answered, “I’m sorry.”
“Why would Salim Shah post that he was looking forward to your wedding if you’re not getting married?” Fuck. Her voice cracked. She couldn’t hide her pain.
“I don’t know why he said that.” He barely looked at her.
“What was the point of this?” She gestured between them. “Were you here to run business intrigue for Salim Shah? Cozy up to Aziz Manji’s daughter to get his trade secrets?”
“Reena, no. This wasn’t fake. I—”
She put her hands up to stop him. “Did you forget about the ring? Itwasfake. Pretending to be engaged for the contest. Pretending not to be together to our parents. None of it was real, and I hate myself for thinking it was.” Her voice cracked again.
