Cara smiles. “You have the shoulders for it.”
After Sarina pays for her purchases, she gives me a big hug and thanks Cara again profusely before leaving the store. I watch her go, still a bit confused.
“That was weird,” I say.
“What? She looked great in that halter dress. Did you see it on her?”
“No, I mean it’s weird that she came in. And she was so nice.” I wonder if Noureen sent her to spy on me.
“She seems really sweet,” Cara says. “She’s very easy to talk to. Why don’t you ever hang out with her?”
I start putting the pants that my customer didn’t buyback on hangers. “Honestly, we’re not really friends. We never socialize without our parents.”
“Maybe she came here because she wants to change that.” Cara suddenly smiles huge. “You know what I just realized? Sarina would be perfect for Miles.”
I take a step back. “Seriously? Are you kidding?”
Cara nods vigorously. “Yesseriously. She’s so nice!”
I exhale. Why does everyone think Sarina isperfect? “I don’t even know if she’s single.”
“She is. She mentioned it to me. She’s smart, too. And you know enough about her to know that she’s not obsessed with rodents, and she probably won’t throw a fish at Miles. Come on, don’t you think she’s totally the type to inspire love ballads? She’s stunning.”
Cara is right that Sarina is pretty. Plus, Miles mentioned how much he admired that violin player at his school, and Sarina plays the cello. They’d both mentioned to me how damaging the clothing industry is and said we should be buying secondhand. Honestly, on paper, Sarinaisperfect for Miles. They have a lot in common.
But I don’t know. I logically know that Sarina isn’t her mother, but still. Setting up Sarina with Miles would mean me spending time with her. Which I know would make her mother happy, and I don’t really like doing things that could make Noureen happy. Also? My self-esteem is usually fine, but spending time with my perfect stepsister could seriously test that.
Of course, the other issue with setting Miles up with my stepsister—actually, with setting him up with anyone at all—is that I unintentionally developed a little crush on the guy despite him frustrating me more than almost anyoneelse I know. But that might be the best reason to try Sarina for Miles’s next setup. Because I imagine the best way to turn me off someone is to connect them to my stepmother and stepsister.
I sigh. “Sure. Why not. I’ll call her tomorrow.”
CHAPTER TWELVETHE CHERRY BLOSSOM CALAMITY
The next day, after thinking of another perfect date spot for a committee meeting, I open a text to my stepsister. I decide not to tell her that this outing is a setup, because she may be less inclined to come if she knew. Her mother doesn’t have a lot of faith in any of my abilities, and I don’t know if Sarina feels the same.
Sana: Hey Sarina, great to see you yesterday!
Sarina: Hi Sana! Yes! I love your store.
Sana: Question—A bunch of us are going to High Park on Sunday afternoon to see the cherry blossoms, and Cara said I should invite you. My friend Miles is coming too. He’s great—you’ll like him. It will be the last weekend for the cherry blossoms.
Sarina: That sounds amazing! Absolutely I’ll come. What time?
I give her the time and a meeting place near the park and say I’m looking forward to seeing her again.There. Now I just have to convince Miles to come. On my way to work at Cosmic that evening, I take one of the bags of chocolate-covered gingerbread to Miles at the bookstore.
“What’s this?” he asks after I hand him the blue bagof cookies. He’s at the counter with his laptop in front of him again.
“Chocolate-covered gingerbread. I saw them at Kozlaks’ and thought of you.”
He inspects the picture on the bag. “They’re heart shaped.”
I try not to laugh at that. He’s really, like,allergicto any romantic imagery. “That’s not why I’m giving them to you. They’re great cookies. Try one.”
He opens the bag and takes a bite of one of the little gingerbread hearts. I can see his mood change as he chews. His brows unfurrow, and I swear his eyes almost roll back in his head.
I grin. “Good, right?” I’d been planning to keep the extra bag of cookies that Mrs. Kozlak gave me for myself, but now I think I need to keep them for Miles for when I need to soften him.
He smiles wide. “They’re just like the ones my mom used to buy. Thanks.”
