“What, what?”
“What are you trying not to tell me?” I ask Cara. “Don’t tell me you knew about this internship too—”
“No,” Cara interrupts. “I promise, I had no idea about it. And I don’t know if Sarina knew. It’s just… Idoknow Sarina’s secret. It’s not about your dad or real estate or anything like that.”
So Cara has been keeping something from me too? Cara…my friend. I put down my empanada. “Not you, too. Everyone I care about—my mother, Miles, my father, hell, even Jenn has been keeping stuff from me. Clearly no one actually trusts—”
“Stop, Sana. I…” Cara exhales, then looks at me. “Milesdidset Sarina up with someone. Me. Sarina and I are…dating.”
I blink, looking at Cara. Did I hear that right? “I must be hearing things because I know you didn’t say you are dating mystraightstepsister,” I say. She doesn’t answer. “What about Hannah?” Cara hasn’t mentioned her hockey player girlfriend in a while, but I assumed that was because Cara knew I didn’t approve of Hannah.
She shakes her head. “I haven’t seen Hannah since she stood me and my parents up for hot pot. And Sarina isn’t… straight. We’ve been dating pretty much since I stopped seeing Hannah.”
“Holy crap.” I shake my head. “Really? AndMilesset you up?”
“She was apparently into me when we went to High Park that day. That’s why she came—she thought you were inviting her forme, not Miles. She told Miles everything inthe Uber because she was upset. She didn’t know I would be there with Hannah. When things went bad between me and Hannah, he arranged a get-together with me and Sarina.”
I exhale. “To a place on College Street?”
“Yeah, we went for dinner, then to a board game café.” She’s smiling small.
I shake my head. Cara and Sarina?Dating?On that day at High Park, Cara went with Hannah, but then Sarina hurt her ankle, and Cara came to her rescue. They had a freaking meet-cute. “And no one thought to tell me?”
“Sarina didn’t want Miles or me to tell you because she was afraid her mother would find out. She’s not out to her family.”
I look out the window, hurt. Iwouldn’thave told Noureen or Dad about this, and I would think that my friend Cara would know that. But apparently everyone would prefer to lie to me than give me a chance to support them.
I don’t say anything for a while.
“You’re not mad, are you, Sana? Sarina’s amazing. She’s not like your stepmother at all. Really, you two have so much in common—”
My gaze jolts to Cara. “You, Sarina, even my own boyfriend all lied to my face.” I shake my head. “Yes, I’m mad! I brought her there that day for Miles—”
“Yeah, but you’re with Miles now, so everyone is happy!”
“Are we all happy? Because the way I see it, everyone is fine keeping me out of the loop on what’s going on in their lives. Because, what…? I’m not mature enough to talk toabout heavy stuff? I’m Sunny Sana—fun to hang out with, but not the person you talk about your life with.”
“Sana, it’s not like that!” Cara says. “Sarina didn’t want to come out to her mom. What did you expect me to do?”
Honestly, I kind of get it. I get why Sarina wouldn’t want me to know. We’ve never been close, so she wouldn’t know that I’d have her back. And it’s messed up to out someone who doesn’t want to be outed, so I get where Cara and Miles were coming from too.
It just hurts to know that everyone was okay with keeping me in the dark.
Cara looks at me for a few moments. “I’m sorry, Sana. Do you want me to go?”
I nod. I really don’t want to see anyone right now who doesn’t respect me enough to be honest with me. Zuri has never lied—all I need right now is my cat.
Cara takes her matcha latte and leaves my apartment.
I pull out one of the Cakes for Two and eat the whole thing in one sitting. Which is depressing, but it helps. It does remind me a little bit of Miles, but this is a vanilla cake, not red velvet, so the memories aren’t that strong. Mom’s still not home by the time I go to bed, which is not unexpected.
When I’m in bed, I check my phone. I’d muted Miles earlier, but now I can’t resist knowing whether he tried to reach me at all. There are three texts from him.
Miles: I’m sorry. I know I screwed up. I should have told you about the position with the developer. I’m sorry.
Miles: I have to keep the job, though. I need it. I wishyou’d talk to me, but I understand if you don’t want to.
Miles: I hope we can still work together on Saturday. If you never want to see me again after that, then okay.
