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“So we found the perfect way to bring you together,” Maya announces excitedly, clapping her hands once.

“And just like the previous times, it worked perfectly.”

“The previous times?” My brain is desperately trying to process everything, but it feels like it’s moving in slow motion.

“Nick and Sierra,” John explains.

“Then Ethan and Thalia,” Matthew adds.

“So the proposal for me to take over your son’s project was actually meant to bring me closer to Zayn?” I ask slowly, putting the pieces together.

“Yes,” all three mothers answer at once, as though it should be painfully obvious.

And now it is.

I just needed to hear them confirm it out loud.

“Oh, and forcing you to attend the award gala instead of us…” Mom adds quickly. “That wasn’t actually mandatory.”

“Mom,” I groan, throwing my hands up.

“I’m sorry, honey,” she replies, smiling without an ounce of regret. “But the reason for your breakup…”

“It was…” Maya begins.

“Let’s not talk about it,” Zayn cuts in immediately.

I still haven’t turned to look at him because I don’t know how he feels about any of this.

Does he feel manipulated?

Does he think he was pushed into this relationship?

“Great,” Sara says brightly. “So we’re all good now that you know the truth?”

“I guess…” I mumble uncertainly.

Mostly because I don’t know how Zayn sees this new reality.

“Did it bother you when we said we would’ve interfered in your past relationship?” Maya asks carefully.

“No, but…” I start, confused.

“Wonderful,” Sara declares proudly. “Because we absolutely would have.”

“Then why are you acting so strange?” Zayn asks.

Oh no.

This is not a conversation I want to have in front of our parents.

I turn to him for the first time in the last ten minutes, hoping he understands what I’m trying to say without forcing me to put it into words.

Apparently, he doesn’t need me to, because the parents rise from the couches.

“We’ll let you two figure out whatever still needs figuring out,” Maya says. “We’ll be by the pool.”

I stay where I am, watching him, and he doesn’t take his eyes off me for even a second.