Page 16 of The Love Match

I can’t help but wonder what Harun will think. Frankly, he doesn’t deserve this much effort, but my pulse starts to race nevertheless.

Dani narrows her eyes at me. “Why are you so flushed, hmm?”

“?’Cause of Nayim again?” Dalia adds.

“No,” I choke out. “It’s called blush, am I right?” They don’t seem convinced, so I change the subject. “Anyway, I owe you two a box of Munchkins for rescuing me today. Amma wanted me to take the day off, but I can’t afford to miss shifts.”

“Anytime, Zar.”

They both give me careful hugs that won’t wrinkle my outfit, and then we pile out of the bathroom. My newest coworker is still sweeping, but alone. Mr. Tahir must already be sequestered in his office, counting today’s profits. Nayim glances up at my arrival.

He freezes. “You look—”

“Yes?” My voice cracks, though I’d been aiming for blasé.

He seems too taken aback by my appearance to notice. “Different.”

“Hey!” The twins grow indignant on my behalf, but I only cock my head at the horrified expression that steals over his face as he apologizes.

“Sorry. I guess I’m the one stepping in it now.”

“Big-time.” I grin.

He rubs the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean it like that. You look… great.”

A nervous giggle escapes me. I try my best to play it cool. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself, newbie.”

The sight of my smile invites one of his own. “Where’re you off to?”

For some reason I don’t want to unpack, I’d rather not tell him my mother has set me up with a boy who despises me. I’m rescued from having to explain by a series of knocks on the window of the tea shop. As expected, Arif is waiting outside in his second-best suit, an idling car behind him. He gestures for me to hurry.

“Gotta go,” I say. “Duty calls.”

But as I leave the shop, I can’t resist glancing back and find Nayim watching me, too.

Butterflies flutter in my belly. I slam the Uber door shut hard enough to dislodge them, turning my attention to my family and what’s to come instead.

Now is not the time for more boy-shaped distractions.

Not when I have plenty of boy-shaped problems ahead.

THE AUNTIE NETWORK

Sharmila:

Has anyone else met Mr. Tahir’s latest hire? Is Chai Ho an etheem khana now?

Meera:

Sharmila, how could you say that? Fareh na ilan mathe! Did you see how he saved Zahra? It was like something out of a natok. What a dashing young man! ??

Champa:

Oh? Are you saying you’d introduce a dishwasher to your daughter? Just because she’s fatherless doesn’t mean Zahra can’t do better. She is a Khan, after all.

Meera:

Chup koro! Of course not! Such a shame he doesn’t come from a better family… but that won’t be a problem for Zahra. I heard Pushpita Emon has been sniffing around her. ??

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