Page 51 of Yours for the Season
“Barb was so excited when she heard your plane, and Rob is thrilled, too. I thought billionaires were too busy to make impromptu visits.”
Andy’s eyes crinkled at her. “Reports of my wealth are greatly exaggerated. My net worth is six hundred million at most, so I can spend my time as I please. Real billionaires are held to a different standard. Besides, Rob and Barb are like my adoptive parents.”
Sameera furrowed her brows, thinking. Tom said his father had cut him off when he dropped out of college, and that Andy had saved him from being unhoused. Why would his best buddy be on visiting terms with his estranged father?The math ain’t math-ing,as Bee would say. Andy’s next words revealed that the suspicion clearly went both ways.
“I was surprised when Tom told me you agreed to come out to Alaska,” he started. “He hasn’t invited anyone except me to visit before. Definitely never a girlfriend.”
That made her inexplicably happy, in a way she didn’t want to examine too closely. “It’s a long story,” Sameera said, deflecting. “Do you often visit Rob and Barb, without Tom? He told me he hasn’t been up to Wolf Run in a few years.”
Andy didn’t answer, shoveling eggs into his mouth. “I’d love to hear about how you and Tom met, Sameera. I have to keep an eye on my boy, you understand.”
Sameera’s stomach squeezed. She clearly hadn’t thought this plan entirely through. She had told Tom she wouldn’t lie about their relationship. If she pitched Andy now and got the job, a part of her would wonder if it was because he thought she was Tom’s significant other. On the other hand, if she came clean and told Andy the truth—that she and Tom were not dating, that she had agreed to film a fewvideos for Tom’s social media in exchange for an introduction to him—that wouldn’t exactly paint her in a positive light.
The kettle clicked off, and she automatically made him chai, strong and hot, sweetened with honey, just the way her parents liked it. He accepted the cup and took a cautious sip.
“You can take the desi girl out of the boardroom and out to Alaska, but she will never forget how to brew a proper cuppa,” he joked. Andy had cleared his plate, and she reached for it, but he shook his head, rising to put it neatly in the dishwasher.
“Tom’s chai is actually better than mine,” she said, and a fond expression crossed Andy’s face.
“Did he tell you how we met?” Andy asked.
“He said you were roommates in business school. That you invested in his catering company. That everything you touch makes money,” Sameera added.
Andy laughed, putting down his tea. “I was terrified when I went to that school. I felt completely out of my element. Most of my classmates came from upper-middle-class and wealthy families, people with money. I was the only Muslim kid in the entire cohort, and one of the only Brown guys, too. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.”
Sameera nodded. Of course she did. It had been the same for most of her classes, even on the East Coast, and definitely in her firm—exhibit A being Blake “Chip” Latham—though things were starting to change. It was strange that though she was a nonpracticing Muslim, and in some ways more comfortable around white and Black Americans than her parents’ desi immigrant friends, she was also aware of the ways she was instantly judged and labeled when people first met her. How her last name—Malik—instantly put her on the outside, while her lack of community and faith adherence put her on the outside with her own people, too. It was a situation that often made her feel lonely and frustrated. Her estrangement with her own family only emphasized that Sameera didn’t really fit in anywhere. It was a surprise to realize that Andy could empathize with these feelings.
“Tom made me feel like I was all right, just as I was. He’s got this way about him. Like he’s comfortable in his own body and has nothing to prove. I felt like I could relax and just breathe when he was around. That made it easier to plot strategy and figure out how to take over.”
Sameera laughed. Behind the blustering, swaggering man who’d shown up at his friend’s house in his own plane, there was a real person who had once been scared and uncertain and full of dreams he didn’t know would ever come to fruition. Sort of like her. He was right about Tom, too. She felt instantly calm and accepted around Tom, no matter what she said or did. Forget cooking; that was his true superpower.
“Do you always plot strategy, or do you sometimes go with your gut?” Sameera asked.
Andy watched her over his tea, which had cooled down considerably. Maybe he liked everything just a little cold. He had made his fortune selling bubble tea and frozen drinks, after all. “It’s funny you should say that, Sameera. Because I have a question I’d love to ask you.”
But before he could elaborate, Barb joined them in the kitchen. “Tahsin wanted to check out the Christmas market, and today is the last day. Andy, you’re welcome to join us, dear.”
Andy swallowed the last of his tea and rubbed his hands together. “Stock market, Christmas market, I love them all. Lead the way.”
Barb bustled out of the kitchen, and Andy caught her eye. “We’ll talk more later,” he said, heading for the foyer.
Chapter Eighteen
Andy noticed the changes on the grounds since his last visit, asking about the new porch light and repairs in the stonework as their party strolled outside. He was also attentive and polite to his hosts, which went over well with her parents. Tahsin and Naveed were thrilled to meet Andy in person. Not that she could blame them—he was a bona fide community success story.
After parking the trucks in a lot near Main Street, their group, which consisted of everyone except Cal and Esa, wandered toward the town square, where the Christmas market set up stalls every year. Barb explained that the local market was quite the draw; people drove in from all over the state to browse the selection of handicrafts, as well as homemade treats.
“I’m surprised your wife didn’t accompany you to Alaska,” Tahsin said as they strolled. Naveed and Sameera exchanged an amused glance—her mother wasn’t even trying for subtle.
“No wife or girlfriend, Aunty. With my schedule and many commitments, I’m afraid I haven’t made the time to find someone special,” Andy answered with a smile.He must get set up by people all the time,Sameera thought. He was an attractive, single Muslim man with multiple homes and a fortune. Which meant that, in the eyes of every desi aunty, he must be in want of a wife.
“If you’re too busy to find someone, you should ask your parents,” Tahsin persisted.
“Mom,” Sameera hissed. “He’s been here five minutes.” She tried to tamp down her embarrassment.
“Andy doesn’t mind. Your mom can set up a WhatsApp profile for you. That’s how it’s done these days. Why don’t you give me her number, and I’ll get the ball rolling?” Tahsin said, but luckily, Naveed distracted his wife by telling her that Barb was eager to learn her channa recipe.
“Sorry about that,” Sameera said once her father had steered Tahsin away, leaving her, Tom, and Andy to walk leisurely behind.
