Page 69 of Yours for the Season
“I don’t believe it.” He speared her with a look. “If he asked you this yesterday, why didn’t you tell me right away?”
Sameera shrugged helplessly. “We were having a nice time baking pies, and then we were at Abu Isra’s, and you were the one who joined us when we went sledding last night. Also, I guess I was hoping he would reconsider.”
“That’s what Esa was alluding to last night. I suppose your siblings know all about this.” His tone was bitter, the expression on his face hard. “Or were you the one who needed time to reconsider? After all, if you were willing to pretend to be my girlfriend in return for an introduction to Andy, if you flew all the way to Alaska just to pitch him, why not do this, too?”
The words stung, because they were tinged with the truth. “I did consider it,” she said quietly. “I hate that his offer made me pause. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tempting. But in the end, it wouldn’t feel right. Tom, I like you. A lot. I know you feel the same. I could never betray you.”
He wiped his face with his hands. “But you thought about it.” She bowed her head, and Tom paced, agitated. “I have to go.”
“Where?” she asked, alarmed.
“I don’t know. Somewhere I can think. Away from here.” He couldn’t even look at her.
“I’m sorry, Tom,” she started again.
“Stop apologizing,” he said shortly. “You’ve done enough.”
He yanked open the patio door and stalked into the snow without his jacket, leaving her to stare after him, stricken.
She ended up back at the guesthouse, because where else could she go? Her conversation with Tom had lasted maybe fifteen minutes, because the rest of her family members were still in their rooms, getting ready for Christmas brunch. Nadiya took one look at her face and led her to the sofa to sit down before filling a glass with water and passing it to her.
“Tom didn’t take the news well?” she asked.
Sameera shook her head. “He was devastated. He asked me why I took so long to tell him, and when I admitted I considered Andy’s offer for a minute, he left.”
Nadiya cursed softly. “Stupid Tom.”
“He wasn’t wearing a jacket,” she said, not sure why this one fact bothered her. “It’s freezing outside. He needs his coat.”
She felt numb, but when she looked up, she saw that Esa had joined them. Nadiya gave him a look, and he pulled on his own jacket, then grabbed Naveed’s parka before heading outside, toward the woods.
Sameera looked down at her hands. She was cold, too. Why was she so cold? She was wearing her warmest sweater. Tom had on only a T-shirt. He had been so angry, and hurt. He blamed her, and with good reason. This was all her fault.
Her sister crouched down until they were at eye level. “Are you done beating yourself up?” Nadiya asked, and her steely tone brought Sameera back to the present, to this house, and to her sister’s serious, knowing gaze.
“Wh-what?” Sameera said.
“Would you like to continue wallowing in self-pity and recrimination for another ten minutes?” Nadiya asked.
“I did a bad thing ...” Sameera started.
“Sameera, I love you, but you need to get over yourself.”
This startled a laugh out of Sameera, though what she really felt was shock. What was her sister saying?
“Tom’s reaction is not about you,” Nadiya said. “He’s mad at his friend, the one who actually betrayed him. I’ll bet he’s mad at his dad, too, because if you think Rob isn’t using this whole situation to get what he wants, I have some property on the moon I’d love to tell you about. Maybe he’s a bit pissed at you, too, but you’re at the very bottom of that list, believe me.”
“This isn’t ... You don’t understand,” Sameera said, holding back her tears. “Tom is mad at me for not being loyal. Hesaid so.”
“Maybe he was mad for a second. Because he needed to be mad at someone, and you were right there, telling him what he didn’t want to hear about a man he considers his blood. Now he’s outside in the cold, feeling angry and sad, but at least he’s dealing with hisshit.” Nadiya’s voice was unflinching and stark, threaded with compassion. “And, babe, it’s time you did the same. It’s time for you to have the conversation you’ve been avoiding for years now.”
Nadiya stood up, and Sameera could see Tahsin and Naveed hovering behind, twin expressions of worry and confusion on their faces. Her sister helped Sameera up. “Don’t think about Tom. Don’t think about Andy. Don’t even worry about Christmas brunch,” her sister whispered in her ear before giving her a little shove toward their parents.
Sameera took a deep, shuddering breath.
“Beta, are you all right?” Naveed asked.
“What has happened to Tom?” Tahsin added. “Is Andy okay?”
