Page 51 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

"Well, did you?" Nadyah asked breathlessly, her eyes widening.

"Of course not," Aliyah retorted.

Nadyah sighed, her shoulders slumping. "How disappointing."

Aliyah turned and faced Nadyah. "What are you talking about?"

"You just dashed my hopes," Nadyah said, a mischievous quirk in her brow.

"Your hopes for what?" Aliyah asked.

"You know Aliyah. Everyone's talking about you and Shahid."

"What!" Aliyah shrieked.

"You two thought you'd fool us all, but you didn't. Not for a minute," Nadyah exclaimed.

"We weren't trying to fool anyone," Aliyah stated firmly.

"Obviously not," Nadyah replied.

Aliyah scowled. "In any case, it's none of anyone's business what Shahid and I get up to together."

Nadyah looked suddenly more interested. "So you have been seeing him in secret," she said emphatically.

Aliyah groaned. "Why can't everyone mind their own business?"

Nadyah laid a gentle hand on Aliyah's arm. "Because, my dear, they all want the best for you and for Shahid. You're quite the perfect couple, you know that, don't you," Nadyah said.

"Who says that?"

Nadyah grinned. "The whole wide world says that, Aliyah."

"Even Azim and Lucy?" she asked.

Nadyah nodded and smiled warmly. "They think it's cute."

"Cute? Is that what they said?" Aliyah demanded.

Nadyah rolled her eyes. "Let me see. What else is everyone saying? That's right. Dream couple. Perfect match. A match made in heaven," Nadyah said counting the phrases off on her fingers.

"Stop!" Aliyah screamed quietly.

Nadyah nodded. "There were a few other predictions. But we won't go into those. Especially not on today of all days."

Aliyah wondered what Nadyah had meant by that last remark. Did she know something Aliyah didn't?

"Predictions? What are you talking about?" Aliyah asked.

Nadyah didn't respond to that last question. Instead, she lifted her hand to her eyes, sheltering them from the early morning sun. She gazed off into the distance as if she was searching for something.

Nadyah glanced at her watch and frowned.

"What is it?" Aliyah asked.

"Nothing," Nadyah said and then suddenly tightened her lips. Her friend was definitely up to something, Aliyah said to herself. She wasn't going to allow that.

"Now listen here, Nadyah. I know you're up to something, and I demand to know what it is," Aliyah said.

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