Page 47 of The Matchmaker

“I doubt she’s cooperating.”

“He doesn’t need her to cooperate. Just presenting the facts about what happened, that a wedding I facilitated fell apart, would be enough to fuel gossip and speculation until the end of time. I can’t imagine the impact for our agency.” I purse my lips. “Maybe Ishouldtalk to him.”

Darcy stares at me like I’ve sprouted antlers. “Hi, I’m Darcy, and what have you done with my friend Nura?”

“If he’s going to publish a negative story, I should get the counternarrative out too.”

“With Logan?”

“Maybe, I don’t know. We just need our side of things out there.”

“Itwouldbe nice to set the record straight. Remember the viral tabloid piece that said Piyar was a front for a high-powered escort service? We really should have gone after them.”

“The curiosity from the press isn’t going to let up. It’s like Borzu said, Logan is a well-respected journalist. Any accusation he posts will be taken seriously.”

“Want me to check ifTheNew York Timesis still interested in that puff piece?”

“That would be perfect.”

A door swings open in the distance. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafts into the ballroom. Darcy tilts her head and eyes me.

“It must be strange to attend weddings without Azar,” she says. “How are you feeling?”

“Happy to be here tonight withyou.”

“I checked out Zayna’s profile this afternoon,” Darcy says. “She posts nonstop, doesn’t she?”

“Darcy!”

“Social media is the only acceptable form of stalking. I got curious after we ran into her.” She hesitates. “You doing okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You and Azar are close….”

“Fine, I guess I’m nervous. Azar and me—we’ve known each other most of our lives. Even if Zayna genuinelylovedme, how many people would be cool with our friendship?”

“She’ll have to accept you come with the package.”

“I don’t think it works that way. It’s early still, but they seem serious. I get the feeling our days as friends are numbered.”

“I can’t see Azar sacrificing his friendship with you for anyone. She’ll get over whatever hang-up she has.”

I think of our last wedding together. His fitted black sherwani. His dimpled smile. The shiver that ran through me when he playfully kissed my hand. If I were Zayna, I would not approve of me.

“Hope she’s good enough for him,” I say instead.

“We can look into that, can’t we?”

“Good idea.”

“Like you haven’t already started?”

“I haven’t!” I protest. “But okay, yes—I’ve been meaning to.”

“A quick skeleton-in-the-closet scan is what a good friend would do, anyway.”

Darcy’s right. I’ll make peace with this shift soon enough, but shedoesneed to be good enough for Azar. That’s non-negotiable. I clear my throat, eager to change the topic.

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