Page 15 of The Matchmaker

“I’m not going anywhere, silly.”

“I know. But Samir’s got his entire extended family in town. You’ll be exhausted from the million events you’ll be busy withafter your big fat desi wedding.” I give her my best pout. “Samir isn’t all that great, is he?”

“He’s even better.”

Darcy in love. I smile. “After everything you went through with Andrei, I’m so glad you found someone as fantastic as Samir.”

“I wouldn’t wish Andrei on anyone.” She shudders. “But I guess sometimes you have to taste the bitter to appreciate the sweet.”

Bitter was one way to describe Andrei. They were dating back when I first met Darcy, when she was a barista at the coffee shop next door. I remember how he’d skulk about by her car after closing, arms crossed, while Darcy and I finished up our conversations. He didn’t take their breakup too well, either. Refused to take no for an answer. He began leaving threatening voice messages on her cell and, eventually, at the agency, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it got Darcy a restraining order against him once and for all. I’d never understood what she saw in him in the first place, but I guess love can blur the rough edges off of anyone.

“How’s wedding planning going?” I ask her. “November will be here before you know it.”

“We’re tasting cakes this evening. Even though I’ve already decided which one we’re going to choose. I’m getting the—”

“Three-layer chocolate mousse from Ponce Café,” we finish together.

“They’re the best priced, too, but when else do you have an excuse to hit up all the best dessert spots?” She settles down on the chair across from me.

“You might be the only person I know who can make wedding planning look fun.”

At this, her smile fades. “Cake tasting will be fun, but therest of it, not so much. Weddings are expensive, even when you’re trying to go budget. Samir’s been great about covering most of it. He knows how much having a proper wedding means to me, but he just survived a round of layoffs at work, so he’s being a bit more cautious than he’d otherwise have been.”

“Oh, Darcy—”

“It’s fine.” She shrugs. “I guess I’d been hoping Samir’s parents would have come around by now and offered to pitch in, but no dice. Not likeIhave parents to turn to for help.”

Poor Darcy. She didn’t have a stable home growing up, but despite her difficult circumstances, she was determined to make something of herself. She worked hard all through high school only to discover, while applying for college, that her mother had stolen her identity and run up tens of thousands of dollars in credit card charges in her name. Even a Zen master would have a hard time moving past a betrayal like that. Thanks to her mother, Darcy had to juggle three different jobs in college and take out predatory loans just to make it through. My mother died when I was young, but at least I know she loved me dearly and had looked out for me. And when I became motherless, Khala was there for me—she had been my soft place to land. Darcy had no safety net. She’d had to make one for herself.

“Have you heard from your mother recently?” I ask her.

“She called me a few months ago to catch up, and then, of course, she just happened to mention that she needed to borrow money.” She rolls her eyes. “Like she hasn’t taken enough from me? Samir insists I should consider inviting her to the wedding, but I didn’t even tell her I’m engaged. She’ll find some angle to work me. He’s afraid I’ll regret it if I don’t. But she’s lost the right to make me feel bad about anything.”

“Absolutely.”

“He doesn’t get it. His parents set up a Roth IRA for himwhen he was five. They paid for his full ride through school, just like your aunt did for you.Mymother saddled me with debt that will follow me to my grave. If you hadn’t done me a solid and rescued me from my dead-end job, I’m not even sure where I’d be right now.”

“Hey, you did me the favor,” I remind her. “And look, about your mother, your wedding day is about you,” I tell her firmly. “You and Samir are creating a brand-new life together and you should be able to savor your special day like you deserve. You can always make the call to invite her last-minute. There’s no rush.”

She dabs her eyes and smiles at me. “Hey, if we can’t choose our family, at least we can choose our friends, right?”

“That’s right.” I reach over and pat her hand. I pay my team nearly twice the going market rate, but even then, I know Darcy’s debts loom large. I make a mental note to touch base with my accountant to see if I can disburse at least part of the year-end profit share earlier this year.

“Speaking of weddings.” She clears her throat and shoots me a nervous smile. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something kind of important.”

“Don’t tell me you’re extending your sabbatical,” I say half-jokingly.

“I want you to be my maid of honor.”

“Darcy?” I set down my pen. “Really?”

I’m not sure why I’m surprised. We’ve known each other for five years—six if you include the small talk we did when she was the barista who made the best lattes. Outside of Azar, she’s my closest friend—I can’t imagine life without her—but I’m her boss too. I’m aware of the lopsided power dynamics.

“You can think about it,” she says quickly. “But I didn’t want to ask anyone else but you.”

“Who knew my caffeine addiction would lead to such abeautiful friendship?” I grin. “I’d be honored to be in your wedding party.”

I walk around the table and give her a hug.

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