Page 62 of The Matchmaker

“How is wedding prep going for the two ofyou?” I ask the couple. At this, they simultaneously break into a smile.

“Samir survived the latest round of cuts,” Darcy says. “And guess what? He surprised me a few hours ago and put down the rest of the deposit for the Georgian Terrace! Looks like we’ll be getting married there after all.”

“Darcy, that’s fantastic!” I exclaim.

“I told Samir he didn’t need to do that. What if his work blindsides us again with another round of layoffs?”

“The Georgian Terrace was your dream from the start, Darcy,” Samir says. “Why not make this dream come true?”

“Hmm, maybe because debts don’t pay down themselves?” Darcy elbows him teasingly.

“You’re not in this alone anymore, remember?” he says. “You deserve the perfect day you’ve always dreamed of. If this ordeal has any lesson for us, it’s that life is unexpected. May as well lean in to the moments that matter while we can.”

Over dessert, Azar asks Samir for stock market advice whileDarcy fills me in on the menu options they’re whittling down. As we talk beneath the twinkling lights, the rush of the Chattahoochee rumbling in the distance, my shoulders start to soften. This is what normal feels like. An ordinary meal with my friends, suddenly so precious. It’s over. I’m safe.

“It’s been nice to chat,” Samir says as the bill arrives. He grabs it and hands the server his credit card before any of us can protest. “Maid of honor is no small task. I hear you’re throwing her a mehndi too?”

“A bridal shower–mehndi combo. I thought it might be fun.”

“How did I find a girl more into desi culture than I am?” Samir groans.

“Considering you’re not into it at all,” Darcy says, poking him, “the odds were high.”

“I’m into the culture! It’s just our never-ending weddings,” he protests. “The whole rigamarole of dholkis, sangeets, bangle ceremonies, and all the rest of it—it’s exhausting.”

“How can you turn down an opportunity for a proper South Asian wedding? You take all the cultural things for granted,” she says. “I have arealappreciation for desi culture.”

“No one’s debating that.” Samir grins and pulls her close. He glances at us. “Did you know that she even tried to convince me to ride to the wedding hall on a horse? Ahorse.”

“I want it to be perfect, that’s all. Hopefully your mother will see that eventually,” Darcy says. “I’m not the Indian bride she was hoping for, but I’m doing my best.”

“She’ll love you. Give her time.” He kisses her.

“No one needs time to love Darcy,” I protest.

“No argument from me there,” Samir says. “It surprised my mother, is all. She was over the moon when I told her I’d signed up for the Piyar app.”

“Then dumbstruck when you broughtmehome,” Darcy adds.

“Love finds who it will,” I say. “You’re a great match, and I should know. Your mother will realize it soon enough.”

They gaze at each other. Their love surrounds them like a warm halo. Looking at them, I can see why some people do go through the effort. Putting themselves out there repeatedly. Braving terrible date after terrible date in hopes of finding the one who makes them smile like Samir smiles at Darcy. I can see the allure of wanting to come home to someone other than an aging feline. I guess I can see why someone might try.

—

“ ‘I have a real appreciation of desi culture,’ ” Azar says, mimicking Darcy. “More like a realappropriation.”

“Azar!” I toss a pillow at him. We said our goodbyes over an hour ago. Now I’m at Azar’s place. “She saved my life!”

“So I can’t call her out? How is that fair?” He pauses. “Actually, that’s completely fair. Duly noted. No more picking on Darcy.”

“She’s really nice. You just have to get to know her better.”

“Sheisnice, but she can be a lot, don’t you think? A horse for the wedding? Really?”

“Fine, a horse is a bit much.” I laugh. “She’s just really immersed in the culture, with all the weddings she’s helped throw. Most of our clients are desi.”

“I know.” He stops and considers. “I guess what gets to me is she can put it all on when she wants to. The clothes and jewelry are fun, but she can also take it all off. Brush out that blond hair and she’s back to being cozy in her privilege. She gets to have it both ways.”

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