Page 88 of The Matchmaker

Twenty-six

The morning sun filters into my kitchen from the skylights above. When I first came back to the house yesterday afternoon, I had every intention of packing up a handful of things and checking out of the hotel to head to Azar’s place, but once I actually stepped into my foyer, Gertie greeting me, I felt a rush of homesickness for my cozy cottage. Luckily, Azar is easily dissuaded. He brought over a duffel bag last night and set it by the door. It’s there now.

The phone rings. Nina.

“Yes, we’re still on for this afternoon, and yes, I’ll be there right on time, andyes, I’m sure,” I say immediately upon answering.

“Am I that predictable?”

“Little bit.”

“I guess I have a bit of a hard time relying on people.”

“I had no idea,” I tease her. It’s not even noon yet. “I’m swinging by the agency to grab a few things, but I’ll be at your place by four o’clock with time to spare. Promise.”

“It’s just a networking event,” she says. “If you’re busy, I could skip it.”

“It’s an unofficial job interview.”

She groans. “I’m trying not to think of it like that, or I might have a full-on panic attack.”

“Please. They’d be lucky to have you. Things are slow at the office today anyway. Darcy’s out for wedding fittings, and Genevieve took a sick day. My schedule is clear. I’ve got an alarm reminder on my phone so I won’t lose track of time. Plus, guess who’s getting the award for Number One Auntie this year? I swung by the store last night, and they restocked the stuffed Charmander. I grabbed the second-to-last one they had.”

“You got Lilah the Charmander? She is going to—”

There’s a squeal on Nina’s end of the line.

“Chill, Lilah. Sorry, Nura,” she says as the squeals continue unabated in the background. “Lilah’s got ears like a puppy. I think you’re definitely far and away Auntie of the Year. Azar still coming over to tag-team with you?”

“He’ll join us once he’s off work. We’re going to head to the Stone Bowl House for Korean food. I haven’t tried it yet, but the foodie swears we’ll all love it.”

“Foodie spots are wasted on a four-year-old,” Nina says. “She’ll be equally happy eating a box of mac and cheese.”

“Azar’s response to this would be that we need to refine her palate.”

“Don’t refine it too much,” she warns. “She’s picky enough as is.”

I hang up and fill my water bottle. I pull back my hair and eye my smartphone perennially charging on the counter.

“I miss you,” I say half-jokingly to the glowing device. I’ve heard some people get so used to dumbphones, they never want to go back. For me, absence only makes the heart grow fonder.

A call comes in on my flip phone. Genevieve.

“I have an update on the Usmani investigation,” she says.

“You’re supposed to be off today,” I remind her.

“A cold doesn’t mean I can’t fit in time for a little research. Turns out they’re a pretty huge family, and they live all over the world. It’s a feat to track them all down, but I’m working on accounting for everyone.”

“Thanks, Genevieve.”

“The good news is, so far I haven’t found anyone local,” she says. “And the States-based folks seem pretty intent on living a Kardashian-adjacent lifestyle, but nothing nefarious. I’ll keep you posted if I learn anything more.”

“I really appreciate this.”

“Happy to help.”

I drop my phone in my purse. Earlier today I spoke with the PI that Amara referred me to. He’s still looking into Borzu, but so far there’s been nothing remarkable to note. Borzu frequents three locations almost exclusively: home, his mother’s place, the agency. Nothing unusual. Nothing suspicious.

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