Maryam nodded, miserable. “When he used to live in Denver, he was a cute, safe brown boy who was part of my family’s social circle. Having a crush on him was so easy, and since we barely spoke, I didn’t have to worry about it going anywhere. Then he moved to California and life went on, but now he knows how I felt—or maybe how I feel?—and he’s turned into this flirty stranger.”
“You think he’s toying with your feelings,” Anna finished.
“Farah told me I shouldn’t judge. My parents felt they had to warn me away. And Saima is obviously on Saif’s side.”
“What do you think?” Anna asked.
Maryam sighed. “I think I don’t have time for any more romantic drama in my life. I’ve been burned by charming men before.”
“Then don’t get burned this time,” Anna said, thoughtful. “Maybe just enjoy the attention.”
Maryam appreciated that Anna hadn’t pushed her for more details, but she couldn’t help her next question. “Is that what’s happening with you and this Josh guy?” she asked. She hadn’t meant to bring up Nick, but suddenly, he was the elephant in the room.
Anna bit her lip. “You can probably guess that I’ve been having some doubts about Nick. Today we had a huge fight, and to be honest, I don’t know where we stand. We’re taking a break. Because of your dadu’s advice, I’ve been managing not to worry about it too much, but I know I’ll have to deal with it at some point. The phones are finally working again, and I keep thinking I should call him. It’s just, I have no idea what to say. And meeting Josh—honestly, I don’t know what to say about that, either! It’s complicated,” she finished.
“Sometimes that’s all you can say to describe weird relationship dynamics,” Maryam joked. Anna looked distressed, so she decided to bring their conversation back to safer waters. “Well, thanks again for distracting Saima. After she told her fiancé to cancel themehndi, I honestly thought she was going to punch me. Themehndiis a ladies-only dance party where we apply henna, sing funny songs in Urdu, share stories, and rock out,” she explained in response to Anna’s puzzled expression.
“I know what amehndiis,” Anna said, smiling. “I was just wondering why Saima is mad at you. Are you responsible for the weather now?”
“Haven’t you heard? I’m the elder daughter in an immigrant family—I’m responsible for everything.”
Anna looked thoughtful for a moment. “Why can’t you host Saima’smehndihere?” she asked. “I’d be happy to help plan it.”
Maryam laughed at the idea. “You need food, decor, henna, all sorts of things for a propermehndi.”
“When I was in town with Josh, I noticed so many shops with goods from all over the world. I bet they’ll have everything you need in Snow Falls. What else are we going to do tomorrow? With the blizzard still going, I doubt we’ll be able to leave. It will be fun!” Anna jumped up and started hopping up and down on one foot, then stuck one hand in the air and made corkscrewing motions with her fingers.
“What are you doing?” Maryam asked, horrified.
“When my college roommate Nadia got married earlier this year, I had to learn how to do this choreographed Indian dance. For one of the moves, they told me to pretend to screw in a lightbulb while hopping up and down. Come on—it’s cold outside, we’re stranded. I’ll even show you some of myBollywood moves,” Anna said, her excitement palpable. Then her face fell. “I’m interfering again, aren’t I?”
Maryam looked at Anna, taking in her hopeful expression and upbeat energy.We need this, she thought.Maybe Anna needs this, too.“Yup, you’re interfering again. It’s almost like you’re an honorarydesigirl now.”
Anna’s smile was wide and delighted in her assent.
“I just have one condition,” Maryam said, mock severely. “I’m sure your friend Nadia was trying to help, but you’re sorely in need of some proper dance instruction. Friends don’t let friends attend amehndiwithout learning how tobhangra.”
NINE
Anna
December 21
Anna was laughing so hard she had to wipe tears from her cheeks. “Come on, please,” she begged Maryam. “Just one more time!”
Maryam rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, but she was laughing, too. “I’m telling you, you’re a lost cause. Some people just have two left feet.”
“I do not have two left feet!” Anna said. “If you must know, I think my rhythm is off because I’ve been taking ballroom dancing classes with Nick to practice for his family’s Christmas ball.” Anna felt a small ache as she said this, because it highlighted just how much she and Nick had been putting into their holiday plans—and given what had happened between them earlier, maybe she should feel guilty for being unexpectedly happy, just where she was. But she pushed the thought away, as she was growing used to doing. Clearly, she had decided not to break her worry fast at sunset. She was having fun. “Maybe I can’t masterbhangra—but you should see me do the foxtrot!”
“Oh, this I have got to see,” Maryam said, and beside her, Saima laughed. She had returned downstairs after calling Miraj, drawn in by the music. Saima looked happier than she had since she landed, and Anna was glad. They had pushed the couches to the side and were playing the up-tempobhangrabeats courtesy of Maryam’s CD collection, curated especially for Saima’s now canceled Torontomehndi. Anna and Maryam had decided to keep their plans to throw Saima a replacement party the next night a secret—until they were sure they could pull it off—and had told Saima they were just having some fun with the dancing.
Anna grabbed Maryam before she could protest and said, “Well, the foxtrot is not something you can do solo. Just follow my lead. Two walking steps forward.Walking, Maryam, not trying to run away. Ow, my toe. Now...” Anna paused, wracking her brain for the next directions. “Back, back, side left—no, right. Side, slow...” She let go of Maryam and threw her hands in the air. “Never mind! I admit it, I wasn’t really paying attention in the classes we took. I’m a terrible dancer!”
At that moment, Saima gasped and sat bolt upright on the couch. Anna followed her startled gaze—straight into Mysterious Josh’s eyes. “Ohmigod,” she whispered. “That’s him.”
Saima had jumped up off the couch. Just as Anna whispered, “That’s Mysterious Josh!” Saima whisper-shouted, “That’s Chase Taylor! And Tenisha Barlowe! I think I’m going to faint!”
Saima gripped both Anna’s and Maryam’s arms as Anna stared at the scene unfolding in the entranceway: a tall, beautiful woman stood beside Josh, and a small crowd of peoplewere filing into the lobby—one of whom Anna recognized as the director Katrina Wakes.
