“Are you all right?”
They hadn’t spoken since their confrontation at the inn yesterday, yet his first words to her weren’t accusatory or demanding, only kind. He had even shown up today because he had promised to play a role in the play. Saif was always so kind.
She nodded, wiping her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? I’d like to help.”
Maryam shook her head, not meeting his eyes, and she heard his soft sigh. Part of her wanted to step into his arms. She had a feeling his embrace would be warm, his arms around her a relief—not just from the cold, but from her fear and sadness. Saif would be a safe harbor from her own churning thoughts.
“Are you angry with me?” she asked in a small voice.
“Because you called me a charming opportunist? I’m a lawyer, Maryam. I’ve been called a lot worse. You should hear what my enemies have to say.”
Maryam snorted. “I refuse to believe you have enemies.”
Saif settled onto the seat beside her. “My next-door neighbor is nursing a long-running vendetta, just because her cat likes me better than her.”
“Cats like food, not people,” Maryam countered.
Saif grinned at her. “Which is why I spend a fortune on tuna steak.”
Maryam shook her head. This was the problem, right here. This easy conversation, the banter, the... rightness of their every interaction. Just like Anna had said: bad timing, unlikely to work, but the relationship she wanted. She had been here before, after all. “I know what you’re doing.”
“A good lawyer tries to remain transparent in all their dealings,” Saif answered smoothly. Then, shifting to face her, concern on his face clear, he reached for her hand, stopping short of her mittens. “Did you leave because you were afraid you were about to punch Nick? I don’t know what Anna ever saw in that guy.”
“I mean, he does have access to a private jet,” Maryam said.
Saif grinned at her, but then his smile faded. “I’m sorry. What I said to you, on the porch... I was out of line.”
“I got a few digs in there, too,” Maryam reminded him. “And you weren’t wrong.” Her gaze, as always, was drawn to him. His face really was distracting, all smooth brown skin and beautiful brown eyes that saw too much. “Maybe we should just leave it here. What happens at Snow Falls and all that. This is a fantasy, a snow day, a time-out from reality. Right?”
Saif looked away, and she took the silence to mean he was agreeing, but his next words brought her up short.
“You were a beautiful bride.”
She blinked at him. Of course he had been at her wedding. His entire family had been invited. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “You looked nice, too. I think you wore something... gray?”
Saif laughed softly. “Navy blue suit. I know men’s suits pretty much all look the same. You were wearing that red-and-goldlenghadress, with the thing here—” He gestured to his forehead.
“Atika,” she said, using the word for the jewel-encrusted forehead ornament worn bydesibrides.
“Right,tika. I don’t have any sisters, so I never learned the lingo,” he said, smiling in remembrance.
“How is Raihan?” she asked. His older brother, the one who had always been friendly with the other kids, and who had helped Maryam and Saima build snow people and snow animals during their winter cottage vacation all those years ago. Right before Saif ambushed them with a snowball fight.
“Still lives in Denver. Still the favorite son. His son, Muneer, just turned two and is really into Thomas the Train.”
“Who isn’t?” Maryam said, and they smiled at each other.
“You seemed so happy at your wedding,” Saif continued. “I remember thinking, that Yusuf is one lucky guy.”
Maryam felt her cheeks warm. “You did not,” she admonished. “You barely noticed me.” When he didn’t say anything, she continued, more quietly. “My marriage didn’t even last a year. Two months before our first anniversary, Yusuf told me he was in love with one of the prescribing doctors at his pharmacy. They have a daughter now.”
“That must have been devastating,” Saif said. “If you like, I can fly to Denver and punch him for you.”
Maryam laughed. “He would certainly deserve it, but no thanks. It’s been almost four years. I don’t like to think about that time in my life.”
“You know, I didn’t even know you weren’t with Yusuf until a few weeks ago,” Saif said, almost conversationally.
