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“Zahra’s ex.”
“He sounds like a dick.”
She elbows me. “No bad words.”
I raise my hands in surrender.
She fidgets with her hair tie on her wrist. “I never liked him.”
“Because?”
“Because he looked at me funny. And sometimes I heard him say things on the phone when I wasn’t supposed to listen.” She looks away. The look on her face has me wondering what kinds of awful things she might have overheard.
“Like?”
She shakes her head aggressively. “Nothing.”
“Why are you protecting him?”
“I’m not. It’s old news, and I don’t want to make Zahra sad again.” Her bottom lip wobbles.
Wow. Ani really cares about her sister. While my brothers love me, I doubt they would let anything tear themselves up to protect me.
Ani knocks her shoulder into mine. “So why did you come tonight?”
“I was curious.”
“About my sister?” Her grin widens.
“About the meeting. I wasn’t sure if she was planning acoup d’étatagainst me.”
Ani giggles. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“What secret?”
“You wanted to see my sister.” She says it in a sing-song way.
I steal the cupcake from her. “I’ll take that as payment.” I forgot what it was like to enjoy sugar but whatever Zahra put in these cupcakes has me craving more.
“Hey! Payment for what?!” She tries to swipe the cupcake out of my hand.
“For the emotional turmoil you’re bound to put me through by the time we’re done here.”
“It’s only day one. You still have months left.”
“Then you better bring a lot of cupcakes.”
I solidify myself as Ani’s buddy. Not because Zahra told me to but because I kind of like her.
Maybe Ani can give you a better understanding of who Zahra really is.
I grind my teeth together.
Or what if Zahra really is a nice person and you’re too goddamn bitter to accept that?
Something about that thought troubles me. Because if Zahra really is a nice person, it would throw my entire mentality off.
I shake my head. I’d be stupid to trust someone based on nothing but a few interactions.
