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Dina didn’t want to cry in front of Lucky, and she quickly retreated downstairs, Lucky following a few moments later.

Samir poked his head out from behind an oversize sculpture of a Rajasthani warrior, where he had retreated to check work emails before his father and the guests had trooped in. He looked thoughtful, then reached for his phone and pulled up his contacts.

Nothing—the same thing we’ve always been. The words ricocheted around Dina’s mind as she ran through the foyer, toward the patio doors and fresh air. She wasn’t sure where Lucky had gone, and right now she didn’t care. She felt embarrassed and foolish. What had she been thinking? The words had been a mistake—she knew that the minute they exited her mouth. Why had she asked Lucky to define whatever they were to each other now? Was it because he had driven here with Aliyah and she was jealous? Was it because the reception was around the corner, which meant she would soon be on her way back to Toronto and have no reason to see Lucky again? Whatever her motivation, he had shut her down. Firmly.

Dina stared out at the beautiful manicured lawn with its perfect pea gravel and carefully pruned hedges. She could see the edges of an ornamental hedgerow maze in the distance. Seriously, this place was just beyond.

“Dina, what are you doing out here by yourself?” her sister called, and Dina whirled around. For a mansion, privacy seemed to be in short supply around here.

“I wanted to check out the pool,” she lied. “I got a little lost,” she added, which was closer to the truth.

Hania’s expression turned knowing. “It’s all so overwhelming, right? Like, I knew Samir’s family was loaded, but I thought more ‘doctor rich’ and less ‘Bezos lite,’ you know?”

Dina cracked a smile. She was glad to see her sister. They had barely had any time to talk since the wedding festivities started. Hania seemed to be glowing, and more relaxed than Dina had seen her in months.

“How are you?” Dina asked.

Hania shrugged. “Marriage really puts things in perspective. I feel like a whole new person already.”

“Give it a few weeks,” Dina said wryly. She softened her tone. “It was a lovely ceremony. I’m sure your numbers were through the roof. Speaking of which—where’s Ambreen? I thought this was the sort of content she lived for: beautiful house, stunning pool and grounds. I bet you could do a compelling live stream in front of that handcrafted front door.”

Her sister sighed. “My followers have been clamoring to see this place, but Samir told me his parents have this thing about privacy.”

“What thing?” Dina asked.

“Like, they believe in it,” Hania said. “They don’t want any filming inside the house or the backyard. In some ways they’re so old-fashioned. At least we can film the walima, since it will be outside in tents.”

Dina smiled. To Hania, privacy felt foreign. Her sister didn’t understand that regular people didn’t always want to blast their private lives—and spaces—out to the whole internet, especially considering Hania’s vast social media reach. Who knew what sort of people might be watching Hania’s video of Yahya and Rabia’s luxurious home, the art on the walls, and the valuables contained within. Better not to court trouble.

Hania stepped closer to her sister and lowered her voice. “Actually, I’m glad it’s just you and me out here. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“You can talk to me about anything. What’s up?” Dina said, forcing a smile.

Hania reached for her arm and pulled her to the side lawn, out of the direct sight line of the house. “I have a secret,” her sister hissed. “You have to promise not to tell anyone.”

Dina tried to contain her alarm. “Maybe this is something you should talk to your new husband about? Unless you need legal advice, in which case our relationship might prove to be a conflict of interest . . .” She trailed off in the face of Hania’s impatient expression.

“Samir already knows. So do his parents, Mom and Dad, Ambreen, and I think a few of my friends might have overheard me talking about it,” Hania said.

“Not much of a secret, then,” Dina said dryly.

“Promise to keep this between just us? You’re a lawyer, so you’re not allowed to lie,” Hania said. She was dead serious, and Dina attempted to keep her expression solemn.

“I’ll do my best,” she said.

“You know this whole Vogue Arabia thing?” Hania said. Dina nodded. “Well, it’s actually more audition than photo shoot.”

Dina blinked. Whatever she had been expecting, it wasn’t this. “An audition for what?”

“A reality TV show, based on my life!” Hania said, excited. Her eyes were shining, and her smile was huge. “I signed with CAA six months ago, and my agent thinks the wedding is the perfect opportunity to relaunch my brand.”

“Wow,” Dina said. “I had no idea you were tired of being an influencer.”

“I mean, I can’t do that forever, and it’s boring, having to constantly come up with new content. Can’t you picture a show about my life?” Hania asked, striking a pose. “They’re thinking Hania’s Happenings as a title.”

Dina blinked. “That sounds like the title of a 1950s newspaper gossip column,” she said.

“Exactly! We’re going for a retro vibe,” her sister said. “My agents have been reviewing Ambreen’s footage, and they really like the supporting cast—you and Arshad in particular. Who knows, maybe you can have a spin-off show. We could be the Kardashians in hijab!” Hania said, her eyes shining.