Kacey continued talking about this collective, which progressed to her telling Kamila about her mind-opening trip to Thailand where the Buddhist Eightfold Path had enlightened her brain to the possibilities of conscious business, and how compassion and sustainability were driving the momentum forward in her spa.

Kamila smiled and nodded, realizing that signing this client seemed unlikely at this point. She wished she’d gone with the red polish.

*  *  *

After first nearly burning down her house and having her unsustainable and inexperienced accounting practice rejected by a Buddhist white lady in palazzo pants and a headwrap, Kamila desperately needed a boost to her self-image. Thankfully, she had plans with her friend Asha that afternoon. The Norwegian colorwork sweaters she’d ordered for Darcy and Asha’s dog, Lizzy, had finally come in, so it was time for a photo shoot of the two dogs frolicking in the fall leaves wearing their Nordic attire. Darcy’s fans were clamoring for new glamour shots, and with any luck, she’d go viral again. After rushing home to change and get the dog and her sweater, Kamila drove to her neighborhood dog park.

“You look…autumnal,” Asha said as Kamila got out of her car. Kamila had changed into a full-skirted cream shirtdress covered with huge orange-and-yellow blooms. She’d paired the dress with an open mustard cardigan and knee-high boots in the softest brown leather imaginable.

Kamila kissed her friend on both cheeks. “I’m so stoked it’s finally sweater weather. That septum ring new?”

Asha grinned, tilting forward so Kamila could get a closer look at her ornate new nose ring. “Another gift from Nicole. She likes to adorn me like a Christmas tree, and I’m loving every second of it.”

Asha looked effortlessly luminous, as she always did. Her riot of curls was barely held back with a yellow scarf today, and she was wearing her standard black-leggings-and-dress combo with a red lipstick that looked amazing against her rich brown skin. Kamila had known Asha for about four years, since Kamila had started volunteering at the nearby animal shelter where Asha was the operations manager. They’d chatted while Kamila cleaned up after puppies and cut carrots for rabbits, and Kamila was delighted to learn that Asha lived in the condo on the other side of the dog park. When Asha adopted a one-year-old corgi that had been surrendered to the shelter with the unfortunate name of Lizard-Monster, Kamila acknowledged that as the owner of a dog named Darcy, she had no choice but to be good friends with someone who had a dog named Lizzy. Their friendship had only deepened in the last couple of years.

Kamila looked down at the sweater stretched over Lizzy’s back. “The sweater is a bit…”