Asha frowned. “Tight—yeah, I know. Lizzy’s also getting spoiled these days. Two moms, double the treats. Twice last week he tricked Nicole into giving him a second dinner. We need to figure out a system.”

Kamila patted the dog’s head with amusement, then looped her arm through Asha’s. “C’mon, let’s get some pictures by the trees before going to the off-leash area. If we get good shots, I want to photoshop them into this Norwegian Christmas market picture I found.”

It was supremely basic to wax poetic about fall, but Kamila was happy to own her basic-girl status, because September was so excessively idyllic. The warm sun. The hollow hum of cicadas and laughing children excited to be reunited with their friends after summer holidays. Foliage transforming to the exact tones that best complemented Darcy’s pale-beige and white fur and brown eyes. These pictures would be epic, even unphotoshopped into Norway.

But the moment Kamila unclipped Darcy’s leash for pictures, the dog jumped headfirst into a pile of leaves. Lizzy looked on, head cocked, knowing his mom wouldn’t approve of him joining his free-spirited friend. Lizzy might have had the fine eyes of Elizabeth Bennet, but they were paired with the dignified stoicism of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Kamila had often wondered if the two dogs should trade names.

“Take pictures quickly. Darcy’s sweater will be caked in leaves in about three seconds. I’m not sure wool is best for active dogs,” Asha said, gently urging Lizzy to play with his friend.

Kamila hurriedly took some pictures with her phone.

“How did your client meeting go today?” Asha said as she picked up a suspicious Lizzy and attempted to deposit him in the leaves.

“Terribly. Look at this profoundly drab manicure.” Kamila held up one hand to show off her nails. “I think this is all I’ll be getting from Nirvana Lotus Day Spa. Certainly not a freelance accountant retainer.”

“Oh no! Why not?”

Kamila sighed. “She didn’t seem that impressed with me. It’s fine. I’m not sure I want to work with a born-again Buddhist vegan anyway. I’m feeling a little wounded that she didn’t think I was righteous enough, though.”

“Righteous? Is that what she said?”

“She implied it. And she implied I couldn’t possibly have the experience needed to work with them on an expansion. It’s frustrating. I have loads of new clients, but they’re all pretty small. If I got a big client like this, maybe I could convince Dad to go part-time.”

“Didn’t your dad’s client refer someone to you last week? How did that pan out?”