“Seriously, Kamila. Rohan is objectively quite a catch. A lawyer, a partner in a successful accounting firm. Responsible, educated, smart. No gambling habit or toxic masculinity to be seen. His only flaw seems to be that he’s a workaholic, and yet he’s always, and I do mean always, with you.”

“So?”

“Why wouldn’t you want to try for something here? You two drip with chemistry—everyone can see that. I had no idea it was sexual chemistry. I thought you were just utterly perfect as good friends, or pseudo-siblings. Think about all the things he does for you…making momos with you, driving your car home in the middle of the night, volunteering to plan this charity party with you. You’ve spent the last month tripping over yourself to make sure he doesn’t date anyone else. Just fuck already—put each other out of your misery and live happily ever after.”

“Jesus, Asha! He’s…he’s Rohan! He’s way too good—”

“Don’t you dare say he’s too good for you. You know it’s not true.”

She shrugged. Kamila wasn’t big on self-loathing, but this was ridiculous. There was no way Rohan took her seriously enough to want more than a few kisses. And she didn’t want more, either—Kamila didn’t do relationships.

“Honestly, Asha. I want things to stay the same between us. I need him as a friend. The last thing Dad needs now is change, and starting a relationship with Rohan would be change.” There was no way they could keep this friendship when the relationship went sour. Which it probably would because they were way too different.

Asha sighed. “So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I need to think…” She checked her watch. “But actually, I should probably get going. I don’t know when Shelina will be bringing Dad home, but I should be there. Thanks for breakfast. And for keeping Darcy last night.”

“Any time. And…before you go…I’m going to say one thing. I don’t have kids, but I can imagine how frustrating it is when your kids don’t meet your expectations for them. But your mother, she should have adjusted her expectations and realized that even if you weren’t who she expected you to be, you were—you are—still an amazing person who is worth knowing. She missed out on knowing you, and that was on her, not you. I’m not surprised Rohan could see how great you were, but I wish your mother had, too.”

So did Kamila. But it was too late for that. Kamila smiled and hugged Asha before taking her dog home.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18