Kamila frowned. She hadn’t seen Maricel since the handsy-Dane incident. She did text her briefly…to tell her that Dane wasn’t coming to Bollywood nights anymore, but Maricel hadn’t said much. She hadn’t seemed all too upset. Maybe because she was secretly dating? “Who?”

“Maricel won’t say. She says it’s too early to talk about it. But she’s walking around like a lovesick puppy, and she’s constantly texting someone.”

Huh. “What’s next on the list?” Kamila asked, changing the subject so she wouldn’t dwell on this. She really needed to stop meddling in her friends’ lives.

“The adoption team is asking if there is a sectioned-off area for the adoptable dogs. They don’t want them mixing with the guest dogs. Apparently, the puppies aren’t quite used to big crowds yet.”

Kamila’s ears perked up. “Puppies? Are Potato and his siblings ready to be adopted?” Potato, who was currently on Kamila’s lap where she preferred him to be during meetings, poked his head up at the mention of his name.

“Oh my god,” Asha said. “He’s answering to Potato now. Heaven help the family who adopts him. They might want to give him, you know, a normal name.”

“There is nothing more normal than a potato.” She scratched under his chin. “So, will he be making his society debut at the ball?”

“Apparently. The litter’s last checkup was great. They’re ready.”

“Did you hear that, Potato? You’re going to be a debutante! Who’s a good little boy? You’ll get to meet Darcy, Lizzy, Luke, and Leia.” Excited by Kamila’s enthusiasm, Potato started wagging his tail and hopping around on Kamila’s lap.

“We can probably put the puppies in a separate room. Like one of the old classrooms or something,” Tim said.

“Perfect,” Asha said. “I think that’s it. Can we meet on site at three o’clock?”

“I’ll be there.” Kamila squeezed Potato. If he was going to be put on the adoption block on Sunday, her days of snuggling her favorite puppy were numbered. But it was fine. She was used to seeing dogs she loved getting homes. It was the circle of a shelter dog’s life.

“Kamila,” Asha said, looking at her clipboard. “Danielle told me to tell you she needs you backstage at three forty-five on Saturday for the canine couture fashion show.”

“What? Why? The Aim High party is on Saturday night.” Saturday was day one of the Dogapalooza festival, but Kamila was only planning to drop by for a little while. She’d need time to get ready and head downtown to set up the room for the cocktail party.

Tim gave Kamila a pointed look. “You’re emceeing, remember?”

Barnacles. She had volunteered for that.

“What time is the Aim High thing?” Asha asked.

“Seven. But I’m meeting Rohan there to set up at six.”