Kamila crossed her arms on her chest. “Everyone sees me as a flighty, frivolous, superficial pixie. I work my butt off at Emerald and in my volunteer jobs, and everyone assumes I’d rather be dressing up my dog. I can care about pretty clothes and designer furniture and about my clients. I thought Rohan understood that. I thought Dad did, too, but they wouldn’t have done this if they had.”

“What exactly did they do?” Jana asked.

Should she tell Jana Suleiman about her troubles? About her insecurities, about her family’s betrayal? This was her nemesis, right?

But whatever was in this ice cream took away her filter. She told Jana everything.

“Wow,” Jana said when Kamila was done. “I’d be angry, too. They’re closing your business. Can’t you just tell them not to?”

“I mean, I could…but Dad is doing well. Retirement is a good idea. He’d be devastated if he found out I wasn’t happy. I mean, if he owned Emerald outright, I would tell him to peace out and I’ll keep the office going, but it’s owned by HNS. And I do not want to work with HNS.”

Jana sank down in her seat. “I don’t blame you. That place is a total sausage fest.”

Huh. Kamila wouldn’t have imagined that Jana would use the term sausage fest. Also, she seemed to understand Kamila. Maybe she’d underestimated her nemesis.

“And Rohan knew I didn’t want to work at HNS.”

Jana shook her head. “I take back what I said about him. He’s as bad as the rest. Stupid men.”

“Let’s start a women’s commune,” Asha said.

“Ooh, yes—let’s!” Nicole agreed.

Kamila chuckled. “Of course that’s what the lesbians want.” She got up to get another pint of ice cream, since she’d finished the one she was working on. “I’m unfortunately not willing to give up men altogether. But I’m going back to casual only. Feelings aren’t worth it.”

She hadn’t been on any dating apps since Ernesto left, but it was time to switch her status back to “looking.”

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The two-day Dogapalooza was part carnival, part festival, and a celebration of all things dogs. It had been one of Kamila’s favorite community festivals long before she even started volunteering at the shelter. This year’s event was going to be even more epic than usual, with bigger and better vendors, dog obstacle courses, a large ball pit, silent auctions, and more. All ending with her baby—the puppy prom on Sunday. It all should have been more than enough to keep Kamila’s mind off everything, but there was just way too much going on, and she found it hard to look forward to the event.