“You can’t get a license in two days, but you can in a month. Call her back—see if you can still get the grant as long as the business license comes through before the grand opening.”

A very wet, very large Bernese mountain dog charged at Maricel then. Kamila took a step back so she wouldn’t get wet.

After Maricel subdued the beast-like dog (Maricel was just so good at dog obedience), she agreed to call the woman about the grant and let Kamila know what she said.

“By the way,” Kamila said, “I heard you’re dating.”

“Oh.” Maricel blushed, then let out a bashful giggle. “It’s just starting. I…I don’t want to talk about it and jinx it yet. But I’m hoping he’ll come to the puppy prom tomorrow. He’s having a lot of family problems right now, though, so I don’t know.”

Kamila grinned. “I hope he can come, too. But I won’t pry. I’m really happy for you.”

It was almost time for the fashion show by then, so Kamila left Darcy with Asha and headed inside the shelter to change into her emceeing dress.

As she was touching up her makeup, her phone rang. She checked the screen. Rohan.

Reluctantly, she answered it.

“You didn’t read my email, did you?” His voice was clipped. Annoyed? Still, though, it made her shiver.

“Hello to you, too.” She had to force the deadpan tone in her voice.

“Kamila, I know you hate me, but I really need to speak to you. Can we meet before the party tonight?”

She exhaled slowly. “I don’t hate you, Rohan.” She didn’t. She loved him. But she was so angry. Hopefully the anger would help the pesky being-in-love-with-him thing to go away soon. “And I can’t come early. I’m emceeing the canine couture show in ten minutes.”

“The what?”

“The dog fashion show? It’s one of those silly Kamila things that I do. I’ll have a ton more time to do things like this soon, thanks to you.”

“Kamila…” She heard him sigh. He sounded…wounded. He clearly wanted to explain himself. To fix things. Because that was his nature. This was just guilt. He was a stand-up guy.

But there was no way to fix this. Not now, with Dad so happy.

“Look, I need to go, Rohan.”

“Are you coming to the Aim High party at all?” he asked.

“Of course I’m coming. I made a commitment. I’ll be there to help set up the room with you at six.” As much as she didn’t want to, she’d be at that damn party. Then she wouldn’t have to see Anil, or the rest of the Aim High team, ever again. That was one benefit of Emerald being absorbed into HNS.