What was he thinking, anyway? Maybe disapproving of her choice of attire for the party? She’d, of course, not changed into the respectable little black dress and was still wearing the dress she’d worn to the fashion show. In a rich glossy satin, the dress had a black off-the-shoulder and backless bodice and a full skirt. The skirt was printed in a bold floral with red, blue, and purple flowers, and if anyone looked closely, they’d see little dalmatian puppies peeking from behind the flowers. She was wearing it with a full black-lace crinoline and red patent T-strap heels. And instead of slicked back and “professional,” her hair was open and curly, with nothing but a comb holding it back on one side. This was not how she’d intended to dress for this party, but she just didn’t care anymore. She was going to be herself—the real Kamila. If anyone didn’t approve, it was their issue, not hers.

Rohan slipped his phone into his pocket as he walked toward her.

“Kam, you’re finally here.”

“Is that a crack at me being late? I had a client crisis.” She looked around the room. It looked great—or as great as a boring corporate party room could look. “You seem to have done fine without me.”

He shook his head quickly. “No. It wasn’t a crack. I’m glad you’re here. Can we talk now?” He glanced around. The room was filling up. They’d need to schmooze soon. “Can we step into the lobby for five minutes?”

Kamila bit her lip, annoyed. “Why?”

“Hi, Kamila!” someone very perky said. Kamila turned around…and the perky person was Jana Suleiman? What? Why was Jana even here? And why was she being so…bubbly?

She looked radiant, as usual. She was wearing a slim red shift dress that did nothing to hide her emerging baby bump. And she had the perfect red lipstick to match. She kissed both of Kamila’s cheeks—weird—then looked at Rohan.

“Rohan, good to see you,” Jana said.

“I’m surprised to see you,” he responded.

“Just here to support one of my oldest friends.” She looped her arm through Kamila’s. Was it normal to become a completely different person in the fourth month of pregnancy? Maybe it was the prenatal vitamins. “C’mon, Kamila. I see some people I know from the aid community here—I’ll introduce you.” And she pulled Kamila away from Rohan.

“What are you doing here?” Kamila asked after Rohan was a fair distance away.

“I asked Anil if I could come. I thought you might need an advocate. I knew you’d have no friends here.”

Kamila frowned. “Are we friends?”

Jana shrugged. “We’re comrades in arms right now.”

“But Anil is here. And your colleagues. Aren’t you worried about gossip?”