“You can make it a condition of the sale of your shares that they must first sell Emerald to me. We can even set the price now.”

Dad paused, thinking about it. “You want Emerald alone?”

Kamila nodded. “I mean, I’m not really alone. I have friends”—she looked at Jana—“who can support me. Maybe…Rohan for guidance. I have ideas. I don’t want to make it a chain of shops or anything but instead grow the services we provide. Even partner with Aim High to teach finances to newcomer businesses. Let me show you.”

She showed him the printouts of the plans she worked through late last night. Even though Jana hadn’t seen them, she elaborated on Kamila’s ideas, seeming to understand completely what Kamila was trying to do with Emerald.

Huh. Jana Suleiman understood her. That was pretty cool.

Dad exhaled. “Kamila, I didn’t know you wanted this.”

“Do you think she can do it?” Jana asked.

“Of course she can do it. I have faith in Kamila, but this will be a lot of work. Kamila, do you want to do this? What about all the other things you do? Your volunteer work, your parties, your friends, your videos with Darcy. Running a business is a big commitment with a lot of risk.”

“I know, Dad.” She exhaled. “I’ve been unfocused. And maybe too concerned with what people think of me, and I didn’t stop to really think about what I wanted.” Or who she loved, either. She looked down. “I didn’t see my potential, but I do now.”

Dad didn’t say anything for a while. Finally, he sighed. “Your mother underestimated you.”

Kamila snorted. “That’s an understatement.”

“I’m so sorry, Kamila. I should have asked you what you wanted. I assumed you were only at Emerald for me. Not for you.” He frowned, looking over Kamila’s printouts. “I’ll worry about you, beti, working alone.”

“That’s how I know you love me. Let me try, Dad.”

He exhaled. “Okay. I’ll tell Rohan. Let’s see what you can do with Emerald.”

Kamila smiled widely and hugged Dad from behind. That was all easier than she’d thought it would be. “Yay! Thank you, Dad! Amazing!”

Truly the sweetest man in existence.

“I’m proud of you, Kamila. I always was, but today, I’m extra proud.”

*  *  *

Kamila sent Jana home after brunch, but not before giving her a free ticket to the puppy prom. “If we’re going to try to be friends, you’re going to have to learn to love dogs.”

Jana chuckled, taking the ticket. “Fine. I’m curious about this dog-dancing thing anyway.”

“We can do a duet next year.”

Jana snorted as she left.