Kamila had wondered if Rohan was only humoring Dad with his HNS updates, since Rohan wasn’t exactly a young ingenue needing a mentor when he took over operations—he had come from a busy law firm where he’d been a tax lawyer for years. But after Kamila sat in on some of these meetings, she could clearly see that Rohan actually wanted Dad to know what was going on with the company that still carried his name. Kamila was eternally grateful for that. No one—not Dad’s old friends, not even Zayan—was as patient with Dad as Rohan. He made Dad feel valued.

“Good,” Kamila said. “If Dad is happy, I’m happy.” She stretched her legs and rested her feet on the coffee table. “Darcy, you didn’t even get up when I came in.”

Rohan chuckled, then looked down at Darcy. “I have a feeling this sweater she’s wearing cost more than yours.”

“Marginally, yes, it did. Why exactly are you still here, Rohan?” She remembered what Asha had said—was Rohan lonely?

He leaned forward, his relaxed pose disappearing. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. I’d planned to go to the climbing gym, but…you were so worried about this physical.”

Had she told him she was worried? She had told Asha, but not Rohan. But then again, Rohan knew, maybe more than anyone, why Kamila should be scared. “If he doesn’t pass his blood tests…” Her voice trailed.

“You’re worried it could trigger another depressive episode.”

“It could.” Bad news…unexpected news, was always a little bit harder for Dad to cope with. And since both his wife and his best friend had died of heart disease, health-related bad news was extra tricky. Last year’s physical had needed a few extra cognitive behavioral therapy sessions for his anxiety, and his test results had all been fine. But the readings on his home blood pressure monitor had been high for the last few months. He’d tried taking Darcy for long walks and enthusiastically enjoying the heart-healthy food Kamila prepared for him, when it wasn’t charred to a crisp, that is. But was that enough?

“I think he’ll be fine,” Rohan said. “He seems to be in a good place. Emerald is growing. He’s even updated the office.”

She grinned proudly. “The growth at Emerald? That’s all me, not him. And the redesign, too. I’m trying to convince him that I can handle things alone if he goes part-time.” Dad was still resistant, though. Ugh…she wished she’d secured the Nirvana Lotus account. That would have convinced Dad to reduce his hours.

Rohan nodded. “I’ve seen your client list. You’ve done well. I’m impressed.”

Kamila raised her hands in the air. “It’s an autumn miracle—Rohan Nasser complimented me! Praise be to our queen Beyoncé!”

He smirked as he leaned back on the sofa.