“Well, even if I didn’t get those big clients,” Kamila said, “Dad has to see that I can take on more at Emerald. I have signed three new clients recently, got two comped shellac manicures, and a stunning balayage hair treatment in the last month alone.” She pulled her long hair from behind her back and ran her fingers through it. Kamila’s hair was one of her best features and she loved to show it off since she worked so hard on it. Past halfway down her back, it had a natural wave she could coax into a curl if she used a diffuser, and it was a deep, rich brown that lightened to golden chestnut at the ends.

“I have no idea what those things are, Kam.”

“That’s fine. You don’t need to keep up with nail and hair-color trends. One of my new clients is a tattoo studio who is looking to open a new location. I got a tattoo.”

That seemed to interest him. “Really? Where?”

She pulled her hair into a messy bun on the top of her head. “That’s a personal question, Mr. Nasser.” She leaned closer to him to inspect the new scruff on his face again. “Speaking of hair, I think your beard is growing in salt-and-pepper. You really are embracing the old-man vibe, aren’t you?”

He chuckled, running his hand over his chin. In actuality, Kamila saw it as a good thing that he’d have a heavy dose of salt in his black-pepper facial hair. She loved a silver fox and had no doubt the gray would suit him.

“Do you still approve?” he asked.

“I do,” Kamila said, smiling. “Very distinguished. So, you still going to go climb walls for no real reason?”

“You trying to get rid of me, Kam?”

She settled in next to him, curling her legs under herself. “Nope. Stay here and veg with me on the couch. We can split my salad.”

“We got one for me, too.”

“Good.” She plucked the TV remote from him and restarted the movie. “I’ll even watch this movie with you. I don’t think I’ve seen it.”

“You should show it this week for Bollywood night.”

“I told you, I already picked the next movie. I need to stay with a romance. I’m hoping to inspire love for some friends.” She intended to invite Dane this week, so she needed to set the stage for his perfect meet-cute with Maricel, to wash away the memory of Byte trying to bite her butt.

Kamila was in the mood to make others fall in love.

*  *  *

After they ate their salads (which turned out to be fancy ones with grilled ahi tuna and sesame dressing—totally Rohan’s doing), Rohan left for his downtown condo. Kamila finally was able to talk to Dad about the doctor’s appointment while they were having hibiscus tea after dinner.