“Okay. I did some market research, and I think this plan is competitive. Your overhead isn’t much, since dog training doesn’t need a lot of special equipment, but rent is going to be high in most neighborhoods that have a lot of dogs. Did your aunt agree to come on board to sew dog clothes to sell, too?”

Maricel nodded. “Oh yes—I forgot! I have some samples for Darcy.” She handed Kamila a plastic bag. Kamila opened it to see a tiny doggie jean jacket and a Hawaiian print shirt.

“Eeee!” Kamila squealed. “These are amazing. Yes, you have to sell these. I’ll help boost them on my socials…They’ll be flying off the shelves. For locations, any interest in going farther east? There is a grant you can apply for for new businesses by women of color in Scarborough. Also, I was thinking—this might be premature—but if this goes well, we should approach venture capitalists to expand. Pet services are such a growing market.”

This was fun. Kamila always felt energized when strategizing business plans with a client, and it was extra special when that client was a friend. If everything went well when she introduced Maricel to Dane, even better. Kamila was using her magic as a business consultant and accountant and as a matchmaker for such a good cause—to make her friend happy. They talked more about the financial needs of the start-up while eating what turned out to be excellent beef noodle soup. She made a mental note to bring Rohan here one day—this dish was right up his alley.

*  *  *

Kamila worked from home on Friday, and after immersing herself in spreadsheets for half the day, she started preparing for Bollywood-and-biryani night. She cleaned her whole house until it smelled acrid lemony. Then she lit some incense to get rid of the acrid smell, resulting in a patchouli-citrus scent. She put out some Indian-print throw cushions she’d found while clothes shopping with Maricel after their dinner and scattered some candles about. Finally, she put out big golden bowls of huge magenta gerbera daisies.

Along with Asha, Nicole, Dane, and Maricel, she was also expecting Tim and his husband, Jerome, Brit from the dog park (but alas, not her husband, Justin, since the baby was teething), the woman who colored Kamila’s hair last week, and two friends from her former book club. And, of course, Rohan.

Dad came down the stairs as she was putting jewel-toned coasters on every horizontal surface in the room. He was in a suit, jacket draped over his arm and tie hanging over his neck. Dressed for Friday-night prayers at Jamatkhana, the Ismaili Muslim place of worship.

“It looks lovely in here, Kamila. New pillows?”

“Yeah. I got them at a store that makes home decor out of saris.”

“Your mother used to do all this work for parties, too.”