She patted his shoulder. “You weren’t that far off, but I only want the best for my friends. Come, you should get to know Dane.” She pulled Rohan toward the sofa, where Dane and Maricel were looking at something in Maricel’s hand.

“Hey, you two. Dane, did you meet Rohan? He’s an old family friend.”

Dane stood quickly. “Yes, Rohan Nasser.” He shot his hand out. “I read your profile in Toronto Business magazine. The branding you’ve done with your firm is impressive.”

“Um, thank you.”

“I’m a small-business owner myself. I’m launching a technology start-up. We should talk. I’d love to pick your brain on how—”

“What do you have there?” Kamila interrupted as she perched on the armrest and looked at what turned out to be a photograph in Maricel’s hand. “Oh! It’s from the dog park!”

It was clearly taken last week, when Maricel had been struggling to contain Xena’s antics. Kamila’s head was tilted down in the picture, looking at Maricel with concern, while Maricel was focused completely on the demon dog. The sun illuminating Maricel’s face highlighted her cheekbones, and her hair had escaped her ponytail in loose wisps framing her face. Even Xena looked a bit less satanic in the picture. It was a striking shot.

“I didn’t realize you took this,” Kamila said. Had he been snapping a picture while his dog was snarling at Maricel?

“I had to pull out my camera when all that chaos started. I was hoping to get a viral-worthy video but got this picture instead. I printed two copies, one for you and one for your friend, but then she turned out to be here!” He smiled at Maricel, making her blush.

This setup was going altogether too well. He was absolutely captivated by Maricel.

“I didn’t realize you were into photography, too,” Dane continued. “Maricel said you had that made?” He pointed to the printed canvas on the wall. It was another one of Kamila’s photoshopped jobs—Darcy’s and Lizzy’s heads on a regency couple’s bodies to resemble their literary counterparts.

“I make the pet portraits myself! I put Tim and Jerome’s Afghans on a Pre-Raphaelite painting last month.” She took Dane’s photo from Maricel. “This is an amazing shot.”

“I think it’s one of the best photos I’ve taken. Of course, when the subjects are so easy on the eyes…” He grinned at Kamila.

Rohan leaned over and looked at the picture. “It looks overexposed. Kamila is washed out.”

Kamila waved Rohan off. “Shush, you. It’s stunning.” Grinning, she propped up the print next to a framed photo of Shelina, Zayan, Rohan, and her from Shelina’s wedding.

“These samosas are delicious,” Dane said. “You’re a talented cook.”