“No ring,” Tim said when Anil was being particularity animated with his hands. Tim pulled out his phone. “I’ll search up his socials.” After a few minutes, he grinned. “Bingo. He mentioned separating from his wife in an Instagram comment a few months ago.” He kept scrolling Anil’s Instagram. “Doesn’t sound too distraught about it. He’s talking about living his authentic self. He’s new in Toronto. Did you know that?”

Kamila shook her head. She couldn’t keep her eyes off the video. Anil Malek was mesmerizing. He had an open, compassionate demeanor. Friendly. He was talking about his project, specifically about lifting up immigrant communities by helping women launch small businesses. Another plus. The guy sounded pretty feminist. He was centering women in his incubator.

Maybe…maybe Kamila should be more enthusiastic about working with this project? Anil’s mandate seemed to align with hers—helping women-owned businesses. He was extremely easy on the eyes. He didn’t seem uptight at all. Plus, single.

Impressing this man meant Dad would go part-time, which would keep him healthy and help her keep Emerald. And also? Keep Rohan from spending too much time with Jana Suleiman.

She’d been determined to take over Dad’s work for this man’s project, but honestly, Kamila had been kind of dreading it. But now…she was intrigued. It could be fun to spend time with this accomplished, handsome man. Kamila was suddenly eager to meet Anil Malek. Even if it meant getting a briefcase.

She emailed Anil that night, telling him that she was taking over his nonprofit incorporation paperwork because Dad needed to take some time off. She suggested they meet to go over any other business needs he had. And she asked if he had room for a new volunteer on his fundraising committee. He wrote back Monday, saying he’d love to get together and discuss all of that. Somehow, the man was able to exude as much charm in his email as he had in the video clip. He suggested Wednesday or Friday to get together. Wednesday was no good—Dad was going to London to spend a few days with Shelina and the kids, and Kamila promised to drive him to the train station. And of course, Friday was Bollywood night. On a whim, she invited Anil to join her then, saying they could get to know each other at her dinner party, and then talk one-on-one later. He agreed.

It meant Bollywood night would have to be a little more…respectable this week. No ukulele sing-alongs. Probably no signature drink. But Kamila could be elegant and sophisticated. She was up for the challenge.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

After dropping Dad off at the train station Wednesday night for his visit with Shelina, Kamila found some time to do some research on Anil so she’d be ready to wow him on Friday.