“All relationships are because someone wants something. Companionship, support, sexual release, whatever. Anyway, Dane’s a bit awkward. I think it’s charming that he was intimidated by meeting the great Rohan Nasser and wasn’t as subtle as everyone else with their kissing up to you.”

“Not everyone. I’m not sure you’re capable of subtle, and you never kiss my ass.”

Kamila cocked her head and chuckled. “You and me.” She reached out and ran her finger across his bearded cheek. “We’re beyond fake butt kissing. When we kiss each other’s rear ends, it’s completely honest. That’s why we’re such great friends.”

He shook his head, laughing. “Yes, Kam, you’re right. And that’s why you keep my life interesting.”

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Dad was in front of the TV when Kamila got home, watching a food reality show.

“What show is this?” she asked, picking up Darcy and scratching her ear.

“Home Cooking Showdown.” His eyes didn’t leave the screen. “Where were you? You missed dinner. There is so much biryani left.”

“Yeah, I told you. I ate with Rohan.” She stood watching the show for a few minutes. “Is the show any good?”

“My old friend told me about it—his daughter won the finals last year. He won’t stop talking about how proud he is. He says he has the most talented daughters in the world, but he’s wrong. Mine are.”

Kamila stood watching his eyes as he watched the show. This was troubling—she told Dad she was eating with Rohan. Dad was absentminded the last time he had a mental health episode. She should have come home for dinner. But his eyes looked okay. He was completely focused on the woman on the screen making what looked like cabbage soup. “I’m going to the basement to do a run-through of Darcy’s routine for the puppy prom. But then do you want to go though some recipe books to figure out what to eat for the rest of the week?”

“Sounds fine,” Dad said.

Kamila went downstairs to practice with Darcy.

Her dog was in one of her rare accommodating moods, so Kamila got three rounds of the routine in before a tennis ball proved to be infinitely more interesting. After making a heart-healthy meal plan with Dad, taking a shower, blow-drying her hair, and completing her seven-step skin-care routine, it was past eleven thirty. She quickly edited and uploaded a video of Darcy dancing on TikTok and cross-posted to Instagram, then put away her phone and turned on her e-reader.

Kamila’s text tone rang a few minutes later. She glanced at her phone, fully intending to not respond until tomorrow.

But it was Rohan. The text on the screen said, I have the answer to your problem. I could… And then the text cut off.

Ha, problem. Kamila had way more than just one problem right now. She unlocked her phone.