“Kam, this is too much information.”

“No, it’s not. We’re close friends. Anyway, you’d tell me if you were seeing someone, right? Or if you were hooking up?”

It wouldn’t bother her if it was just a hookup. Because this hypothetical hookup wasn’t getting in the way of her friendship with him. Or his relationship with her father.

So, it was fine—100 percent.

“Kamila,” Rohan said firmly, “if I was dating someone, do you think she’d be okay with me sleeping over at your house once a week, texting you several times a day, and now video calling you at almost midnight?”

“I should hope she’d be okay with it. We’re friends! We need to talk about your hypothetical paramours, Rohan. This one seems a little insecure. You can do better.”

“Good night, Kam.”

She smiled, stretching her legs out and resting her head back on her pillow. “Good night, Rohan. I’ll talk to you soon about the tzhujing efforts.”

He chuckled. “Looking forward to it.”

“Excellent,” she said, but she didn’t disconnect the call. He didn’t, either. They watched each other for a few seconds.

“And Kam,” he finally said, “you were the first and the last. Sleep well.” He finally disconnected.

Kamila smiled to herself as she put her phone on her nightstand and turned off the light.

She read her book for maybe five minutes when she sat up with a start. How exactly did Rohan know Rashida was having a dinner party on Friday? Dad would have mentioned it if he’d known while they were meal planning. There was only one explanation—Rohan was still secretly talking to Jana.

Fuddle butt.

*  *  *

Kamila stopped in at the shelter after work on Wednesday to drop off some grant applications for Maricel to sign. She waited in the puppy room for her friend to finish her shift.

The puppies were growing well and were very popular with the shelter staff and volunteers. Potato wasn’t nearly as timid as he used to be, and while he still wasn’t as lively as the other puppies, his affectionate, sweet personality made up for it in spades. He was small but silly, with a plump little round belly. The name Potato was utterly perfect for him. Kamila was kissing his ears when the door to the enclosure opened.

“Maricel!” Kamila said when her friend entered. “Did you see Potato’s new belly?”

“He’s always stealing food from the others.”

“That’s my boy.” Kamila kissed Potato’s nose. “I can’t believe how much he’s grown in just a few weeks.”

“They’re doing well,” Maricel said. She picked up one of the black puppies. “This one is a biter, though. We think she needs to spend more time with people.” Maricel sat on the floor of the enclosure and gently scolded the puppy for biting her fingers.