Darcy was eager to run out and see her dog friends and was pulling on her leash, so Kamila lifted the dog in her hand. Not knowing where to leave her bag and Rohan’s gift, she headed back down the small hallway, hoping there was a coatroom past the elevator. But instead of finding a coatroom, she walked right into a hard wall.

Wait, not a wall. A person. Rohan. When did he become so solid? Strong. She wavered, losing balance.

“Kam!” he yelped, putting his hands out to steady her. One hand landed on her upper arm and the other on her waist. He held her firmly until the risk of falling on her butt passed. Darcy took advantage of Kamila’s wobbles and hopped to the floor, jumping up and down at Rohan’s feet, probably assuming he had a samosa or a pakora in his pocket for her.

Once steady, Kamila laughed and stepped back out of Rohan’s grip. She looked at him. Actually, she did a double take. He looked so…different. Not his clothes—although he was dressed a bit more casual than normal. His slim black pants were a touch shorter than ones he normally wore, showing off naked ankles and casual loafers. His fitted plum-colored dress shirt had two buttons open and no tie to be seen, and the sleeves were rolled up his forearms. But really, a dress shirt with dark pants was what he always wore, so why would this look so different today? Maybe his hair? Nope. Trimmed tight and close to his head on the sides and back, with more length highlighting his natural wave on top. Plus, of course, that appealing graying at the temples and on his beard. She grinned when she realized what was different. He was smiling hugely, all the way to his eyes. He had a lightness to his posture. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him this relaxed.

“Whoops. Thanks, Rohan,” Kamila said, flipping her ponytail behind her shoulder and standing straight.

He gave her a kiss on each cheek. Very fancy.

“Mm…” she said, smiling. “You smell good.” She pointed outside. “It looks fabulous out there.”

“It’s no Kamila Hussain party. But I do what I can.” He frowned at her. “What are you wearing? Didn’t I say no theme?”

She looked down at herself. “I don’t look good?”

“You look great. It’s just…out of character. I was just getting some drinks. What would you like?” He headed behind the bar.

“What do you have?”

“Italian sodas, juice, beer. Red and white wine.”

She wasn’t hosting, so why not? “Red wine, please.”