“Trouble on Bay Street?” Kamila asked as she plugged the unit in.
“Nah. How’s your finger?”
She held up her fully healed index finger. “I’m once again flawless. Just how you like me.”
He snorted before swiping another pakora from her perfect platter and sharing it with Darcy. Great—now the dog would be following him around all night. Which, to be honest, she’d probably be doing anyway. Darcy had taste.
Chapter 4
Helping Maricel buy a new outfit for the party had clearly been a brilliant idea, because Kamila’s young friend turned every head in the room at Bollywood-and-biryani night. Especially, to Kamila’s utter delight, Dane’s. In high-waisted navy trousers, a soft floral silk T-shirt, and hair in cascading curling-iron waves, it was no wonder Maricel had the tech bro’s undivided attention during dinner. Kamila kept an eye on the budding lovebirds while making sure everyone’s plates were full of biryani, samosas, pakoras, and spring rolls.
She was spooning more biryani from the foil tray onto her magenta platter when Rohan, followed closely by Darcy, came to get seconds.
“Are you giving my dog fried food again?” Kamila asked.
“What? No. She’s still following me, though.”
“Of course she is. You’re her one true love forever. Having a good time?”
“Always.”
“You didn’t take any fish pakoras. They’re your favorite.” She placed two on his plate.
“I know. I ate six before anyone else got here.” He nodded toward Maricel on the sofa. “I like what you did with Maricel. You’ve turned her into a young Kamila.”
“Hardly. I’m short waisted. I could never pull off those pants. Anyway, she’s not that young. She’s going to be a pet obedience-school tycoon, you know. If her business takes off, I’ll need you to introduce us to your venture capitalist friends.” Kamila put the spoon down and reached up to smooth the lapels on his jacket. “You know, my parties don’t have a jacket-required dress code. I should take you shopping. You need some new casual wear.”
“I have plenty of casual wear.”
“Then why aren’t you wearing it?” She moved to straightening his tie.
He swayed forward a bit and lifted his chin, letting Kamila work. On a whim, instead of adjusting the crooked knot, she pulled it open, slowly sliding the silk through the high thread-count shirt collar. He said nothing, but one corner of his lip upturned. Eyes never leaving his, she slowly folded the tie and placed it on the nearby end table. Biting her lip, she inspected him without it. Better, but not there yet. Slowly, she unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. A small shudder escaped his lips as her hands came into contact with the skin on his neck. Was Rohan ticklish? She smiled widely. “There,” she said.
His chin dipped. “I meet your exacting standards, now?”
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 inToronto Businessmagazine. 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?
“Ihadto 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.”
