Rohan turned to Jana. “I heard you know Anil?”
Jana made a snooty face. “Yes, a little. Our paths crossed in Washington a few times. I was required to be there every few months as part of my position. I believe Anil was looking for American donors for his project then, but I was also meeting with investors for my own initiative.”
“Oooh, you have an initiative?” Tim asked. “Anything you can tell us about?”
“I’ve been working on a start-up for software servicing the nonprofit sector.”
Kamila looked at Jana. “A do-gooding software start-up?”
She nodded. “It’s like a job-search interface, except it’s to connect volunteers to volunteer opportunities.”
“What a brilliant idea. I’m sure it will be successful,” Dad said.
Kamila didn’t doubt it would be. Jana touched it, so her venture would turn to gold.
Jana nodded. “I think it’s a viable opportunity. I am confident I can acquire the skills I need outside my areas of expertise. I feel it’s important for me to challenge myself so I don’t grow stagnant in my field.”
“Yes,” Rohan said. “There is nothing I respect more than someone willing to expand their mind in new and innovative ways.”
Vomit.
Jana nodded. “I’d like to stay close to home for a while, but imagination and innovation are muscles that can atrophy like any others. And I must use my energy to make a positive impact on the world. When I see people wrapped up in the exploits of the Kardashians or whoever the hottest Bollywood actor has been seen with, I wonder if those mental resources could be used for the greater good instead.”
God. Kamilareallydisliked this woman.
“You’re absolutely right,” Asha said, nodding. “I can connect you with some classmates of mine in nonprofit management. Even the volunteer coordinator at the shelter. They might be able to help you with a needs assessment for your project.”
Ugh. Her best friend, too? Kamila tuned them out as they talked, picking up the snack bowls from around the room.
“What’s this incubator project about anyway?” Nicole asked.
Rohan smiled. “It’s the brainchild of an old college friend of mine, Anil. It’s to help business start-ups get off the ground, focusing specifically on new immigrants and refugees. He has an innovative partnership structure for companies to donate both time and money to the project.”
Jana loudly dropped a glass, but since this was Jana the Great, it didn’t break. Why was she still cleaning? Probably to make herself look perfect. Kamila took the glasses from Jana’s hands.
“Oh, interesting,” Asha said.
Rohan nodded. “The initial committee is only fundraising now, though.” He looked at Jana. “Sorry to hear you won’t be working with us. I’d love to have an old friend on the team with me.”
“I am not able to work with Anil on this,” Jana said curtly. “I cannot risk extinguishing the growth on my project now.”
Too bad Dane was gone, because he’d feel right at home with Jana’s pretentious jargon.
“Hey, Kamila, why don’t you volunteer for this incubator!” Asha said suddenly. “You’d be so perfect for it.”
Kamila’s head shot around to her so-called best friend. “What?”
“Sure—you’re great at fundraising.” Asha looked at the others in the room. “She’s chairing the puppy prom this year.”
Asha gave Kamila a pointed look—one Kamila understood. Helping businesses get off the ground was exactly the kind of thing Kamila loved—and volunteering for this incubator could give Kamila the cachet she needed to get bigger clients and more credibility.
Jana raised one eyebrow. “But are refugees glamorous enough for Kamila? I don’t think there will be any fluffy dogs involved.”
Rohan snorted a laugh at Jana’s dig.
Kamila’s head shot to look at Rohan. That hurt. Jana’s comment wasn’t really a surprise. But Rohan laughed. Did he really think she cared only about glamour and fluffy dogs? Volunteering at the shelter was the furthest thing from glamorous. Until she ended up on the prom committee, she spent most of her time there cleaning up poo.
Asha, a peacemaker down to her bones, tried to defuse the tension in the room. “Uncle,” she said to Dad. “Did you try this Burmese coconut cake Rohan brought? Come, let me get you a slice.”
