“Bless you,” she responded.
“It’s a Tunisian breakfast dish. Not a sneeze.”
Kamila rolled her eyes. “I know what shakshuka is. I was making a joke.”
“Oh. Can you slice the bread? It’s on the table.”
She fetched the loaf and grabbed her bread knife. The bread was high-quality multigrain, with a crisp crust and tender crumb.
“Where did this come from?” she asked.
“I ran out to the bakery early. It’s whole grain, so, good for your father. We can show your dad that healthy breakfasts can be full of flavor. And not on fire.”
She decided not to take the bait of his teasing. “Did you know he got his test results yesterday?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not until Jana mentioned it. I figured we could ambush him together with this meal.”
Kamila looked over at him as he covered his pot of sauce. He was the same. Kind, caring, and teasing her. Acting as a united front in caring for Dad. This breakfast was Rohan being Rohan. Taking care of them.
Was that why he’d gone to see Jana before the movie? Just Rohan being kind to another old friend? Or was Tim’s suspicion true, and Rohan had caught feelings for the most flawless person in their families’ social circle? It made sense—Jana was beautiful, brilliant, and (puke) accomplished. Rohan was smart, handsome, and successful. And now legally single—which he hadn’t been the last time Jana was here.
Fancy people, as Tim put it. As a person with a matchmaking hobby, the potential match was undeniable.
But Jana was cold. Reserved. Kamila couldn’t imagine herintenselyinto anyone. And despite Rohan’s cool-as-a-cucumber corporate persona, Kamila happened to know he had a bit of a wild side. There was some serious passion under those designer suits. He liked his movies steamy, and he could make someone’s toes curl with one touch. And he kissed with his whole body. Kamila had seen that side of him once. But that was a long time ago, and she didn’t like to think about it too much. For reasons.
No. Rohan would be wasted on someone like Jana.
“Don’t bother toasting the bread,” he said, smirking. “Let’s not risk your shiny new toaster, eh?”
“Smart bum.”
He snorted. “Your dad’s not even here. You’re allowed to swear in front of me.”
She gave him a pointed look. “You realize I don’t swear in front ofanyone, right?”
He laughed as he crumbled feta with his hands. “It’s sometimes hard to believe you’re the same person as the kid I grew up with,” he said. “I’m five years older than you, and I think youtaughtme my most colorful profanity. So, you’ve had shakshuka, then? I haven’t wowed you with something new?”
She pulled down her wood baguette platter board and put the now-sliced bread on it. “Did you really think you could find anything I’ve never experienced? I’ve had shakshuka at that North African brunch place downtown. I didn’t know you could make it, though, or I would have come to your place instead. For some reason I seem to enjoy your flavor of patronizing hipster better than most.”
“I’m not patronizing. And hardly a hipster.”
Kamila leaned over to pat his shoulder. “Yeah, you’re patronizing. You are more stuck-up preppy than hipster, though.” She eyed him head to toe exaggeratedly. “Although,look at youtoday. Mr. Buttoned-Up is in a hoodie, and are thoseblue jeans? Dressing like the proletariat?”
He shook his head, laughing.
“Where’s Dad?” she asked.
“Still sleeping, I assume.”
Darcy started scratching at the back door, ready to be brought in, so Kamila opened the door and dried off her dog with a towel. “I wish it would stop raining,” she said. It was so gloomy, and her headache wasn’t easing. She sat on the floor and hugged her dog close. Even while smelling like wet dog, Darcy was a comfort.
Dad came down the stairs at that moment. “It’s raining hard out there. I hope the roof holds. Maybe we should call the townhouse board?”
“It will be fine, Dad. The roof was done six months ago, remember?”
“Yes, but I think they did it wrong. With so many vents and peaks—it’s so easy to overlap the shingles backward. I’ll—”
“Dad.” She got up and led him to the dining table. “Don’t worry so much. Come, sit. Rohan made breakfast. It looks delicious.”
