“Pom-pom tassels! They’re decorative throw pillows! For your bed. These are called bolsters and they’ll give you back and arm support if you’re sitting up in bed…so they’re not just for show on your bed. They’re functional!”
Kamila clamped her mouth shut to stop the rambling. How many times had she just saidbed?
She’d looked long and hard to find the perfect accessory for Rohan’s bedroom, even after seeing it for only a few minutes on her phone screen. These pillows were mostly gray, so that went with his bedding. But they had deep emerald green and gold piping, and green pom-pom tassels to add a touch of whimsy. The gift hadn’t seemed inappropriate when she’d bought it.
But that was before she’d had a near religious experience admiring the man’s forearms. Maybe buying him things for his bed was crossing a line.
He laughed, rubbing his hand on his beard. “Actually,shockingly, I really like these. Thank you, Kam.” He put the pillows back in the bag and hugged her for a second. She resisted the urge to inhale deeply again. What was that soap? Also, what was in this wine?
“Now, let’s get you some biryani before it gets cold.” He grabbed a tray of drinks and led Kamila and Darcy outside to the party. He pointed her in the direction of the food before leaving to deliver the drinks for the others.
Kamila was impressed with the spread. The shrimp biryani looked light, with fluffy mounds of fragrant basmati rice and plump pink shrimp dotted throughout. There were also pickled onions, cucumber raita with whole cumin seeds, and chana in a rich tomato gravy. And movie snacks, too, of course. Big bowls of chips, popcorn, and Indian snacks, along with a healthier crudités-and-fruit platter, with chaat masala to sprinkle on top. The table was decorated with large tropical leaves and fern fronds arranged around black paper plates and cutlery. There were even floral arrangements, mostly greenery, with a few striking white tropical flowers. Apparently, Rohan could tzhuj after all.
Asha joined her at the food and kissed her cheek. “It’s amazing up here, right?” she said as Kamila piled biryani on her plate.
Kamila nodded. “To be honest, I didn’t know Rohan had this in him. I’m a little worried he did all this to upstage my parties.”
Asha tilted her head in a knowing gesture. “Seriously, Kamila? He did all this toimpressyou, not upstage you.” She frowned. “What are you wearing?”
Kamila waved her friend’s question off. “Well, color me impressed. This is a wonderful new side to Rohan. Being all social and gracious. He’ll be competing with Anil for who can be the most charming tonight.”
“Nah, I think Anil will win that one. He was all gallant rescuing prince before you got here. Maricel nearly face-planted tripping on the projector cable, and Anil caught her in less than a second.”
“Really?” She looked at Maricel—who was standing near the projector, animatedly talking to Dane. She was wearing the pink-and-gray sweater Kamila had suggested. “How long has she been talking to Dane? He looks entranced.”
Asha shrugged. “Not long. But speaking of entranced, Anil’s been asking when you’d get here.”
Kamila grinned. “Has he? Well, let’s not leave my adoring fans waiting, then, shall we?”
Kamila took her plate and headed to the seating area and squeezed in next to Anil, who greeted her warmly. He was also looking good tonight—in dark jeans and a gray Henley that perfectly showed off that impressive physique.
She’d been working for the last week on the Aim High paperwork and had already started drafting the business license and incorporation papers. She didn’t know why anyone doubted she could do this job, because it was pretty straightforward and uncomplicated. And Anil had been available whenever she had a question or needed clarification on something. They’d also started texting regularly—fun little messages and jokes. He’d called her yesterday while she was at the shelter visiting Potato, so she’d sent him a picture of her favorite puppy, and they chatted about dogs and pets and life in general. Overall, they were getting along well and Kamila was happy to have a new friend/client.
“So, what did I miss?” Kamila asked.
Tim, then Jerome, were sitting on the other side of Kamila, and Asha squeezed in next to Nicole on a massive outdoor armchair. On the opposite couch, Dane, Rohan, Maricel, and Jana were sitting in that order. Kamila was disappointed to see that Dane and Maricel did not sit together when they moved to the couch, but at least Jana and Rohan weren’t sitting together either.
“Well, Maricel nearly took out the whole projector system,” Tim said. “Then Jerome and I tried to get the others to play a drinking game, but we caught a lot of resistance. Asha dropped a bombshell that she played spin the bottle with a Bollywood actor when she was fifteen and living in Mumbai, and I realized my friends are all way more interesting than I am. I mean, even this new guy you’ve brought into the fold, Kamila.” He smiled at Anil. “His accomplishments make me seem like a hermit who spends his weekends brushing his dogs, which, to be fair, I am.”
Anil laughed. “I’m not really that accomplished. I’m just a working stiff lucky enough to get assignments in some pretty amazing places.”
“This project of yours is impressive, though,” Jerome said. “It’s a great concept.”
“It is. I think it has real potential to make a difference. I’ve wanted to do something like this for a while, but the timing was never right. I’m glad I have such a great team to work for the incubator.” He squeezed Kamila’s knee fondly.
“I’m so happy to be involved!” Kamila said. “But do you think the wordincubatoris weird for this? Sounds like you’re hatching babies or something.” She paused. “Oh, I just realized that’s what Aim High will be doing—hatching small businesses. Duh!” She turned and looked at Anil. “I can’t wait to be a proud parent with you. And Rohan! Lucky little babies.”
Jana made a disparaging sound. “If nothing else, the businesses will be covered when it comes to hairstyling and head-shaving expertise, plus all the celebrity gossip they want.”
Rude. Kamila raised a brow at her. Ms. Grumpy was extra irritated tonight. Why add the crack at Anil’s minimalistic hair?
Kamila wasn’t in the mood for Jana’s patronizing now. Honestly, she was never in the mood for it. Who kept inviting Jana to Bollywood night anyway? Rohan, of course.
“What’s the drinking game?” Kamila said. “That might be fun.”
“Yeah, we should play,” Anil said. “Kamila, now that you’re here, insist they all join in with us.”
“Insist?” Jana said, narrowing her eyes at them. “Shouldyoube insisting anyone do anything? Not everyone drinks.”
