Kamila hugged Potato close as she walked in and kicked off her shoes. Asha was right, as always. She did need Potato tonight.
Asha gave Kamila a once-over after taking her coat. “You look terrible. What happened? Oh my god—you already know.”
“Know what?”
“The reason I called you over.”
Kamila had literally forgotten it was Asha who asked her to come over. Her mind had been racing the whole way over with five words…I’m in love with Rohan.She hadn’t thought of much else.
Kamila frowned. “Oh my god, youalsoknew about Emerald?”
“What? No. What happened to Emerald? Oh my god, is your Dad okay?”
“Ladies,” Nicole called from the other room. “You’re going to give each other whiplash. Ease up with theoh my gods. I made mulled wine.”
Smart woman, that Nicole. It was handy to have someone so levelheaded in her circle of friends. Kamila took a breath to steady herself and followed Asha to the living room. The fire was lit, and after Potato greeted Lizzy, he came back and flopped on Kamila’s foot to chew on a rope toy. Kamila picked the puppy up.
Nicole raised a brow as she placed a mug near Kamila’s seat. “You look like you’ve been crying.” She handed her a box of tissues, too.
“Yeah…I just…” She put the puppy next to her so she could take a tissue. “I’ve had a massive realization…and…fu…” Her voice trailed off as she looked at Asha, eyes welling again.
Asha took her hand. “Holy crap—this is big, Kamila. You almost swore there.”
“Actually, I just saidduck youto someone. Except I didn’t sayduck, but instead a word that rhymes with it.”
“Whoa. What the hell happened?” Asha asked.
She blinked, looking into her friend’s big eyes for strength. “I think…I…” She trembled. “I’m sorry,” she said, sniffling. “I think I’ve fallen in love with my friend.”
The room was silent. Except for the low hum of Lizzy snoring.
Asha’s eyes comically darted toward Nicole and back to Kamila. Her hand tightened on Kamila’s. “Shit. So…I didn’t know you felt this way. You know you mean a lot to me, right? But I’m married. In fact, you set me up.”
Kamila blinked, realizing what Asha was thinking. “Holy Jesus on a cracker, Asha!” She snorted a laugh, which was an unfortunate reaction while sniffling from crying. A snot bubble landed on her sweater, which made her laugh more. “Not you! I’m not in love with you, you nitwit!” She dabbed her sweater with a tissue.
Asha burst out laughing as well. “Obviously! I made you laugh, though, didn’t I?” Soon, Asha and Kamila were both giggling while Potato barked at the commotion. Lizzy even raised his head up to see what the heck was going on.
“Are you sure you’re not in love with her?” Nicole said loudly. “Because you two might be made for each other.”
Still laughing, Asha stood and went to Nicole, kissing her soundly on the lips and telling her wife exactly who was made for who in this room. She sat back down, took Kamila’s hand again, and squeezed. “But seriously, what’s going on, Kamila?”
Kamila put her head back on the sofa. “I’m…I don’t know. I thought we were friends. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him lately, and we’ve become so close…but he’s been lying to me.”
“Hold up, Kamila,” Asha said. “Before you say anything else…” She looked nervously at her wife. “I have a feeling I know who you’re talking about, but just in case it’s this other person…will you let us tell you our news first?”
Kamila scratched Potato’s ear. “Okaaay…”
Asha smiled uncomfortably, then looked at Nicole. “I think it’s best coming from you.”
Nicole nodded. “You understand doctor-patient privilege, right?”
“Of course.” Kamila frowned. What did that have to do with anything?
“Okay,” Nicole said. “There is something I’ve known for a while, but I haven’t told anyone because of doctor-patient privilege. This isn’t about an actual patient of mine, but of a colleague. Today Asha picked me up from the clinic because my car was being serviced, and a person we all know was there waiting for an ultrasound.”
“Who’s pregnant?” Kamila asked.
Asha put her hand out. “Just to make sure you know this, she, the pregnant person, knows we’re telling you this. She actually asked us to tell you. She’s showing pretty obviously, and she said she was planning to announce it soon anyway.”
