“I’m proud of you, Kamila. I always was, but today, I’m extra proud.”
***
Kamila sent Jana home after brunch, but not before giving her a free ticket to the puppy prom. “If we’re going to try to be friends, you’re going to have to learn to love dogs.”
Jana chuckled, taking the ticket. “Fine. I’m curious about this dog-dancing thing anyway.”
“We can do a duet next year.”
Jana snorted as she left.
As soon as Jana left, Kamila called Asha to tell her everything that had happened since she last saw her at the Dogapalooza. She knew they wouldn’t have much time to chat at the prom, and she couldn’t exactly not talk to her best friend when so much was going on. But she kept it brief, and after the call, Kamila started getting ready for the prom. Thousands of thoughts swirled through her mind as she put on her sari and did her hair and makeup, but she felt really good about how the conversation with Dad went. He listened—really listened. And best of all, he agreed.
But knowing Dad was now telling Rohan about her plan brought her stomach butterflies back at full speed. There was no question Rohan would be upset. Both because she was taking Emerald from him, and because she went to Dad with her proposal instead of him. But Kamila wanted her own future more than she wanted to please Rohan. Especially since Rohan had made it clear he didn’t see her as anything more than a friend.
Kamila and Darcy headed to the old church an hour before the party was to start. Thankfully, it had stopped raining, so Kamila was less worried about her hair. Tim and Asha were already there, setting up the decorations with some of the shelter staff.
Asha kissed Kamila’s cheek. “That sari is to die for. I can’t believe you can dance in it.”
“Darcy does most of the work. My role is just walking with style,” Kamila said, putting Darcy down then patting the top of Lizzy’s head. Lizzy was decked out for the occasion, too, fully clean and poufy, and with an Indian-print scarf around his neck. Asha herself was wearing an elaborate lehenga in a deep purple. “You look awesome, too.”
Asha shrugged. “Nice to get some use out of our wedding clothes. Nicole’s wearing the salwar kameez she wore at my mehndi ceremony.”
Looking around the space, Kamila could see that there was very little left to do. Jewel-tone streamers had been hung on the walls, along with huge arrangements of colorful roses donated from a local florist. The food was being laid out on wide copper-and-brass platters. Bollywood music was already being piped through the old church’s PA system.
“It looks fantastic in here. What can I do?”
“Not much. Rest up before your dance. How are you doing?” Asha tilted her head sympathetically.
Kamila sighed. “I’m emotionally…exhausted.” She’d been pretty giddy and optimistic earlier, but everything happening at once felt like too much now.
“Probably physically, too. You didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Kamila sighed. “Yeah. I’ll put my happy face on again in a minute. I’ll manage today.”
“Of course you will, sweetheart.” Asha rubbed Kamila’s back. “But…you’re going through a lot. Your dad moving. Running a business alone. Rohan. It’s okay to be overwhelmed. You need time to process it all.” She looked around. “Tim can handle things here for a bit. I think we need to visit the puppy sanctuary.”
Kamila raised a brow. “Puppy sanctuary?”
“C’mon.” After asking Tim to keep an eye on Lizzy and Darcy, Asha led Kamila down a small hallway off the back of the main room. “That’s what we’re calling the adoption room.”
Asha opened the door, and Potato immediately looked up from his spot resting near the window and bolted to Kamila. She reached down and picked him up quickly before the puppy’s claws could ruin her sari.
“Potato!” she squealed as the puppy desperately tried to lick her face. She put her hand near his mouth to spare her makeup. “Look at you!” Potato had obviously been cleaned and groomed, and was wearing a regal purple-and-gold-print bow tie. Kamila nuzzled her face on his soft head. “Aw, my sweet baby is all grown. You look so dapper.” Her shoulders slumped. There was no question someone was going to fall in love with this puppy and put in an application to adopt him today. A few days ago, that was fine with Kamila. But now it only made her sad.
“So, have you heard how your dad’s meeting with Rohan went?” Asha asked.
Kamila shrugged. “They’re probably still together.”
“What do you think Rohan will say?”
That was the million-dollar question, right? “I don’t know. If he’s considering the bottom line only, I think he’ll refuse to give up Emerald. Or at least renegotiate for some ownership in it.”
“But this is Rohan—he’s not going to only think about the bottom line. I think he’ll agree.”
“He’s probably going to be annoyed I didn’t tell him myself and just made Dad do it.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
