“I dunno.” She scratched Potato’s ear.
“Kamila, Rohan doesn’t want a relationship with someone he works with. Your plan means you won’t be working with him.”
Kamila shook her head. “That isn’t why I’m doing this.”
“I know. But this is still an opportunity.”
“No, Asha, it’s not. The fact…” She gulped. “The fact that he offered me that partnership in his firm in the first place means he doesn’t see me that way. I’m not going to push for something that isn’t there. Not with someone so connected to my family. I can’t risk it.”
“So, that’s it, then?”
Kamila nodded, then put her head down, burying it in Potato’s fur. “How am I going to survive without him?”
“Rohan or Potato?”
Kamila exhaled. “Potato. Actually…Rohan. Both.”
“Kamila.” Asha shook her head in wonder. “I honestly never thought it was possible thatyoucould fall so hard. I should have known the queen of casual was actually the biggest, most romantic, feeling-y person around. I mean, you’re a hopeless romantic with your friends and in your movie choices. I’ve just never seen it in your relationships before.”
Kamila frowned. “Feeling-y? Is that a word?”
“Shush. Let it be known I think you should tell him how you feel. But I get it. This is yourfamily. If you think it would be too destructive, I’ll respect that and leave you be. Three or four more Bollywood Heartbreak Recovery by Eating Ice Cream nights and you’ll be good as new.”
Kamila doubted it would be that easy to get over him. This was Rohan Nasser.
After a few more Potato snuggles, Kamila left him with the attendant. She had an idea as they were making their way back to the main hall. There was no reason she had to lose both Rohan and Potato at the same time.
“Asha, what ifIadopted Potato?”
“You want another dog?”
Kamila smiled. This was a perfect idea. “Why not? Dad is moving. Darcy and I will be lonely at home. Maybe ‘Heartbreak Recovery by Getting a Puppy’ is the answer.”
Asha grinned. “I think it’s a wonderful idea.” She pulled out her phone. “Derek, the adoption coordinator, isn’t here yet, but I’m telling him to put a hold on the beige puppy for you. I know your application will go through fine.”
Kamila smiled. This going after what she wanted was easier than she thought it would be.
Chapter 27
The puppy prom started out as a rousing success. The lively Bollywood dance hits accompanied by a cacophony of barking and howling dogs were the perfect soundtrack to the boisterous canine activities and delicious food for both humans and dogs. The pups loved the dog dance lessons, and the humans especially appreciated the photo booth made to look like a mehndi tent with Indian accessory photo props for both people and pets. Asha proclaimed it to be the best puppy prom yet, outshining even last year’s fancy tea party.
But all through it, Kamila was on edge. It was harder to put on her happy, not-an-emotional-wreck face than it was yesterday. Probably because all she could think about was Dad’s meeting with Rohan. She was looking, probably forlornly, at the plate of momos, when someone tapped her arm. She grinned when she saw who it was. “Jana! You made it! And you brought…Anil?”
“I wanted to see the famous dog prom in person,” he said.
Kamila raised a brow at Jana. Jana bringing Anil to the prom meant she’d spoken to him in the few hours since she’d left Kamila’s house. Jana gave Kamila a look that said,This doesn’t mean what you think it does. Meanwhile, Anil was sporting his happy-puppy look again. At least he fit in.
“Well, I’m glad you came. Let me show you guys around. Jana, you especially—I need to show you the adoption room.”
As she was trying to convince Jana and Anil that they absolutely needed to get a picture in the photo booth wearing basset hound ears, Asha approached them, Darcy in her arms. She handed Kamila her dog. “You’re on in ten.”
Kamila kissed Darcy on the head. “Let’s get your costume on. Your fans await. Don’t forget, Asha—I need you to film the whole thing so I can get some footage for TikTok.”
“I know. Tim and I are both going to record it so you have two angles.”
The performance started well. Darcy skipped, spun, and twirled to the Bollywood dance song, while Kamila gave her hand and voice commands. The tricky bits, like when Darcy wove figure eights through Kamila’s legs—no easy feat, considering Kamila was wearing a sari—or when she jumped through the golden hula hoop, were executed flawlessly. Darcy kept in time to the music, her four little feet tapping enthusiastically as she danced around the stage.
Kamila wished she could feed off the audience’s energy during the song because she herself had little energy reserves. But she had to maintain eye contact with her dog the whole time so Darcy would understand this was obedience time, not playtime. Kamila had no idea if the crowd was enjoying the performance or looking incredulous because she was dancing with a dog—in public.
