Page 62 of Always Almost You

“We’ve been having such a good time talking,” she glanced at their empty plates, “and eating, that I didn’t notice how crowded it’s gotten.”

“Mandy told me two hundred twenty people RSVP’d,” Kathy said.

“Wow,” the woman said. “That’s quite a party.”

Kathy nodded. “I wanted to make sure you were all right,” she said to Lauren. “Our babysitter was an hour late, so we didn’t arrive when we expected to. I was worried you might be sitting here all by your lonesome.”

Lauren gestured toward the couple. “They took me in at the buffet line.”

“And we’ve been fast friends ever since,” the husband added.

Kathy gave Lauren an approving glance. “I’m so glad to hear it.”

“This spread is fabulous,” Lauren said. “Are you going to eat?”

Kathy nodded. “Jake has our plates and is hunting for a place to sit somewhere over there.” She pointed toward a cluster of tables near the pool house.

“Then you’d better go find him,” Lauren said. “And don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“Will do,” Kathy said. Then she added with a grin, “But don’t forget. I want to introduce you to Mike Miller tonight.”

Lauren nodded with mild resignation. “It’s only a little after ten. You’ve got plenty of time. Now go find Jake and enjoy your dinner.”

Mike drove around the block twice before finally finding a parking spot along the curb two streets away. As he walked toward his friend’s house, he pulled up the nanny cam app on his phone.

Buddy was still on the sofa where Mike had left him, but he wasn’t asleep as Mike had hoped. The pup was frozen in a half-seated position, chest lifted, head tilted sharply to one side, and ears pricked. He was alert, not relaxed.

Mike slowed his pace. For a moment, he considered turning around and driving home. Eric’s house was only three doors away now. And Buddy wasn’t barking or howling. He was just watching, tense and uneasy.

You’ve come this far, Mike told himself. He didn’t want to disappoint his friend by being a no-show. Mike slipped the phone back into his pocket and picked up his pace.

He had been inside Eric and Samantha’s house many times before and had always admired the spectacular job Eric had done designing it, and the stunning way Mandy had decorated it. But he had never seen it like this. Every light was on. Music floated through the rooms. Laughter and conversation filled the air as guests drifted from one space to another. The house seemed built for this moment. It was a home that loved to throw a party.

Mike navigated through the crowd and strolled into the backyard, where the outdoor kitchen and buffet tables had been arranged. He served himself a few things from the spread, then retreated to a quiet spot. A low retaining wall near the edge of the patio offered a perfect vantage point where he could eat and observe the party without being swallowed by it. He had just popped a stuffed mushroom into his mouth when Eric rounded the corner and nearly collided with him.

“You came!” Eric said.

Mike transferred his plate to his left hand and shook Eric’s with his right. “I did,” Mike said with a grin. “This is a fantastic party. Thanks for keeping me on the guest list.”

Eric chuckled. “I knew we’d wear you down one of these days.”

Mike nodded toward the crowd. “What are you doing over here?”

Eric shrugged. “These big parties are more Mandy’s thing than mine. Sometimes I need to step away and breathe for a minute.”

“I get that,” Mike said.

They stood silently together while Mike finished eating and Eric enjoyed the brief calm. Their peaceful pause ended when Mandy appeared around the corner. “There you are,” she said to her husband. Then she stopped when she saw Mike. “Well, as I live and breathe,” she laughed. “You actually came.”

Mike set his plate on the wall again and leaned in as they exchanged quick cheek kisses.

“I hate to interrupt the two of you,” she said, “but we’ve got a situation with the bartender, and I need to steal Eric away.”

“Of course,” Mike said.

Eric gave Mike’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll call you this week. We need to schedule lunch and catch up.”

“Sounds good.”