Page 60 of Always Almost You

Lauren accepted the drink. “Thank you. I’m Lauren,” she said. “Kathy’s partner at K + L Interiors.”

“Of course!” Mandy said brightly. “I’m so happy to meet you. Eric and I are thrilled you could join us tonight.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” Lauren said. “I’m happy to be here.”

“Make yourself at home,” Mandy said with a welcoming gesture. “There’s a spread of food in the dining room and another one outside by the pool at the outdoor kitchen. We’ve got three bars set up, two inside and one outside. Kathy and Jake aren’t here yet, but she texted to say they’re on their way.”

“Your home is fabulous,” Lauren said. “And you’ve thought of everything. I skipped lunch today, so I think I’ll start with the food.”

“Good plan,” Mandy said with a laugh. Then she leaned closer. “There’s someone else here tonight that Kathy and I are very eager for you to meet.”

Lauren raised an eyebrow.

“Mike Miller,” Mandy continued. “He’s Eric’s best friend from architecture school. He hasn’t arrived yet, but Kathy and I are determined that neither of you leave tonight without being introduced.”

Lauren nodded slowly. There was that name again. People certainly seemed intent on getting the two of them together. She smiled politely at her hostess. “Sure,” she said. “We’ve spoken on the phone regarding a joint client. It would be great to put a face with the name.”

A couple stepped through the doorway behind her.

“Have fun tonight, Lauren,” Mandy said. “And, by the way, you look stunning.” She turned to greet her newly arrived guests as Lauren moved deeper into the house.

Mike arrived home later than he’d expected on New Year’s Eve day. He fed Buddy his dinner, then let the dog race around the backyard while he assembled the large crate he’d ordered online. Once that was done, he installed the nanny cams he’d purchased earlier in the week: one in the kitchen, one in the family room, and one in his bedroom. Connecting them to the Wi-Fi and syncing them to the app on his phone took far longer than he’d expected. When he finally checked his watch, it was already nine-thirty.

“Good thing New Year’s Eve parties start late,” he muttered as he took the stairs two at a time, Buddy bounding up behind him.

Mike showered quickly, ran a brush through his thick dark hair, and dressed in tailored charcoal slacks, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a dark blazer. He reached for his smartwatch, then hesitated and opened the top drawer and removed the gold Rolex his parents had given him when he graduated from architecture school. Tonight was a special occasion. He slipped it onto his wrist, tied his polished brown shoes, and signaled to Buddy. “Come on.”

Buddy trotted after him as they headed downstairs. At the bottom, Mike paused. “Okay, my friend,” he said, looking down at the dog. “Important question. Are you afraid of fireworks?”

Buddy tilted his head.

Mike sighed. “You can’t tell me, can you?” He held up his phone. “I hate leaving you alone tonight without knowing the answer to that question. That’s why I bought all these nanny cams. I can watch you the whole time I’m gone.”

Buddy sat at attention, gazing up at him as if trying to follow every word.

“If you’re in distress, I’ll come right home,” Mike continued. “The party’s nearby. Fifteen minutes, tops.”

Buddy blinked solemnly.

Mike gestured toward the crate sitting beside the sofa in the family room.

“I thought you might feel safer in here,” he said. “I made it nice and cozy. There’s a memory-foam pad, a blanket, and your favorite toy.” The crate door stood open. “Go on.”

Buddy stood beside him, studying the crate suspiciously.

Mike frowned. “Are you crate trained?”

Buddy looked from the crate to Mike, then back to the crate. He didn’t move.

Mike went to the kitchen and grabbed a handful of treats from the glass apothecary jar on the counter. Returning to the crate, he tossed them inside.

Buddy dove in after them.

“Good boy,” Mike said. While Buddy crunched happily through the treats, Mike gently closed the crate door and latched it.

Buddy finished the last crumb, turned toward the door, and looked at Mike. Then he lifted one paw and dragged it across the metal bars.

Mike winced. “You’re okay,” he said. “I’m only making an appearance because I promised my mom I’d go. I’ll be back in an hour. Two at the most.”