Page 66 of Always Almost You

“Lauren,” the KJ said again. “You didn’t sign up to sing, but the owner”—he pointed toward a figure lingering in the shadows—“heard you sing recently and has a request.” He shielded his eyes from the stage lights. “Is there a Lauren in the audience?”

Lauren glanced around again, then slowly slid off her chair and raised her hand.

“There she is!” the KJ said. “Come on up here, Lauren, and show us what you’ve got.”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

“Let’s give her a warm round of applause and welcome her the way you would want to be welcomed if someone dragged you up here without warning!”

Lauren swallowed and looked down at Pumpkin. “Well, girl,” she murmured, “I guess we’re doing this.” She walked onto the stage as the crowd began chanting her name.

“Lauren! Lauren! Lauren!”

Pumpkin hopped up onto the platform beside her.

“What’s your little friend’s name?” the KJ asked.

“This is Pumpkin.”

“Okay, Lauren and Pumpkin. I know this is coming out of left field, but the owner, who also happens to be my boss, has two song suggestions.” He grinned. “He’d like to hear either ‘My Heart Will Go On’ or ‘I Will Always Love You.’”

Lauren spun toward him, one eyebrow lifting.

“I know,” he said quickly. “Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. He’s paying you a big compliment.”

“Or trying to terrify me,” Lauren replied.

The room rippled with sympathetic laughter.

“If neither works for you, you’re welcome to pick something else.”

Lauren inhaled. She had been singing those songs in the shower for years and knew every lyric by heart. She turned toward the crowd. “Let’s vote,” she said. “Clap if you want ‘My Heart Will Go On.’”

Applause filled the room.

She raised her other hand. “And now if you want ‘I Will Always Love You.’”

The room erupted.

Lauren nodded. “Okay, then.” She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “With respect to Whitney Houston⁠—”

The KJ started the music.

Lauren delivered the song with perfect pitch, careful pacing, and just enough drama to bring the house down. Even Dolly Parton would have approved. When the last note rang out, the room exploded in applause.

“Thank you,” Lauren said, stepping back from the microphone.

“Encore!” someone shouted. The crowd took it up. “Encore! Encore!”

Pumpkin placed her paws on Lauren’s knee, tilted her head back, and let out an enthusiastic woof.

The room burst into laughter.

“I think you’ve got a mandate,” the KJ said.

Lauren laughed. “All right. ‘My Heart Will Go On’ was a close second. Let’s do that one.”

Applause filled the room again.