Chapter 39
Lauren checked her reflection one last time in the full-length mirror.
The sapphire-blue velvet dress looked just as lovely on her now as it had the first time she’d tried it on in Helen’s dressing room.
She made a mental note to email Helen in the morning.
Her new friend had been right. She had bought the dress, and an occasion to wear it had appeared.
Lauren lifted her gaze to her face. The smoothing serum the salon had recommended had indeed made her dark hair shine.
She had styled it in loose waves that brushed her shoulders.
The smoky eye she’d created was a departure from her usual light, natural workday makeup, but it felt appropriate for New Year’s Eve.
The nude kitten heels were elegant while still being comfortable. She could stand in them the entire evening. Lauren nodded once at her reflection. Festive, she decided, and polished, but not like she was trying too hard.
Pumpkin didn’t stir.
Lauren smiled. I’m so grateful you’re not afraid of storms or fireworks. She headed for the door.
The house party was a fifteen-minute drive from Lauren’s home.
She parked along the curb across the street and stepped out of her car.
Then she paused. Kathy’s friend’s house was a showstopper.
The couple had purchased two adjoining lots and demolished the modest 1940s ranch homes that once stood there.
In their place rose a striking three-story modern residence composed of glass, steel, and pale stone.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the entire front facade, light glowing warmly from within. A deep balcony projected from the second floor, wrapping around both sides of the house like a floating terrace. Soft architectural lighting highlighted the clean lines of the structure.
An elegant iron fence ran along the sidewalk, softened by tall, sculpted hedges that shielded the entry courtyard from view.
Through a break in the greenery, Lauren glimpsed a massive pivoting front door fashioned of dark wood framed in black steel and lit by a dramatic hanging fixture of blown glass droplets.
Lauren stood for a moment, taking it all in. “Okay,” she murmured to herself. “You’ve stared at the house long enough. You’re procrastinating.”
She crossed the street. “You’ve done this before,” she reminded herself.
“You walked into the caroling group in Newport. And you went to Helen’s Christmas potluck.
” She pushed open the iron gate. “And look how those turned out.” The front door stood open, just as she’d imagined.
Lauren took a breath and stepped inside.
A woman in a silver lamé slip dress crossed the entry hall carrying two champagne flutes. “Welcome!” she said warmly, offering one to Lauren. “I’m Samantha, but everyone calls me Mandy.”
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.”
Buddy pawed the door again.
Mike grabbed his keys and stepped into the garage as Buddy began to whine.
Mike got into the car. The whining escalated into loud, frantic barking. Mike pulled up the family room camera on his phone. Buddy was throwing his entire body against the door of the crate.
Mike sighed. “Okay,” he muttered. He got out of the car and hurried back into the house. “You’re definitely not crate trained,” he said, unlatching the door. “And forcing you into confinement tonight would be cruel.”
The door swung open, and Buddy burst out like a champagne cork. He sprinted one lap around the room, charged halfway up the stairs, galloped back down, then leapt onto the sofa and collapsed there, panting.
Mike sat beside him and rubbed his ears until his breathing slowed.
“Well,” Mike said, “I guess this is where you’re spending New Year’s Eve.”
Buddy rested his chin on Mike’s knee.
“If I’m going to this party,” Mike said, standing, “I’d better leave now.” He addressed his pup. “Like I said—I won’t be gone long.”
Buddy followed him with his eyes.
“And if you need me, I’ll come right home.” He smiled. “You’re my top priority now.”