“She looks gorgeous,” Mia said to their small group, “but then she always does.”

Sarah turned back to Lucy, intent on asking what she could do to help with the party, but discovered she was gone. She scanned the room and located her easily at the bottom of the stairs standing next to Emory. With a spoon to her glass, Lucy dinged until she had the full attention of everyone in the room.

“I hope everyone has a glass,” she stated, once a hush fell over the party, “because I plan to offer a toast to this beautiful woman next to me. You know her as Emory Owen. I know her as my savvy business partner and best friend. Thirty-three years ago, this firecracker entered the world, and it has never been the same since. She’s amazing, smart, stubborn, funny, and confident. Unfortunately, in addition to all of those things, she’s now old as well.” The room erupted into laughter, and Emory turned to Lucy, looking appropriately offended. Finally, Lucy lifted her glass. “A toast to you, my friend, for your energy, strength, and the many ways you continue to inspire us all. We love you. Cheers.” They clinked glasses as Sarah watched, smiling.

Christi Ann shook her head as she looked on. “Tell me again why those two broke up?” Sarah felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Barrett nudge Christi Ann subtly. “Sorry,” Christi Ann said to Sarah. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Just a habit I need to break. They’re ancient history, trust me.”

“I do,” Sarah said as politely as she could manage. “If you’ll excuse me, I should go find Emory.” But it had been hard to hear. She struggled with the fact that Emory had once been with someone like Lucy. Lucy of the sleek, straight brown hair. Lucy of the sexy legs that went on for days. Lucy of the rich and successful. It was a lot to compete with. Hell, she knew who she’d pick between the two of them. No contest.

With a shake of her head, she pushed the intrusive thoughts from her mind and focused on the task at hand. Unfortunately, finding Emory proved more difficult than she’d anticipated. There was an expansive receiving line of people blocking her path, all waiting to wish Emory a happy birthday. Rather than interrupt, she decided to wait it out. Taking a seat in one of the accent chairs across from the sectional, she made small talk with Emory’s attorney and his wife while she waited.

When she found herself alone again just a short time later, Sarah couldn’t help but notice how unaware these guests seemed to be about the mess they were making of Emory’s home. Small appetizer plates had been discarded in a pile on the coffee table. One had overturned and dripped some sort of sauce onto the hardwood floor. Knowing Emory and her stringently ordered house, she decided to help matters rather than waiting for the caterers to get around to it. She gingerly stacked the small plates and carried them into the kitchen along with an empty champagne flute. At least she could make herself useful and help Lucy with the gathering she’d known nothing about.

Emory took in the state of things. Thirty minutes had passed since the toast, and she realized she was going to have to take drastic measures to get out of the endless receiving line. Who even did receiving lines anymore? Spotting Trevor next in line to speak with her, she seized the opportunity and whispered in his ear as they hugged. “You have to get me out of this thing.”

He didn’t miss a beat. “Ms. Owen, you’re needed in the kitchen,” he said in an overly loud voice. “And right away. Catering emergency.” Emory feigned surprise and took Trevor’s offered arm as he whisked her away. She smiled and said hello to her guests as she passed, all the while scanning the room for her wayward date. “I saw her head this way,” Trevor whispered as he steered them behind the bar and into the kitchen.

Sure enough, there she was, dutifully stacking dishes. “What are you doing hiding out in here?” Emory said, though there was a smile on her face. She took Sarah’s hand. “We can do those later, or someone can. Maybe Lucy. She owes me for this. Have you eaten?”

“Just a glass of wine,” Sarah said and covered Emory’s hand with her own. “It’s hard chasing down those waiters. They’re super fast.” And then, “I met your friends.”

“You did? Which ones?”

“Mia, Barrett, and Christi Ann. Lucy introduced us.”

The thought made Emory a little queasy. She’d wanted to control the flow of that conversation, as she knew how Mia and Christi Ann could come off. Plus, she felt so far removed from them lately that she now wondered what had brought them together as friends in the first place. Our parents, she reminded herself, our parents had been friends. “They have their good and bad moments,” she said neutrally.

“I thought they were nice.”

“Really? Sometimes they can be…I don’t know, hard to read.” Judgmental bitches. That’s what she wanted to say. Sometimes they could be judgmental bitches, and she wanted to keep Sarah as far away from them as possible. “I have an idea.”

Sarah eyed her. “I’m listening.”

“There’s a tray of hors d’oeuvres over there with our name on it. Why don’t we hit that up and have a nice little dinner in the laundry room, just the two of us, like we planned? Then afterward we can face the music and mingle with these people who have taken over my house.”

“Me and my crazy appetite like this plan of yours. Are you sure we won’t get in trouble? You know, for playing hooky from your party? You are the guest of honor.”

“It’s possible. This is a risky endeavor. Are you in?”

“I’ll take my chances.” Sarah moved lightning quick to the covered tray. Emory heard someone in the living room crank the stereo up another ten decibels. They were entering phase two of the party, which meant the more respectable types would head for the door, and the alcohol would flow more freely among the fun seekers. This was going to be a long night.

Alone in the laundry room, they dined on the floor facing each other, Emory enjoying their impromptu picnic.

Sarah grabbed for a napkin and raised a questioning eyebrow. “Why is it we eat on the floor so much when I visit?”

“Excellent question. Maybe it’s just our thing.”

She considered this. “I could be okay with that. It’s kind of fun. No one else invites me to eat on their floor.”

“I’m special then.”

“I’ve often thought so.” Sarah surveyed the plate of white bean and caper crostini, stuffed mushrooms, and jumbo shrimp cocktail. It was an eclectic dinner, but one she wouldn’t soon forget. Tasty too.

“I hate that we were interrupted earlier,” Emory said. Her eyes were dancing as she lightly dabbed a crumb from the corner of Sarah’s mouth.

“Me too.”

“I was thinking, maybe we can find our way back there later tonight.”

“Well, in my experience, when it’s someone’s birthday, they get pretty much anything they want.”

“Oh good, because I really, really want you.” Emory looked into her eyes. “In case you haven’t noticed, you make me happy.” Sarah placed a gentle hand on her cheek as she listened. “And I haven’t felt—”

“There you two are,” Lucy announced. She sauntered into the laundry room with her hand on her hip. “I hate to break things up yet again, I feel like I’m always doing that, but the birthday girl is sorely missed. Come on, woman, you’re in high demand out there. Step to it. You can make eyes at each other later, I promise.”

Emory took Sarah’s hand from where it rested on her cheek and squeezed it. “Guess our time is up. Join me?”

“Right behind you. I just want to freshen up a little first.”

“Okay, you can use my room. Oh, and maybe bring Walter back with you? He’s bound to be antsy up there all alone. He’ll enjoy getting to meet everyone.”

“Will do.”

“I’ll meet you on the front lines.”

Sarah grinned and offered a mock salute.

The party was boisterous, Emory noticed upon her return, but nothing seemed to be broken or in danger, the main reason she didn’t often give parties, so she decided to just let the night run its course. Someone had opened up the room to the outside, and many of the guests had taken up residence on the deck. A comfortable breeze moved through the living space, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. She made a quick lap around the downstairs, saying a great many “hellos” and “thank you for comings,” before settling in with Barrett, who was generally a good person to stick by.

Barrett looked at her apologetically. “I told Lucy you wouldn’t be wild about a surprise party, but you seem to be handling it rather well.”

“Thanks, Bar. You’re right, it’s not exactly my thing, but I am happy to see you. I miss hanging out, the talks we used to have.”

“Me too. We should make time to get together more, though you seem to have more on your plate than usual. She’s gorgeous, by the way, and incredibly sweet.”

“She is.” Emory beamed. “Among other things. I think you’re really going to like her.”

“Like who? The mystery woman?” Mia sidled up next to Emory with Christi Ann not far behind.

“She’s not a mystery woman, Mia.”

“Then why haven’t you mentioned her before?”

“It didn’t come up.” Emory tossed away the comment as if it was the most casual thing in the world, but Mia didn’t seem convinced.

On the second floor, Sarah took a few moments to run a brush through her hair and greet Walter properly. After her cheek had been thoroughly covered with kisses, she ushered him down the stairs to the party. His loyalty was fleeting, however, as he made a beeline for the outdoors, clearly looking for a good frolic by the water. Such a beach dog, she thought, amused at his never-ending enthusiasm.