Cricket’s knob was tricky with my nails. I ended up using two hands and my hip to get the door open—I really didn’t want to ruin my paint—but then everyone yelled surprise! and I stumbled into the wall and had to grab someone’s coat to steady myself, and my dreams of a perfect manicure were dashed.

Shocked out of my wits, I noticed Wallis, jubilant, now beside me. “Happy birthday!” She joined the chorus, throwing up her hands.

“But it’s not till Monday,” I blubbered.

Cricket, resplendent in red, emerged from the crowd, took my purse and handed me champagne. “What’s a few days when you’re thirty-five?” she said, kissing me on the cheek. I still was frozen; she had to take me by the arm and pull me into the party.

Wallis and Cricket had filled the apartment with my friends and yellow and white balloons. Bo, L.K., Miles, Sara, and a few others from the office. Uncle Robert was there, and his wife. My two college roommates—they’d flown from Atlanta. Some of Cricket’s old pals who called me Lovie.

It wasn’t until my second glass of champagne that I could catch my breath. Wallis turned on music and made sure no one’s drink was empty. They’d been planning this for weeks, she said, immensely proud of herself, and now it was a birthday slash watch party. What could be better? I ate Brie and crackers and crudités and babbled Oh, my gosh repetitively as people enveloped me in hugs.

Miles had brought a date, his contractor, actually, who’d completed his master bathroom renovation on time and under budget. You don’t see that much in DC, laughed Miles, so I knew he was a keeper. Carl, this handy, tall redhead, was a dream, considerate and funny and a lover of all my favorite shows. Uncle Rob said Good to see you, kiddo. Sara updated me on all the latest office gossip. I located L.K., who looked very cute in a stylish black jumpsuit, by Wallis’s makeshift sound system—a phone plugged into a portable speaker. L.K. scrolled until she found her favorite, an ’80s classic rock station; satisfied with the direction of the playlist, she affectionately pinched my arm and leaned close. “Happy birthday, babe. What a great party. I can’t wait to watch your interview, among other things.”

Her mischievous tone had me asking, “What other things?”

L.K. wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m here to see if Bo finally makes a move on Wallis. I know July Fourth is still, like, two weeks away, but maybe we’ll see some fireworks tonight. Am I right, or am I right?”