“I can never pick. I love the chicken skewers with satay sauce, the pizzettes and the banana black bean empanadas. And the bruschetta with the basil and the surprise twist of mint. That seems to be the most popular. Wait until you see the desserts—they’re coming out next.” Pete and Max cleared the appetizer plates.

“I’m going to play ‘Sweets for my Sweet’ when Eve brings out the dessert, so I have to get back to the music, but I have a serious party hostess question: do you want this to be a dance party? After the desserts, we can turn this into a dance party if I switch the playlist and you dim the lights.”

“Definitely a dance party,” she said. So much for returning to talk to Tim. Anyway, she didn’t feel like battling Colette for him. He chose to come with Colette.

“Save the first dance for me. I see Eve now with the desserts.”

Audrey helped Eve carry out the desserts as Jake played “Sweets for my Sweet” and some other similarly themed songs. The guests oohed and aahed as the pastries came out. Audrey was glad people were so appreciative. As everyone tucked into devouring the desserts, there was that moment of silence when the enjoyment of the baked delights and the sorbet precluded talking.

Upon finishing her dessert, Audrey caught Jake’s nod from across the room, and she went to dim the lights. “Holding out for a Hero” burst out and Jake’s eyes met hers across the room and he smiled.

He crossed back and clasped her hand, pulling her to him and dancing swing with her, spinning her round. The party crowd moved back to clear space. Her hair spun out, and she felt a bit like a princess—like a teenage dream when you’re the center of attention at a party with a cute boy—she just needed a billowing skirt. He pulled her close, and she closed her eyes briefly, enjoying resting against his hard chest, breathing in his familiar fresh laundry scent. She looked up, and their eyes met. He smiled, his dimple appearing in his cheek. He spun her out again. They separated hands, but kept dancing close, mimicking each other’s moves, totally in sync. Others were now dancing around them (although not Tim or Colette). Winnie and Eve came out and joined them, dancing as all the women sang “I need a hero.”

“Are you trying to set impossible standards?” Max asked Jake as he joined the group.

“Just raising them,” Jake said. “Don’t worry. We’ve got a mix of musical messages coming up.”

The song switched, but Jake didn’t leave her. They separated from her group of friends to dance together.