A buzz of anticipation flickered through her veins. She looked at Eve to see if she wanted to go. If they went, there was no way she could return to the office.

“Yes, definitely.” Eve gave her a “you’d be crazy not to go” look. “You have to get out there.”

“But I have to be at work early tomorrow,” she whispered, trying to resist the siren call of laughter, music and conversation.

“It’s only eight. Don’t tell me you go to bed earlier than midnight. I’ve heard your footsteps in the hallway coming home from the office. That gives you at least three hours. This will be fun. Like old times.”

Best friends don’t disappoint each other. She would work late on Friday night.

Audrey called down, “But it might be better to use ‘Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair’ if we want a happy ending to our meeting.”

“Rapunzel it is! I’m all for happy endings, plus that hair. Who could resist?” the guy said. He was attractive, with long brown hair in a ponytail. She imagined he played guitar. “I’m Rafael.”

“We’ll be right over.”

“Ring doorbell 1B.”

Audrey loaded all the dishes onto the tray and carried it back inside.

“You should wear that little black dress you bought in Paris.” Eve followed her inside, carrying the rest of the pie.

“Won’t it be obvious that I changed?”

“You’d be crazy not to look your best with the hot male quotient there. I plan to dazzle in a dress myself, and I’m pretty much a happily married woman, but not quite.” Eve fluttered her ringless finger.

“Has Pete given any signs that he might propose?” Audrey turned on the light in her white galley kitchen. A lone blue tea mug was upside down on the drying rack.

“He’s crazy busy at work right now, trying to get this promotion. And that’s okay with me. I’m trying to figure out my career stuff. It’s not like I need to be married right now, although my mom would like it.”

“My mom doesn’t dare bring up dating or marriage because she doesn’t want to add any more pressure to my life.” Audrey scrubbed the dishes.

“Did she say that?” Eve dried a plate.

“Last Thanksgiving, my aunt asked if I was dating anyone, and my mom said, ‘she has enough on her plate right now.’ And I don’t think she was referring to my turkey dinner.”

Eve laughed. “Your mom seems to think that you can only do one or the other.”

“She thinks I should make partner first, and then I can find a relationship. Which makes sense.”

“I’m all for you finding a relationship now,” Eve said. “And I mean, right now, after you put on a dress.”

Chapter Three

Chapter Three