“Jake, when’s your stuff coming?” Rafael asked as he passed them. “Do you need help with the move?”

“Saturday. That’s why I had the party tonight—nothing can get trashed.”

“As if you’d let anyone touch your record collection,” Rafael said.

“True, no need to make enemies on the first day,” Jake said, adding he’d welcome Rafael’s help on Saturday.

Rafael introduced them around the party. They met several soccer players as well as high school and college friends of Jake’s. People were friendly and easy to talk to. Audrey caught Rafael studying her at one point, and she smiled back at him. Rafael was greeted by a woman and turned to talk to her. A golden retriever slipped past Audrey, followed by Jake.

“Is that your dog?” Eve asked.

“Meet Biscuit,” Jake said. Audrey petted Biscuit’s furry head.

A girl with bright blue hair in a bob haircut and an orange dress suddenly appeared and gave Jake a big hug. Stepping back, but still holding him, she said, “It’s been ages! I’m so happy to see you. And even more delighted you’ve seen the error of your ways and disentangled yourself from the clutches of that she-wolf.”

“Penny! You’re still the same, even with blue hair. Never one to mince words.” Jake kissed her lightly on the cheek.

“Like it?” She tossed her hair.

“You’d look good in any hair color,” Jake said and introduced Eve and Audrey. Audrey could feel Penny appraising them subtly.

“You know you should take a break from serious relationships and just enjoy single life,” Penny said to Jake.

“That’s exactly what I intend to do,” Jake said.

If he waited six months, that would be perfect.

“Hmm, we’ll see how long that lasts,” Penny said. “I give it a week. If you would date someone for a while before jumping into a relationship, you might save yourself some agony.” Then she turned to Audrey and Eve. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen him and had a proper chat because”—her voice dropped to a low whisper—“he was dating this woman who watched him like a she-hawk, and anytime he as much as glanced at another woman—even a longtime friend like me, she’d swoop in and”—Penny’s voice took on a Southern accent—“just desperately need him.”

“I don’t think Audrey needs to know all this,” Jake said.

Yes, I do.

Switching subjects, Jake asked, “How’s your acting career going?”

“Great, but that’s what I want to talk to you about. Do you mind if I steal him to catch up?” Penny linked arms with Jake.