“Oh.” Penny put her arm around her. “Well, some sisterly advice—it’s probably not welcome, but here goes: it’s hard not to have a crush on Jake. I had one for ages until I finally realized it was never going to happen. And that was a good thing for me. Jake’s got some serious issues with his workaholic lawyer dad. He refused to talk to him once for weeks in high school after he canceled Christmas vacation. I don’t see him ever dating a lawyer. I’m just telling you to save you some heartache.”

Too late. She already felt a pang of hurt. Was it so obvious that she had a little crush on Jake? But it was nice of Penny to warn her. She was hoping Jake didn’t like lawyers because they were boring or arrogant—not because they were workaholics. Like her. That would be tough to prove wrong. Although she was out tonight.

“Thanks, I guess. Jake obviously likes you,” Audrey said, hoping she came across as only interested in Jake as a friend.

“He likes me as a friend.”

“That can develop into something more.”

“Sometimes, but I don’t see it happening here.” Penny glanced at Jake. He was laughing full-heartedly, his head thrown back, at something Devon said.

“Veronika was also really bad news,” Penny said. “She was incredibly needy and demanding and cut Jake off from all his friends. You may have noticed by the way she entered the party and ignored everyone, as if she hadn’t met us all.”

“What are you all discussing so seriously?” Jake asked as he suddenly came up behind them. He handed Audrey a drink.

“Girl things, Jake, things you wouldn’t know about,” Penny said. “No drink for me?”

“I have an older sister. So, I know more than you think. What are you drinking? I’ll top you up next time.”

“White wine,” Penny said. “I don’t think she discusses these things with you.”

“You’d be surprised. There’s not much my sister finds off-limits, unfortunately.”

Rafael brought Penny her drink. Jake grinned at them as they launched into a heated discussion about a recent play they’d seen.

“Let’s get closer to the stage,” Jake said to Audrey. “The lovebirds won’t even notice we’ve left. The set is about to start.” He took her hand and pulled her through the crowd. His hand felt sure about hers, and she was buzzing with hope and excitement, despite Penny’s warning. The lights dimmed, and pink-flamed strobe lights sparked around the venue. It had been years since she had been to a show. “Lolly’s pop but a little subversive.”