“You are SOL, little guy,” Lindsay told the cat.
“How’s it going?” asked Paige from the sofa. The kitchen and living room were one large space in this apartment, so Paige was watching some home-renovation show while sitting in reserve in case Lindsay needed help.
“Fine. We’ve got artichoke dip with veggies, three kinds of sliders, salad, veggie slaw, and french fries. And I never want to chop another vegetable for the rest of my life. Also, your cats are trying to steal food.”
Paige laughed and stood up. “All right, guys. You have to hang out in the bedroom for a bit.” It took some work, but Paige managed to shoo both cats into the bedroom and shut the door. “There are chips in the cabinet next to the fridge, too.”
“Cool.” Lindsay had arranged the slider patties on a plate, ready to go on the griddle as soon as people started arriving. She’d made beef, turkey, and vegetarian patties. She’d wanted finger food that would fill people up.
“So tell me,” Paige said, walking over to look at what Lindsay had laid out. “You invited Brad. Is he bringing dessert?”
“He said something about cookies.”
“And how are things going between you?”
Lindsay shrugged. “Awkward. When I called to invite him tonight, he said no at first. I think he’s mad at me.”
“Why?”
Lindsay sighed. “We had a fight the other night. He wants me to put up or shut up.”
“What does that mean?”
“He wants to get back together, but I haven’t decided, and I think he’s tired of waiting.”
“Ah, okay.” Paige nodded like she understood exactly what this situation was. “But heiscoming, right? Because I didn’t buy anything sweet, figuring he’d bring dessert.”
Lindsay laughed. Paige had priorities. “Yes, he’s coming. I convinced him by pointing out that the episode he won is airing right after mine. And he’s mad at me, but he still likes the rest of you.”
The party was a viewing party for Lindsay’s first episode ofMystery Meal. Lindsay was not especially excited to see herself on TV, but her friends had insisted on this party. She figured if anything got too mortifying, she could busy herself in the kitchen.
Josh came out of the office holding two chairs. “Do we have enough seating?” he asked.
“People can sit on the floor,” said Paige. “That rug is pretty soft.”
Josh set up the chairs and stood back to look at the seating area. He and Paige had a sofa and a couple of armchairs, and he’d just added a couple of padded folding chairs that must have been in a closet.
“I’m gonna get those big throw pillows. Maybe people can sit on those.” Josh turned to go into the bedroom.
“The cats are in there,” said Paige.
Josh grimaced and then slowly opened the door. “No, no. Stay in there, Houdini,” he said. Then he closed the door softly.
Paige grinned. “He’s cute when he’s fretting about an event.”
“I thought that was your job.”
“Normally it would be, but he insisted on planning this since I’ve been so preoccupied by the wedding. He thinks he’s doing me a favor. I love planning events, but this is just people I like, so it’s low stakes.”
“Not much for him to mess up, in other words.”
Paige shrugged. Her intercom buzzed, so Lindsay put her attention back on the party food while Paige went to answer the door. Lauren and Caleb arrived a moment later, with little Hannah in her stroller. With practiced ease, Caleb lifted the detachable baby seat out of the stroller and Lauren folded the stroller frame and shoved it out of the way in a corner.
Lindsay walked over to say hello and made baby noises at Hannah, which got her a big smile in response. That little girl was one cute baby, all big eyes and wispy hair.
Evan arrived with a flourish a few minutes later.
“It’s done!” he said, plunking a bottle of wine on the kitchen counter. “Will and I are no more.”
