Page 68 of Always Almost You

Mike bent forward slightly, catching his breath. “Why am I not interested in her?” he muttered under his breath.

Buddy tilted his head.

Mike began pacing slowly along the trail, raking a hand through his hair. He wouldn’t waste Tara’s time. She deserved someone who felt excited about her.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Eric was calling. Mike took a deep breath. “Hey, bro,” he said. “Ready to set up that lunch date?”

“I wish,” Eric replied. “I’m still working eighty hours a week. We’ve got a new architect starting next month. That should help.”

“I’ll follow up with you after that to firm up plans,” Mike said. “I meant to call and apologize for running out on you on New Year’s Eve.”

Buddy’s head snapped up as he watched a squirrel dart across the trail.

“I adopted a dog right before Christmas,” Mike continued. “And he was busy destroying my house.”

“We figured it had to be some kind of emergency,” Eric said. “Actually, that’s why I’m calling.”

Mike began walking again. Buddy trotted beside him, scouring the brush for the squirrel.

“Mandy’s been all over my case,” Eric continued, “to ask you to come to dinner the Saturday after Valentine’s Day.”

Mike groaned inwardly.

“She’s still devastated that she didn’t introduce you to Lauren Simpson on New Year’s Eve,” Eric said. “This dinner will be her chance to fix that.”

“You really don’t have to do that,” Mike protested. “Besides, we’ve worked on a project together. I’ve talked to her on the phone. Just tell Mandy we already know each other.”

“That’s not going to cut it, and you know it. Don’t try to get out of it,” Eric said. “Mandy’s already invited Kathy and her husband, Jake, too. She says that’ll make it less awkward.”

Buddy stopped abruptly to investigate an especially interesting patch of grass. Mike waited patiently while his pup sniffed every inch.

“I’m telling you,” Eric continued, “Mandy and Kathy won’t rest until the two of you meet.”

Mike said nothing. He didn’t have plans that Saturday night. Or any other Saturday night in the foreseeable future.

“Do me a solid,” Eric said. “Just tell me you’ll come to dinner so we can get this over with.” He paused. “Unless you’ve already found someone new?”

Mike sighed. “Nope. Not yet.” He remembered the promise he had made to his mother, that he would keep trying. “I’m free that Saturday night,” he said. “Tell Mandy thank you for the invitation.”

“You’ve made my life so much easier. I’ll text her now. She’ll be thrilled.” Eric chuckled. “And who knows? Mandy and Kathy could be right. Maybe this Lauren Simpson is the one for you.”

Buddy finally caught the scent of the squirrel again and lunged forward. Mike laughed and broke into a run. “Well,” he said, tightening the leash as Buddy surged ahead, “I guess we’ll find out.”

CHAPTER 45

“What are the two of you doing tomorrow night?” Lauren joined Kathy in their tiny break room. She waited with an empty mug in her hand while Kathy’s third cup of the day streamed steadily from the machine.

“You mean Valentine’s Day?” Kathy asked. “Absolutely nothing.”

“You and Jake always go out.”

“That was before we had the twins,” Kathy said with a laugh. “It’s too much effort on a weeknight now. With any luck, the boys will go to bed early, and we’ll have time to watch an entire television show before we both conk out.” She sighed. “I miss the days when I’d shop for a new dress, and Jake would take me somewhere swanky. Honestly, I don’t have the energy for all that right now.”

“You’ll get back to it,” Lauren said, patting her arm reassuringly. “Things will get easier with the twins.”

Kathy removed her mug and took a sip. “I guess I may as well tell you,” she said. “We’ve decided to try for a third.”

“Oh, Kathy,” Lauren said, slipping an arm around her shoulders and giving her a quick hug. “That’s wonderful.”