Page 74 of Always Almost You

Mike glanced toward Lauren, still standing under the lights, still watching him. “I need to say something to her.”

The KJ followed his gaze, then gave a small, knowing smile. “Well,” he said, “we are here to raise money. Name?”

“Mike.”

“Song?”

Mike didn’t look away from Lauren. “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

The host nodded, already typing. “You’re up.”

Mike stepped forward. Buddy moved with him, settling at the edge of the stage as if he belonged there, tail curled neatly around his feet.

“Next up—Mike,” the KJ announced.

A polite ripple of applause ran around the room.

Lauren didn’t move.

Mike took the microphone.

The first notes began, instantly recognizable and familiar enough to quiet the room again.

Mike didn’t look at the crowd, but only at her. His voice came in low and steady, his tone warm and rich. The lyrics weren’t for the room. They were for her.

Lauren’s gaze didn’t waver.

The room shifted again as people leaned in, sensing that something was happening that had nothing to do with karaoke.

Mike took a small step forward, not toward the audience, but toward her.

Lauren’s breath caught.

He saw it. Felt it. The final phrase approached. The one that mattered. He let it land simply. Honestly. The last note faded.

Then Buddy barked. The crowd laughed, the spell easing just enough before applause broke out again.

Mike lowered the microphone. Still, he didn’t look at the crowd, but only at Lauren.

She stepped toward him.

She was close enough now that her voice didn’t have to carry. “You found me,” she said.

CHAPTER 49

Buddy surged forward, heading straight for Lauren. He pressed his head into her hip, his tail swishing in a wide arc.

“Hi, you,” she cooed, dropping her hand to pat the top of his head. “I’m glad to see you went home with this guy.” She lifted her gaze to Mike. “I was hoping you’d wind up with each other.”

At the sound of her voice, Pumpkin came racing out of the office, her paws skittering on the floor as she navigated the crowd. She made a beeline for Buddy. The two dogs met in a blur of circling, sniffing, and bouncing against each other. Buddy dropped into a play bow, and Pumpkin darted in and out around him.

Patrons at the first row of tables smiled at the lively scene in front of them.

“These two certainly didn’t forget each other,” Mike said, pulling the rambunctious pups apart. And I didn’t forget you, he thought.

Lauren nodded and reached for Pumpkin’s leash. “Let’s take them outside to work off some of this energy before it gets out of hand.”

“Great idea,” Mike replied, pulling up Buddy.