I’m not going to make it back for the shower. I have a meeting I need to take and the only day they can do it is today. Tell Ass and Chloe that I’m sorry, and I’ll make it up with a big gift.

Although it sucked that Jazzy wouldn’t make it back in time for the showers, I knew she’d only miss a family event if it meant great things for the company. Which meant, her instincts about Boise had been correct.

Bummer, but I’ll let them know. Thanks for doing good work.

Did you ever doubt it? she asked, causing me to smile. My twin was nothing if not sassy as hell.

Not for a second. I’ll save you some cake.

You’d better.

Promise.

I read back through the texts from Jasmine, surprised I hadn’t received any further texts in the last couple days.

She must be really busy in Boise.

I parked and hurried into the bowling alley, eager to see Laurel.

Yeah, bowling alley. My cousin was a nut and Chloe a saint for putting up with him.

It felt like it had been forever since I’d gotten to spend any real time with Laurel. Sure, we’d spent a few nights together, and got a little time in the mornings before we went our separate ways, but we’d both been busy with work and it never felt like enough.

I’d just closed the deal with San Francisco, and Laurel had been hard at work on Chloe and Reardon’s party, so we’d had a lot of late nights and working lunches. Luckily, Reardon had proved my theory about the flower shop, so Laurel had been working with the knowledge that she owned the shop, free and clear, which had been a huge relief.

Plus, she’d messaged me to let me know that the bank loan had gone through, which meant more hard work on the horizon. Luckily, Chloe and Reardon had wanted an afternoon shower, so the night was ours to celebrate.

The bowling alley was empty, save Laurel and her team. We’d rented the place out for the day, giving them time to get in and set up before the party started. I’d come early to see if I could be of any help, and to see Laurel in action.

I followed the sound of female voices past the lanes and into a back room that I hadn’t realized was there. It had a bar along one wall, with tables and chairs, and a juke box. I assumed it was usually set up like a restaurant, but Laurel had made some changes.

She’d brought in tall tables and scattered them throughout, so people could stand and chat, but still have a place to put their refreshments. There were a few regular tables and chairs on the edges, as well as a couple tables pushed together on the far right and a large setup against the wall in the center of the space.

It looked like a Wookie had thrown up all over the space.

Large cardboard cutouts of Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke were in one corner, with C3PO, R2D2, and BB8 in another. And behind the bar, Darth Vader was watching over the room. The tablecloths were black and white, there was a BB8 cake, and a huge wall dedicated to Baby Jedi, which I assumed was where the presents would go.

“Reardon is going to flip,” I said when I finally found my voice.

Laurel turned from where she and one of her girls, Lisa, I believe, were putting up a Pin the Padawan on the Preggo game.

“Hi,” she said, crossing to kiss me hello.

“Hey, Dillon,” Lisa said.

“Hi,” I replied to Lisa, then dropped my head to brush my lips across Laurel’s. “This place looks amazing.”

“Thanks,” Laurel said, grinning happily. “Mary and Zoey should be back any minute with the food, then we’re just about ready.”

“They’re going to love it,” I assured her.

“I hope so, because when I was shopping for this stuff, I found a ton of beautiful classy items that would be perfect for their wedding.”

“Didn’t Chloe already ask you to plan their reception?”

“Yeah, but I’ve been thinking of this as a trial run, you know. I don’t want her to feel obligated to use me, if she isn’t satisfied with what I do with this party.”

“Laurel, not only are you friends, Chloe works for you, of course she wants the party planning company she works for to plan her event.”

Laurel shook her head.

“I don’t want to presume anything. Yes, she works for me, but this is our first event. I want her to be able to make an informed decision, and not feel pressured to use me.”

I chuckled and hugged her briefly, then let her go so she could finish what she’d been doing. “You’re almost too good to be true,” I told her.

“So are you,” she replied happily, then pushed me lightly and said, “Now, go mix up the Vader-Ade in that dispenser over there, Shane is running late at the bar. Be sure to put plenty of vodka.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, shooting a wink at her before I turned to go figure out what in the hell Vader-Ade was.