He stepped into the kitchen and brought back a bottle each of sparkling and plain water. She took the plain and told him to take his time.

While Michael looked over Karen’s information, Gwen moved into the courtyard to give her client all the time he needed.

The file contained a snapshot of Karen. What her interests were, where she spent her time. Her work, up until Samantha brought her into Alliance, had been managing an assisted living home for young disabled patients. On the surface, Karen was a bleeding heart, always helping someone less fortunate than her. Her only family was an aunt who had recently married a rich gentleman who had been in the process of hiring Alliance to find him a young bride. He wanted the bride to tick off his children and grandchildren. All of whom were fighting over his wealth. Karen set up her Aunt Eddie with Stanley and everything turned out remarkably well.

“This woman sounds like a saint,” Michael said from the doorway.

“I’ll be sure and tell her you said so.”

He moved to a chair adjacent her on the patio. “Seriously. No one can be this clean and be real.” He tossed the papers on the table. “What’s she really like?”

“Everything in there is true.”

“Fine. I get that. But what’s she like?”

Gwen thought of telling him that Karen was a kind and witty girl whom he would adore…but instead she decided to tell him something else.

“Last night, while watching the evening news, Karen called me upstairs to spy on our new neighbors.”

Michael’s brow drew up. “Spy?”

“Apparently our new, very old, and quite unattractive neighbors have decided that their backyard oasis…which is clearly visible from all the homes around them, is their own personal nudist retreat.”

Michael’s smile was slow to come, but then he started laughing.

“Karen is not a saint. Yes, all we’ve put in there is true. She is exceptionally bright and funny. Her clever tongue never seems to fail her, even when life erupts. I realize you’re the movie star in this equation, but Karen is the prize. And when your agreement with her is resolved, I’ll lay my bets now that you’ll always be friends.”

“When can we meet?”

Gwen lifted her chin. Perfect.

An hour later, they stepped out of Michael’s home as he walked her to her car.

She glanced around the door, searching for the cameras that she felt were watching. There was nothing visible.

“What are you looking for?” he asked.

“Where are your security cameras?” The ones on her home were tucked under the eaves but no such device could be seen under Michael’s.

“I have a camera on the gate but that’s it. I have an alarm system.”

Gwen turned a full circle. “I would think you’d want tighter security.”

“Is that going to be a problem for Karen?”

She shook her head. “No. Not at all.” Gwen looked behind her again. Neil’s paranoia is rubbing off on me.

“Eliza!” Gwen walked into Eliza’s hug with both arms. “My goodness it’s wonderful to see you. How is the First Lady of California?”

Gwen stepped aside and let Eliza into the house.

“I’m stupid busy,” she said as she moved past Gwen. “Who knew that Carter’s job would be so damn taxing on me?”

“Sam and I both warned you about your position.”

Eliza tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and tossed her purse on the coffee table. “I thought you were exaggerating. There’s at least one political dinner a week, sometimes two depending on who’s in town. Ladies’ luncheons…with ladies I don’t even like. I could do lunch all day long if it were with you guys. Ribbon cuttings, trips to DC.”

Yet even as Eliza pitched her fit, she smiled.

“Do you want your old life back?”

“Not unless I can take Carter with me. He’s loving his job. It’s going to take a lot of work to turn things around for our state, but if anyone can do it, he can. So how are you?”

“I’m good. I assume Samantha told you about Karen?”

Eliza’s eyes lit up. “Do you think it’s going to happen?”

“I’d plan on attending two weddings this year, if I were you.” Blake made Samantha marry him in Vegas the first time and had made up for that mistake every year since.

“How exciting. Has Karen met him yet?”

“Their ‘chance’ meeting should happen within the hour. She’s at the Boys and Girls Club right now where he is going to make an unexpected PR stop.”

“I wish we could watch.”

“That would be too obvious. It’s up to the two of them now.”

Eliza glanced around the room. “Will she still work here? Or have you talked about that?”

“Most of her work is online or on the phones, so we’re going to work it out from Michael’s place.”

“Which means you’ll be here all by yourself.”

Gwen pushed off the couch. “Oh, please…not you, too?” She walked into the kitchen.

“Me too what?” Eliza followed her.

Gwen removed a chilled bottle of Chardonnay from the refrigerator, lifted the bottle for Eliza to see. “Is it too early for wine?”

“It’s never too early for wine.”

Good. Because the “you’re living here alone” conversation needed wine. “I’m getting tired of people treating me as if I’m a child incapable of living on her own. Shortly after you moved out Karen moved in. I’ve loved the company. But I don’t need a keeper.”

“I don’t think I said anything about a keeper.”

Gwen saw the doubt in Eliza’s gaze. “Samantha brought up me living alone and Neil hasn’t stopped coming over to check on me since the news of Michael and Karen broke.” She uncorked the wine, poured two glasses, and handed one to her friend.

“I’m sure having Neil over isn’t a hardship…for you.”

Although Gwen had never confirmed her feelings for Neil to Eliza, her friend had always guessed they were deeper than those of a friend. Besides, she would never say anything in a house Neil listened in on, that might clue him in to just how often she thought of the man.

“It’s nice outside. Let’s go out back.” Where the audio feeds weren’t as clear as Neil liked.

Once outside and seated with their wine, Eliza started in. “OK, Gwen…what’s up?”