Page 72 of The Dating Contract

Who was she…? Why did the name ring a bell?

“Leah Nachman,” she said, deciding introductions would be better than thinking she’d dive into connections.

“Leah. Wait.”

Yep. The curly-haired Sarah knew someone. Maybe Judith, maybe her brother? Liv?

“The name Nachman sounds familiar,” Sarah continued. “Are you related to the Judith who saved Tony Liu’s life?”

And there it was. This woman knew the inside story of what happened when Judith had been working as a departmental assistant at the Wall Street firm. Which means she could know anybody, but Leah would put her money on her knowing Judith’s boss.

Either way, whoever she was, the woman had asked a question that deserved an answer. “That’s my sister. I have a little less to recommend myself with.”

“Interesting,” Sarah said. “And the guy?”

“I’ve known him forever,” Leah replied, deciding honesty was the best policy when this woman was already worried she’d stepped over a boundary or two, “but this is actually really only our…third date, so it’s fine? Really.”

Which wasn’t accurate, but would do; these people weren’t keeping score.

Were they?

That’s so cool,” Jamie said.

“Very,” Sarah replied. “Liam told Isaac that there’s a guy here tonight who did posters for my favorite author’s series and my ketubah, and he’s here. And I’m going to meet him.”

“Just want to make sure,” Leah said. “What series is that again?”

“Well,” Sarah said after a bit. “She’s my second favorite author really. Melanie Gould’s series, the Goldstone Saga?”

“That’s Samuel,” Leah confirmed. “He’s the one who did the posters for the series. And he’s also doing my sister’s ketubah.”

“Extremely small world.”

Leah nodded, excited to speak to these women a little more, glad to find people within Samuel’s circle she could talk to. So she followed Jamie and Sarah across the room toward the bar area. She took the cup Sarah gave her and reached for a pitcher marked Shirley Temples. As she lifted the pitcher, she poured herself a drink, making sure there was enough ice. “You want anything?”

Sarah, at that point, was standing in front of her, holding a glass filled with something blue. “A Pictionary partner who isn’t going to drive me nuts? Maybe?”

They clinked glasses and Leah smiled.

“I don’t draw but I’ll do my best.”

“That is all I can ask for,” Sarah said.

Which made Leah even more excited.

She was going to be able to find friends in his friend group, which was important for many reasons she didn’t want to think about. And so many that she did.

*

Samuel followed Liamthrough the house in awe. He barely recognized the place where he’d come a few times already to play cards.

“This setup is amazing.”

“Friend of mine set it up,” Liam said, shrugging, slightly embarrassed. “Best use of space is what he said—some kind of flow and design stuff. I don’t get it. But how goes it so far?”

“Getting the lay of the land,” he said. “Seeing who’s here.”

“I told youa small group,” he said with a smile. “Your girlfriend’s already making friends with Sarah and Jamie.”

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