“This is a really nice idea. We should do things like this all the time,” Katherine said to Isabella, Emily, and Mackenzie, as Anthony ushered them into the Grape & Pint. They had come together in Anthony’s car.

Audrey had come with F F, and they were already seated at a circular table in the middle of the dining room. As the others came in, F F leaned over and said to Audrey. “Are you sure this is all right? Me being here, I mean.”

Audrey squeezed his hand. “Of course it’s OK. I invited you didn’t I?”

As Isabella and Emily reached the table, Emily looked around nervously. “I don’t know if I can afford this.”

“According to Anthony, it’s all taken care of,” said Isabella. She slid into the empty chair by F F, and Emily sat next to her.

Anthony took the chair next to Audrey, and Katherine sat down by Emily. That left only the seat between Anthony and Katherine. Mackenzie hesitated.

“Hey, don’t be shy,” said Isabella. “It’s only Anthony. He won’t make any moves on you.” Mackenzie rolled her eyes and sat down.

Katherine watched with interest as Anthony acted as the host, welcoming F F and making sure everyone was comfortable. It was a side of Anthony she hadn’t seen before. Mostly, though, she just let herself enjoy being with her friends. Feeling happy was still new to her. She had worn her red scarf for this outing, and Isabella had shown her a new way to tie it. She reached up and touched it. It was a talisman of her happiness.

After drinks had been ordered and delivered, Anthony said, “I’ve asked you here tonight for a specific purpose. I wish to make you aware that you have an extraordinarily competent apartment manager.” He looked at Isabella. “And those who may have scoffed in the past shall remain nameless, in order to spare them undue embarrassment.”

“Ha, ha,” said Isabella. “Inquiring minds require proof.”

“A careful examination of the Apthorp accounts has revealed we have extra money.”

“I always thought the Apthorp was in the red,” said Audrey. She was still clasping F F’s hand tightly in her own.

Anthony shook his head. “Maybe it was once, but no longer.” He grinned. “And there’s more.”

“You’re going to embezzle it?” said Isabella. She noticed how Audrey and F F were holding hands, and Emily’s hand was right there, resting all alone on the table. Isabella reached over and took it.

Emily blushed, squirmed, and jerked her hand away.

Isabella was taken aback. She prided herself on being able to see exactly what was going on with others, but even though she knew Emily was uncomfortable with displays of affection, she realized she was mostly oblivious where Emily was concerned. Embarrassed at being publicly rejected, she ostentatiously turned away from Emily and feigned interest in Anthony.

He smiled. “Embezzle it, you say? Not me.” Whispering theatrically, he said, “I’m going to spend the money exactly as it should be spent.” He paused, and everyone leaned forward to hear. “On the residents of the Apthorp.”

Emily was mortified by how she had reacted to Isabella, who was now pointedly ignoring her. Had she just ruined everything between them, when things had seemed to be going well? Part of her thought she was being stupid — she could imagine Isabella asking if she were still in junior high school — but most of her didn’t agree. She wasn’t sure what to do, so instead of doing anything, she said, “Oooh, presents?”

“Sort of,” said Anthony. “I’ve asked you here tonight so the Apthorp can buy you ...” He gestured grandly, encompassing all of the Grape & Pint. “... an elaborate meal of gourmet foods, complete with exotic drink.”

Mackenzie looked around at the basic bar decor surrounding them. “Gourmet?” she said.

“Well, burgers.”

She lifted her glass. “Exotic drink?”

“Tasty beer?”

Katherine put her hand on Mackenzie’s arm. “Don’t be like that.” She looked at each of her friends in turn, beaming. “I like this so much. It’s special for all of us to be here together, isn’t it? It makes me so happy.” She smiled. She knew she hadn’t smiled much in the past, but now she basked in a pleasant sensation — her friends were smiling back at her.

They ordered food. They talked and laughed. Their good spirits radiated outward, and their table became the center of the Grape & Pint.

Near the end of dinner, they heard a commotion outside. Isabella got up and went to the door. “Wow! Hey, guys, come look at this.”

They stood amazed on the porch of the Grape & Pint, looking at the scene next door at the Bolinas Mall. Flames climbed out of the mall buildings and the flickering light silhouetted a line of black SUVs. The bitter tang of smoke blew past them. Uniformed men shouted orders and rushed about.

Katherine stood apart, the smile gone from her face. She clutched her red scarf. Just moments before, she had been sitting among her friends, happy, protected, even loved.

And now, flames and chaos.