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“There’s no alcohol at the party.” She ignored her sister’s comment.What are we, two?

“No worries. I’ll get Rocky and tell him to stop to get you a bottle of tequila to calm your ass down,” she teased.

“I am calm.”

Zoe snorted. “Sure, you are, and I’m sugar and spice and everythingfuckingnice.”

“Not today.Please,I’m begging you. Can you just give me one day when you are not being… You?” Bell scrubbed her face. She couldn’t do this. As much as she wanted her sorority to become the best it could be, but this... She never worked well under pressure.

“I’m always me. It’s what makes me so amazing. But, since you begged, I guess.” Her sister shrugged.

“Is Rocky aware of the fact you get off on people begging you?” She grabbed another tray out of the fridge and put it on the counter behind her.

“Umm, yeah, but he also gets off on making me beg.” Zoe grinned, wiggling her brows.

Bell held up her hand, shaking her head. “Stop. Just stop.”

“I got your food count. You have one hundred and fifty pieces of food. That’s not enough.”

No, it wouldn’t be. Not with over a hundred people already in the backyard and more arriving by the minute.Where the heck did Zoe advertise this?

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. It’s why Ifreakingasked you to count!” Bell drew her fingers through her hair.This is a disaster of epic proportions. What am I going to do?

“Relax. I’ll text Rocky and ask him to pick up some wings and stuff to cover.” Zoe reached into the pocket of her leather pants and removed her phone. “Go do something. I got it.”

Bell grabbed another batch of punch before stepping outside into the cool night air. There were too many people. Way more than she invited, even with the screwup with the written invites, which she’d fixed in an anxious moment. Though the bowl was still half-full, she wanted to make sure there’d be enough. Zoe followed behind her a few moments later, carrying out the food.

“Did you want people to drink that?” Nico’s arms were loaded down with bags of ice for the coolers.

“What’s wrong with it?” She raised her voice over the burgeoning crowd as she glanced down at the bowl. Orange and lemon rings floated around, along with strawberry slices and raspberries. If something was wrong with it, she’d rather find out now, before more people drank it or approached the table for a second glass.

“He’s right,” Tate murmured. “Smell it, Bell.”

“It’s bright red and orange.” Nico placed two of the bags into the coolers near the table.

She quirked a brow. “It’s our sorority’s colors.” Her tone held a bit of a “duh” quality to it. “It’s how we wanted it.”

“It looks fine, Bell.” Hayden came up behind Nico. “Go put the ice in the coolers by the other table.”

“Bell, you need to pull the punch. It’s got alcohol in it.” Nico dipped the ladle into it and poured a small amount into one of the red cups. “Taste.”

Taking the glass, she smelled her drink.Fruit, sugar, and juice. Determined to prove him wrong, she gulped the contents.

Then promptly regretted it.

She gasped and choked, the alcohol burning all the way down her esophagus and heating her already-queasy stomach. “Oh God. This is a bad idea. I told you guys. But did you listen to me? Nope.” She ran the back of her hand across her mouth, unsure if her lips were numb or wet or both. “Big fucking surprise. None of you ever listen to me!”

Tate at least had the decency to wince. “Sorry, Bell.”

Zoe joined them with the last tray. “Did she just say fuck?”

Bell growled again at her sister. “Shut up, Zoe!”

“What did I tell you?” Zoe snapped.

Turning to a surprised Hayden, Bell pointed to her sister. “Keep her away from me. Please.”

“Zoe.” Hayden kept her tone soft. Soothing. “You’re not helping.”