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“Good tip. How much longer do you have, you think?”

“I’ll hang out another hour and then leave the party in the hands of the distinguished and slightly inebriated brothers.”

Charlie winced because the party was picking up steam by the second. “It’s a madhouse in there. But I ran into a girl I used to babysit in high school.”

“Is she a fan of Monica McHenry?” he asked with a playfully sly look.

“Stop that right now.”

He laughed and kissed her lips. “I’m glad you stopped by.” He gave her a twirl. “Looking good, too, Adler.”

“Thank you,” she said, not loving that move. “Gonna dive into what sounds like a thrilling read and turn in. I’m teaching in the morning. See you tomorrow?”

He nodded and placed a hand over his heart. “Always.” It was possible he’d had a cup of that trash can punch.

She headed back through the house, understanding Danny would likely return to his fawning public for a few more strokes to his ego. More power to him. She had a reading to tackle and a career to prep for. It took more for Charlie to be noticed in the literary world, which meant she had to work harder, write better, and elbow her way to a seat at the table. The exciting part was that she was up for the challenge.

* * *

“Yes, people. Tare’s ready to turn it loose,” Sasha yelled as Taryn tossed both hands in the air, swaying her hips to the beat. “Back that ass up, T.” Taryn laughed and danced alongside the girls from Alexander in the center of the room, losing herself in the music, the hypnotic rhythm beneath her feet, and the sense of finally being in the midst of it all, surrounded by people her own age. She was on her fourth or fifth cup of punch, which let her say good-bye to her inhibitions. Friends were meant to celebrate together, right? The room felt newly vibrant and fun, and even the frat bros seemed to chill the hell out for a minute and have a legit good time. Laughter topped the music until someone turned it up another three notches. The room took on a dreamlike quality, overrun and vibrating with people. Another two and a half Solo cups later, and maybe the space around her didn’t seem as stable. Taryn sensed her error and tossed her current drink into one of the overflowing trash cans in the corner, but even that little bit of movement made the room lurch. She gripped a nearby table, absorbing the feel of the cool surface like a lifeline.

“This party is dope,” Scarlet called to her. She lived two doors down and binged historical romance and reruns of The Kardashians.

No. Couldn’t agree. Wasn’t feeling dope. More like dizzy and reminiscent of an extra-loud funhouse on steroids. “I think I better slow down.”

Scarlet gave her a hard knock on the shoulder that nearly sent her over the edge from okay to not at all. “Been there. You’ll rally.”

Taryn wasn’t so sure. She didn’t drink often, leaving her tolerance low. Her stomach churned, and the spinning room made the nausea worse. In the midst of the loud music and crowded room, her orientation fled like a felon. “Gonna grab air,” she called to Caz.

“Oh fuck. You drink too much? I got you. Want me to come with you?” Caz’s dark lipstick had faded entirely, revealing the innocent, youthful face beneath. Her cat ears were now crooked and tired. Taryn wanted to straighten them but couldn’t seem to come up with the proper execution. Bad sign. Bad, bad sign.

“No, you have fun. Be a happy cat. I’m real good. See?” She tried so hard for casual and unaffected but only manifested as weird and wobbly. The reality was she was getting drunker by the second. That was probably fine, right? People got drunk. She just didn’t usually, but new experiences were super good for growth, and who didn’t need to learn and gather a variety of experiences? Oh, look, a plant. Did it have a name? She could call it Melvin. So incredibly green and leafy.

While she couldn’t remember getting there, a few minutes later, Taryn realized she was sitting on the lawn as partygoers streamed in and out of the frat house. She remembered the scene she’d walked up on when they’d arrived and realized she was now a part of it. She blinked and took a deep breath, realizing she should probably walk home, but wasn’t sure her Jell-O legs would make it.

“Hey, look at me.” A soft hand touched her chin. “You okay?”

She turned and her eyes collided with big, blue ones. “Yeah. Hi.” An angel was looking down at her. A pause as her circling brain caught up. “Charlotte. I mean, Charlie.” Charlie was kneeling in front of her, perfectly sober and mature. Why couldn’t Taryn be those things?

“That’s me. Where do you live?” Her voice was soft and caring. Taryn wanted lean in to it because Charlie would make sure she was okay. Didn’t they used to do that for each other?

“Alexander, but I’m so very fine. Promise. Just taking a little breather, ya know?” She added a semi-athletic stretch, which, on second thought, probably didn’t help her case.

“Oh, I know those breathers. Too well.” Charlie paused, seeming to make a decision. “Idea. I’m headed that way. Let’s walk together.”

“Cool, cool,” Taryn said as relief descended.

Charlie looked behind her at the house. “Before we leave, is the girl with the cat ears your friend?”

Taryn nodded. “And my roommate. Caz.”

“Caz. Even better. I’ll let her know.” Charlie disappeared for a moment and then reemerged a minute or two later. It also could have been twenty. Time was weird. “Here we go. You steady?”

Taryn stood but wobbled considerably. The world tilted like a tricky carnival ride. “What a minx.”

“Me?” Charlie asked.

“No! Ha. The ground. It moves. I think. One can’t be sure what’s real.”