“You’re looking awfully forlorn,” Tyler said, setting a bottle on the table in front of me. “Here. Drink up. Annie told me that Wick had already warned her that if we came in together to remind me not to get kicked out.”

“What an asshole. He ruined our entire night.”

Tyler breathed out a laugh. “That’s exactly what I said.”

“Really?” I asked, dubious. Tyler nodded. “We are spending way too much time together.”

“I was just thinking we needed more days like today.”

“Tyler…”

“Don’t say it. I know.”

“Ellie?” a high-pitched voice called from across the room. “Oh my God! Ellie!”

I turned to see Paige weaving through tables to get to mine. She bent down and threw her arms around me. Her blue hair was now fuchsia, and she was beautiful as ever. Her tiny features remained soft as she smiled sweetly at me. She was still searching for someone, wearing a cropped tank top and frayed denim shorts to display her tattoos. Her right arm, the blank canvas, was now marked with black lace serving as leaves to a coral-colored rose.

“That’s new,” I said.

She grinned and then pointed to her nose. “So is this.”

I frowned, unable to ignore the thought that Paige was changing too much, too fast. She was already drunk, her eyes were bloodshot, and purple circles darkened the thin skin beneath her lower lashes. She wasn’t more than twenty-two or -three, but already tired of the bullshit life kept throwing at her. We were going in opposite directions, and I wondered if I’d been the last straw. Finley had always said that I ruined people, and I could see the turns Paige was taking, all downhill.

“I’m so glad to see you,” she said, a new nose ring shimmering as it reflected the multi-colored lights above. “I went to your house. José said you took a job and moved out.”

“True.”

“Where? New York City? L.A.?”

“The Rocky Mountain Alpine Hotshot barracks, actually.”

Paige turned her head like a confused puppy. “The what?”

“I’m a photographer for The MountainEar. I’m following the hotshots this summer.”

Paige giggled and nudged my arm. “Seriously. Where did you move to?” Her eyes bounced between Tyler and me, and then recognition lit her expression. “So you’re … living together?”

“Not exactly,” Tyler said. “Unless we say we’re also living with nineteen other guys.”

Paige tightened her bottom lip, but then she tried to relax, forcing a smile. “You couldn’t call?”

“I don’t have your number,” I said.

“Really? I thought I gave it to you.” I shook my head, and she blinked. “Well, I can give it to you now. Where’s your phone?”

“In my pocket.”

Paige shifted her gaze from me to Tyler, and then back. She sat in the chair next to me, her shoulders sagging. “I’ve missed you. You look great. You look happy.”