“Beth’s my only choice,” Mara said stubbornly. “She’s a girls-girl. I can trust her.”

Chase gave the bride-to-be a sly nudge. “And you think Byron’s handsome…”

Mara went bright red, and everyone laughed. Eden liked how friendly and easy-going Mara’s friends were. Besides Cheryl, Andy, and Kieran, she mostly hung out with gossipy industry people. For a second, she imagined becoming close with Beth and Mara, then remembered her life was taking her overseas, away from this group and away from Willow. She stood. “I’m getting more lobster. Does anyone want anything?”

“No,” Mara said. “But please keep eating! Everyone keep eating!”

Beth stretched her arms over her head. “I’ll come with you.”

They walked to the shining white bar where infinite lobster kept appearing.

“So,” Beth said. “You’re not drinking?”

Eden reeled. She hadn’t thought anyone would notice what with her pounding virgin mojitos.

“Don’t stress, it’s not obvious,” Beth said brightly. “I don’t drink, so it’s kind of my superpower. Any reason, or did you just feel like a change?”

Eden hesitated. The truth was she’d woken up after Sienna’s engagement party feeling like a construction crew had fallen onto her head. And in the still darkness, with Willow curled around her, she decided things had to change. David was all too happy she was still fucking herself up and that alone was reason to cut down.

“I’m experimenting,” she told Beth. “I don’t know if I could not drink forever, but I’m kind of sick of doing the same thing over and over.”

Beth laughed. “I get that. And I’m not judging, just curious. How do you go not drinking at your gigs?”

“I usually still have one or two,” Eden admitted. “But Willow got me a silver hydro cup to use while I’m playing. I pretend it’s full of G and T, but it’s La Croix.”

“That’s sweet of him.”

They ordered two lobster rolls then leaned over the balcony. Beth watched the water, Eden watched Beth. Unlike her, she seemed totally at ease being sober, not pounding food or non-alcoholic drinks or staring longingly at tequila.

“Why did you stop drinking?” she asked.

Beth smiled. “A million and one reasons. Mostly because I was also tired of doing the same thing over and over.”

“You don’t miss it?”

“Not at all.”

Eden made a face and Beth laughed. “I get it. You’re just starting out. Can I give you some advice?”

“Sure,” Eden said, surprised.

“If you want to make it stick—even some of the time, you have to find something you want more than you want to drink. Something that’ll bring you meaning and, like, adventure.”

“Like… sleeping better?”

“More along the lines of an activity. Something you can do with your extra time and energy. Maybe something you always thought was too hard.”