Daph waved a hand. “Okay, I get it. You don’t want to tell me. Doesn’t matter, because I have s-something important to say.” Holding her drink aloft, Daph clumsily wedged her way between Jaya and Grey, who looked like he wanted to throw her overboard. “Move, Grey, jeez. You can bone Jaya later.”

“We were in the middle of something, DE,” Grey bit out.

“I’ve finally decided,” Daph said, ignoring him. Her vowels were all slurred and running together. “You were right this whole time, Jaya.” She thrust her coupe champagne glass in the air, and some pale pink liquid sloshed off the side, but she didn’t notice.

“Decided what?” Jaya asked, unable to help herself.

“I’ve been a complete fool. He’s walking around with her like they’re a—a couple! They walked right by me and neither of them so much as looked at me.” Daphne Elizabeth’s eyes were pink around the edges. “I’m not just some… some doll he can toss aside when he’s done playing with it. I have self-respect. Even if I haven’t been acting like it.” She hugged Jaya. “You’re a real friend for telling me what I needed to hear, Jaya. I appreciate it.”

Grey sighed and ran a frustrated hand over his face.

Jaya purposely avoided looking at him. “Ah, I’m happy for you, Daph. Really. Alaric’s not even worth bothering with. But perhaps we could talk about this—”

Daph gave her a look. “Oh, I’m bothering with him all right. I’m going to go up there and talk to him and Caterina right now.”

Jaya felt her pulse kick up a notch. “You can’t do that,” she said, grabbing Daph’s arm. “Daph. This is Caterina’s event. Firstly, you can’t ruin it for her like that. And secondly—”

“She’ll rip your hair right out of your scalp and use it as tabletop decor,” Grey added gruffly.

Jaya shot him an exasperated glance and turned back to Daph.

“I’m not looking to ruin Caterina’s night. But I’m tired of just sitting around waiting for one of them to acknowledge this. If not now, then when? I just have to get it over with. We’re all here, I’ve had some liquid courage. It’s now or never. And I know me. If I wait, I’m going to let him sweet-talk me tomorrow. I need to just do it. Right now. Thanks, Jaya. I’d never have done this without your help.” She began to walk off.

Jaya turned to Grey. “I have to go.”

He studied her. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“No,” Jaya said, trying hard to keep the regret out of her voice. “I’d better do this alone.”