“One World,” Caterina said. “The gala’s going to be spectacular. I’ll have a party planner and two different caterers—oh, and a bartender, of course. Alcohol loosens the purse strings.” She smiled a little.

Jaya nodded as one thumping song merged into the next. After a pause, she asked, “What does One World do?”

Caterina’s eyes focused on her with an intensity. “Sorry?”

“The charity,” Jaya said, wondering just how much Caterina had had to drink. “One World? Who do they serve?”

“Children around the world who live in poverty,” Caterina said, her chin thrust out. The lights on the pillar behind Jaya reflected in her eyes like amber jewels. “And before you say anything else, let me tell you that 385 million children live in extreme poverty. It’s a really pressing problem, one from which we’re lucky to be isolated.”

Jaya wondered if she’d missed something. “Right,” she said finally. “I think that’s wonderful, actually. My mother loves charitable giving,” she added, unsure of why Caterina seemed so oddly protective of her charity. “I’ll ask her if she’s heard of them.”

“Mm. Good. Yes, do that.” Seemingly satisfied, Caterina took a deep drink. She blinked hard, as if she were now seeing through a haze of alcohol. She swayed the tiniest bit on her feet. “Jaya,” she said. “Why do we love?”

Jaya struggled to adjust to the change of topic. “Perhaps to feel less alone?” she ventured.

Caterina appeared to consider that. “Yes. Yes, maybe you’re right.” She paused, thinking. “I love Alaric.”

Jaya nodded, uncertain. Next to them, a group of freshmen burst into peals of laughter and moved away onto the dance floor. “I’m sure you do.”

“But sometimes I wonder if there’s someone else for Alaric,” Caterina said, like Jaya hadn’t spoken. She blinked, her eyes bleary and red-rimmed from drink. “When I talk about the things I’m interested in, I see the way his eyes glaze over. Sometimes he doesn’t answer when I ask him a question. And do you know what he said when I asked him if he thought he could get a cummerbund to match my green Valentino dress for the winter formal?”

“No. What?” Out of the corner of her eye, Jaya noticed that Caterina’s friends were looking at them. But none of them made a motion to walk over.

“He said, ‘Who fucking cares about the winter formal, Caterina? Who knows what we’ll be doing by then.’ ” When Jaya didn’t respond immediately, Caterina pressed on. “Why do you think he said that?”

Jaya wondered briefly how she managed to get herself into these situations. It was a talent, really. Suddenly she wished she could have a sip of whatever Caterina was drinking. “Ah… perhaps because he’s not a planner?”