In the hustle and bustle of the singing and cake distribution, Lou had gotten separated from Mia, who was now talking to Kristin. Lou was tipsy enough to talk to just about anyone right now, but when she saw Amber, she naturally gravitated toward her.

“You and Mia looked pretty chummy just now,” Amber whispered in her ear. This sounded like something so unlikely for Amber to say, Lou cast a long, thorough glance into her boss’s eyes. Dilated pupils. Watery gaze. She’d never thought she’d see the day, but Amber was just as far gone as the rest of them. It was that kind of party.

“Yes, well, isn’t it better like this?” Lou asked, not expecting an answer, saying it more to herself than as a reply to Amber. Because it was infinitely better this way.

Amber held out her glass of wine and Lou clinked hers against it. Maybe she only felt this way because she had drunk too much, but even if that was the case, she wanted to enjoy the feeling of a heart free of grudges and animosity for as long as she could.

When people were starting to leave and the group dwindled down to about a dozen, Lou thought it a good idea to go home.

“Afterparty at my place,” Amber shouted, after which Martha threw an arm around her and guided her to the couch while hushing her.

“I hope not.” Mia had walked up to Lou. “I’m bone tired.”

“Thank goodness we haven’t started doing classes on Sunday yet. I’ve never seen her like this.”

“Everybody needs to let their hair down.” Mia shot her one of her smiles.

A commercial smile, that’s what it was, Lou thought. She wasn’t Amber-level drunk, but a good few of her inhibitions were lowered, to the point that she found herself turning to Mia fully, looking her in the eye, and asking, “Do you want to go out some time?”

Mia narrowed her eyes. She barely smiled, yet her entire face lit up. “How about I walk you home instead? Make sure you get there in one piece.”

“Is that a no?”

Mia shook her head. “It’s an ask-me-again-when-you’re-sober.” She put an arm on Lou’s shoulder. “Okay?”

“I’m really not that drunk.” Lou leaned into Mia slightly. “And don’t you have a bus to catch?”

“I’m staying at Kristin and Sheryl’s. Come on.” She took her by the hand and walked her home.

Chapter Twenty

Mia woke in Kristin and Sheryl’s guest room, which was about the size of her entire studio in Newtown. The first thing she thought about was Lou. Clearly Lou had asked her out because she was drunk, and Mia was pretty sure the invitation wouldn’t hold in the cold, sober light of day. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little smug about it.