Lorcan’s face darkened. “I know Vince. What did he give her?” He bent forward and snapped his fingers under Penny’s nose. “Come on, wake up. Yes, that’s it.” The moment her eyes fluttered open, he used his finger to peel back her eyelashes so her eyelid stayed open. I vaguely remembered he’d taken junior EMT classes in high school.

“Lor—” Penny scrunched her eyes, forcing him to let go long enough for her to blink. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t think she’s that high. Just drunk. She just looks exhausted. When’s the last time she slept?” he asked, directing the question at me.

Flummoxed, I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

“The party don’t start till I walk in,” Penny mumbled.

I gave her shoulder a little shake. “Penny? Did you sleep at all last night?”

She didn’t reply.

“Were you up all night? Partying?”

She nodded.

“How long did the party last?” Lorcan looked grim. “Did you take anything else?”

“Um, just since last night, I think? It’s just booze and this much weed, I swear. I’m fine.” Penny tried to roll off my leg.

I let her, but made sure she didn’t face-plant into the sand. With effort, I helped her sit upright. Her expression still looked glazed, but her voice seemed steadier, and she didn’t wobble when my arms fell away from her.

Sitting there in the sand, she reminded me of a child.

“It’s exhaustion,” Lorcan determined. “She’s dehydrated, sleep-deprived, and is probably going to regret this tomorrow.”

“Are you sure she’s okay?” I whispered, terrified she could have alcohol poisoning.

“She’ll be fine,” said Lorcan. “But let’s take her home?” At my start, he clarified, “Her parents’ house, I mean.”

“No shoes!” Penny whined.

“I’ll carry her.” Without waiting for an answer, Lorcan leaned forward, clinically grabbing whatever parts of her were still covered by the flapping kimono and pulling her into his arms.

“Lulu, Merlin, time to go!” I called out, clapping my hands. With Lorcan in the lead, a limp Penny cradled against his chest, the three of us followed behind him.

I knew the Wangs hid their spare key in the vase next to the front door. When I overturned it, the key fell into my palm. Her parents were still asleep, so I woke up her mom while Lorcan carried Penny into her old bedroom. He moved a wastepaper basket by her bedside along with a glass of water. Mrs. Wang hurried in, her face ashen.

Allowing myself a gesture of affection before we left, I brushed my palm over Penny’s forehead. I could have sworn she leaned into my touch for a moment.

“We should get him out of her houseboat,” said Lorcan as we slipped out the front door again.

I dropped the key back into the vase.