Keiran: damn! On my way!

Cherisse: no boys allowed

Keiran: sigh. So cruel

This was safe. She could do this. Banter—without a side of talking about things better left said later, after she’d sobered up. Everything was way too sparkly anyhow. She was in no condition for serious conversations. Who knew what else she’d let slip? She didn’t get to respond because her phone was pulled out of her hand. “Hey!”

Remi held Cherisse’s phone over her head. Cherisse didn’t even try for it. Remi was too tall, even in flip-flops. “It’s time to eat, then nap, then ass shaking. All people with the last name King are banned today.”

“Seriously? When did we make that rule?”

“Just this second because you’re in no condition to be talking to Keiran.”

Reba looked between both of them. “What did I miss?”

Remi lowered her hand, grip tight on the phone as Cherisse reached for it. “There’s a lot of liquor sloshing around our insides right now. Trust me. We’re both guilty of texting while tipsy. So I gave Ava my phone so I wouldn’t drunk-text anyone.”

“I was just replying to birthday messages,” Cherisse lied, which was pointless because Remi was already on to her. She rolled her eyes and wiggled her hand. Remi released her phone, finger wagging.

“Don’t you do it!”

“Ugh, fine.” She stomped over to Ava and handed her sister the phone with no explanation. “Hold this for me ‘til later?”

Ava took it, brow wrinkled. “Um?”

“Same deal as Remi. Save me from myself.” She clapped her hands together, tummy rumbling as her eyes dropped to the plates. “Okay, let’s eat!”

Chapter 30

Keiran

THE TWINKLING LIGHTS of the city below were a contrasting background to the smoky smells of BBQ wafting over from the tents that covered the food stalls. The lookout was lined with other cars. Some families were chowing down on food, and a few couples were all snuggled up against each other, taking in the view. Others snapped selfies, trying to get the perfect angle to capture all those lights down below.

“Well, this is romantic, isn’t it?” Eric plopped down next to Keiran on the hood of his car, box of BBQ balanced on his lap. “I mean, I love you guys and all, but I wish Ava were here. No cuddle buddy to gaze at the stars.”

“Ha! I’ll have you know I give the best cuddles,” Scott announced.

“That’s debatable,” Keiran said.

It was romantic, with the city lights glistening down below and the stars dotting the sky above. The lookout was well-known as a place for couples. Some food vendors had seized the opportunity and set up food stalls. There were more people coming just to get food and check out the view rather than only couples these days.