“We got in late. After three in the morning,” I grumbled.

“I’m surprised you didn’t sleep in then. How’s Georgia?” Rosalee asked.

She picked up a baguette and took a large bite of it. She didn’t look too worried, if you ask me.

“Fine. They gave her a cocktail of things to calm her down, put her on oxygen. She was lucky, you know. Your friend really screwed up there.”

Rosalee stopped chewing and stared.

“I’m sorry. I think it was just an honest mistake,” she said, struggling to swallow the thick, seed-filled bread. The last thing she needs is carbs, I thought, eyes trailing down to her bulging waistline and thighs.

“Well, I hope it won’t happen again. I’d hate for Asher to lose his closest friend over something so easily avoided,” I said.

Rosalee lowered her eyes but said nothing.

The doors to the kitchen swung open again; Bri and Mara came in, chatting amiably until they saw Rosalee and me.

“Oh. Hi there. How’s Georgia?” Mara asked, energetically. Fine. No thanks to you, I wanted to say.

“Fine. Just sleeping it off.” Speaking of sleeping it off, I made eyes at my daughter. She had acted like a drunken fool last night, polishing off two bottles of wine on her own before the dessert menu had even arrived.

I’d like to think that I was surprised, but really, I wasn’t. I stopped by her apartment a few times a month to pick up parcels. She was so busy with work most days, and I liked to be helpful. Additionally, it gave me a chance to snoop…

I saw the bottles she tried to hide. The full bottles in her cupboards and cabinets. The empty bottles buried in her waste basket and out in the garbage can at the curb. And the prescriptions for anxiety pills that seemed to run out faster than the doctor intended…

As I shook off concerns about my daughter’s drug and alcohol use, I realized that Mara was still looking at me and talking. “Well, the plan for today was for us to get a cab and head into town. I thought we could explore Jackson Square and the open markets down there. Then at two, I have a masseuse and makeup lady coming, to get us all relaxed and get Rosalee dolled up for a night out on the town. The cooking staff are returning to prepare appetizers for later…” Mara blabbed on and on about her agenda.

“That all sounds great, but I’m not leaving Georgia here.” I lifted my coffee cup and blew steam off the top.

“Well, why don’t I stay here with her?” Mara offered. “You, Bri, Tinsley, and Rosalee can go have some fun, and I’ll wait on Georgia hand and foot. It’s the least I can do.”