Page 126 of Kiss Slay Replay

“I don’t get it. You’ve been so…”

“Anxious? Depressed? Cynical? Needy?”

“For months. No offense. Then you show up today pretty chipper, only to mysteriously disappear for two hours, come back fucking filthy, again no offense, and now you’re all, like, chill and—”

“I wouldn’t ever describe myself as ‘chill.’ You think I’m chill? Am I chill?”

“You are! You’re chill and bubbly—”

“Bubbly? That’s too far.”

“Fucking bubbly, chatting up Ravi and his new girlfriend no problem? Willa. Honey. I can’t tell if you’re genuinely happy or if you’ve completely lost it.”

“I don’t think those things are mutually exclusive.” It’s our turn to order at the bar. “Hi. Whiskey sour for me, and a tequila soda for my friend, here. Better make that a double. She’s a little uptight.”

“How dare you.”

I respond with a brief, maniacal chuckle.

“What did Luke give you? You can tell me.”

“Nothing,” I say.

“Are you already drunk? I feel like I’d be able to tell.”

“Not yet, but hopefully soon,” I say, digging a five out of my bag and slipping it into the tip jar on the counter, surprisingly slick.

“Willa Ann Sullivan.”

“I don’t know. I guess I just realized it was more important for me to enjoy today than to be afraid of it.”

“Mm.” She’s dubious, but that’s all right. The bartender finishes our drinks and slides them across the counter. We take them and step off to the side.

“Cheers,” I say. “To a good time.”

“Cheers,” Cass says. “To a good fucking time.”

3

Who knew that time could move so quickly?

It’s just shy of midnight, last song of the reception. Some guests have already started to clear out, catch the shuttles back to the hotel. Not us. We’re not done yet. We’re going to ride it ’til the end.

“I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down!” We shout. We jump. I spin Cassie. Luke comes between us, takes our hands and spins us both. Wyatt is doing a Peanuts-esque shoulder thing. Evan mimics him, drunk enough to be game. Steph and Jace are pressed up against each other, sweaty and making out in the middle of the dance floor like it’s the night they met.

“Aw! I don’t want it to end,” Steph says, coming up for air when the music fades. “Can’t the party last forever?”

Jace picks her up. “After-party at our cabin!”

He carries her out of the reception hall to much fanfare.

“I’m gonna go get changed,” Cass says, which Luke takes as his cue to pick her up and carry her out like Jace did with Steph. She sighs but allows it. I catch her cracking a smile, too giddy to pretend like she isn’t.

Evan looks at Wyatt. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“Me? I’ve never had an idea in my life.” He offers Evan his hand, and the two of them walk out together.

“You coming, Wills?” Evan calls over his shoulder.