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“They’ll ‘shank’ you with a ‘shiv,’” Has corrected absentmindedly. His eyes were scanning the room for someone.

Will ignored us. “I know I don’t have any claim to you, but I’m so fucking proud of you anyway, Louisa,” he said, sliding his hands down my arms and squeezing both of my hands. I blushed at the warmth in his words and his gaze. Aside from Viv and Has, it was nice to have another person feel proud of me.

“So what’s the plan now?” Will asked.

“Shots,” Has said with a grin. “Don’t tell Vivian, though.” He looked around like she might be watching us. “She has a hollow leg. You’ll spend a fortune buying her drinks and end up face down on her living room floor without ever getting her drunk.”

“She’ll kick your ass on her way into work in the morning,” I added. Been there.

“She reminds me of Eilidh,” Will said to Has.

“Eilidh Swan?” I asked. “Boston’s Baddest Bitch?”

“The one and only,” Will said. I scrutinized his face. “She’s a close family friend,” he added.

“How is the old bag?” I asked, turning to Has. “Did I tell you I worked a whole weekend for her, and she never even paid me? Gave me a fucking coupon book. She’s lucky I adored her.”

“You didn’t open it, did you?” Will shook his head, smiling. “She cuts a square out of the pages on the inside and puts cash in there. Figures if you’re too good for saving money, you don’t deserve hers.”

“Son of a bitch! I gave that to Desi. That little hustler…” I shook my fist jokingly, but I was secretly proud of Desmond. I hoped he’d bought something stupid and his grandma kicked his ass for it. “What a small world, Will. She’s my idol.”

“I forgot you filled in at Swan Dive that weekend,” Hasan said. “What was it Mike needed help with, St. Paddy’s Day?”

“It was the day before. A post-funeral party for a close friend of hers,” I said. Will’s eyes searched mine. My pulse jumped, but I played my part, keeping my expression neutral.

Has interrupted. “Let’s go celebrate our favorite award winner.”

“Where are we goooooing?” I asked, riding on Hasan’s back while Will carried my heels. I was pretty sure we were standing in line at a food truck, but Has kept bouncing me like we were walking.

“We’re getting you a giant burrito,” Has answered.

“You’re a lightweight, Louisa.” Will was laughing at me.

We’d stolen a fifth of Cazadores from the open bar and pregamed by drinking it straight from the bottle in the stacks.

“I juss enjoy tequila. I would totes sip it like a classy lady. With my Lifetime Achievers Award on the shelf next to my expensive tequila collorection.”

“Order up! Malik?”

They forced me to stop talking and waited patiently while I ate my whole burrito and some of Hasan’s, and I was grateful because as soon as I swallowed the last bite, I was ready to party again.

“Like, think about how heavy that burrito was in your hand just five minutes ago.” My voice was kind of loud. “Huge… too big for my fingers to fit around.” Will winked at me. Yes, William! Get spicy with me! “… and I just shoved that whole thing down my throat…” He was grinning, eyes sparkling with mischief. “And now it’s so big inside me it’s poking out my belly.”

Will’s head was down, and his shoulders were shaking. I couldn’t hold it in any longer, and the laughter bubbled up and out before I could stop it.

“You two are literally the worst.” Hasan scowled, but he was laughing, too.

“You love us, Hassi.” I booped his nose, and he tried to bite my finger before getting up and tossing the foil from my burrito into the recycling.

“I’ve got a buddy who’s working over at Wilderness tonight. Mind if we stop in real quick?” Has asked. I tried to read his eyes, but they didn’t offer much.

“Fine by me,” Will said as he was buckling my shoes for me. I shrugged and tossed my napkin into the trash. So much for getting some strange, but whatever.

It didn’t take long to walk the two city blocks to Wilderness. The bouncer waved us through the rope—thank you, attractive male companions—and the guys in the line outside whined.

Will clocked the kind of bar it was immediately but didn’t seem to mind. I saluted Has when he went to find his friend.

“You want to get a drink or rub your food baby on the dance floor?” Will smirked.