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KATE
We stumble out of the ballroom and back into the gardens.
Partygoers are loitering in the area, many like us—intoxicated and barely able to walk. Some people are loud, still in party mode, while others look completely wiped out. Several choose to unwind near the fire pit, sitting in groups as dawn sets in, the promise of a new day setting in the morning sky.
A large number of people drag their tired feet along the pebble-stone path, leaving the grounds after what has been one hell of a night.
The four of us sit with the others around the fire, watching its flames burn against the fresh morning air. After Dominic’s interruption and Noah’s outburst, the night should’ve gone downhill from there.
Until Lex bought the most expensive scotch and forced us to taste it. I tasted scotch several times, not minding it so much, though it was never my first choice to drink. Charlie, on the other hand, absolutely despises it.
Nevertheless, scotch and champagne don’t mix. We’re beyond walking straight, which doesn’t matter since our time was spent on the dance floor. We laughed until our lungs hurt while tears streamed from our eyes. Our carefree nature attracted strangers to join our circle and dance with us. We became best friends, promised never to lose touch, and sung so loud our throats burned from the constant strain.
Yet it all had to come to an end, and as we sit here trying to come down from the high, my feet throb in pain. I can barely swallow, a constant parched feeling inside my mouth that I’m unable to shake even as I drink water to rehydrate.
The space around me has finally stopped spinning, with reality becoming more and more apparent.
Dominic wants to leave his wife for me.
And Noah is back in my life.
How did this happen?
“How do we move our feet to the hotel?” Charlie whines, resting her head on Lex’s shoulder, closing her eyes. “I’m so sore.”
“Ten-minute walk,” Lex reassures her, though looking weathered himself. “Our clothes and toiletries have been delivered. We can get in a few hours of sleep before the car arrives at midday.”
We make the dreaded ten-minute walk toward the hotel. To make it less painful, we reminisce about the night, making fun out of ourselves on the dance floor. The champagne and other drinks we consumed still run through our veins, making the walk difficult yet amusing at the same time. Noah trips over nothing. Charlie stops to puke into the fancy bushes aligning the path. When the hotel is finally in sight, we all sigh with relief and part ways to our rooms to catch a few hours of sleep.
***
The ride to Mr. Auvray’s winery was the complete opposite.
It’s a two-hour drive, but being utterly hungover on less than four hours’ sleep warrants complete silence. Thankfully, I organized a driver predicting the three of us would be in this state before I even knew about Noah.
Noah is dead quiet. Wearing his sunglasses, his gaze lingers outside the window as does Charlie’s. Lex is fiddling with his phone, but even he looks tired.
“Mr. Auvray’s vineyard cultures one of France’s best champagnes,” I mention, lightening the mood. “The vineyard has been passed down through the generations. His great-grandparents were the original owners.”
“I can’t think of anything worse than champagne-tasting right now,” Charlie groans, sliding in her seat.
“There’s also cheese,” I offer.
“I thought you hated cheese?”
“No, I love cheese. It doesn’t mean I need to date someone who makes love to cheese. You’re certainly grumpy when you’re hungover.”
Another groan escapes her before she pulls out her phone and types a text. Seconds later, my phone vibrates. I give it a few moments, not wanting Lex and Noah to get suspicious.
Charlie: Lex insisted on drunk sex. I hate him right now. I want to die. I’m so tired.
I hold back my laughter, not surprised one bit by her admission. With Noah quiet beside me, I send him a text to see how he’s holding up, unsure if he still uses this number.
Me: Are you still alive?
He lifts his phone to read the text, typing fast before the text appears on my screen.
Noah: Yes… just thinking quietly, so shut up.
