Page 54 of Forced Vows

The guy who checks our IDs uses a UV light to confirm the state and public safety seals are on the driver's licenses.

I can't help looking around nervously and not because my fake ID is getting such close scrutiny. This is Cosa Nostra territory and there is a tiny chance we'll be recognized by someone on Miceli's payroll.

Not that I'm thinking about my gorgeous enemy tonight.

I'm so not.

Only being cautious.

That doesn't mean I'm looking forward to seeing him again on my actual birthday. Because no. Not.

The show is in the lounge area set up to look like an old library and we get to our seats without seeing any Cosa Nostra soldiers. Even if I wouldn't recognize their faces, I know a made man when I see one.

When the actors come out, they call for someone to come up and drink the first shot with the actor who's going to get five shots before trying to act his part in the play. My entire group erupts into shouts and points at me.

Kara's shrieking, "Let the birthday girl do it, let the birthday girl do it!"

The actor in charge of the shots makes a joke about Kara already having had her shot and I must want to catch up. Laughing I join the actors and after a lot of banter, take a shot with the actor chosen to play his part drunk.

It burns as it goes down and I confirm to the rest of the audience that this is real alcohol. My friends whoop and holler as I return to the table while the actor takes his four remaining shots.

The rest of the evening is kind of a blur but it's fun. By the time we're back in the limo, I'm watching my friends and listening to all the in-jokes we have with each other.

I cut a look to my cousin. Did she have friends like this before she got married?

Tilting her head, she looks at me. "What?"

"Was it like this for you before?"

She shakes her head. "I was still in high school. Dad would have had an aneurism if I got caught drinking."

I nod because I know that's true.

"But yeah, I had friends."

"What happened to them?"

"I keep in touch with a couple, but most of them didn't want anything to do with a nineteen-year-old mom. I couldn't exactly leave Fitz and go out partying."

"I'm sorry."

She grabs my hand and squeezes. "Don't. Neither of us made the world we live in, but we're both expected to keep it going."

Literally.

My choice in Uncle Brogan's study back in January means a night like tonight won't happen again. Not exactly this way. But seeing how much fun Kara had tonight, I'm determined that we'll find other ways to let loose.

Even if we have to bring along the nosy mafia bodyguards.

Things will change, but that's okay. We all grow up. And sometimes growing up means giving up things. I will give up my freedom for the sake of Fiona. Because Kara gave hers up for me.

But that doesn't mean I'm giving up living, no matter what my mafia husband-to-be thinks. And I'm going to make sure my cousin starts experiencing life again too.

Reality bites in the strict timing we have for our return, which means it's not that late when we get back to Long Island.

Neither of us wanted to try to navigate the raft tipsy, which means we have to be on the spot to sneak back in when Uncle Brogan and Mick return from Queens.

Our re-entry strategy isn't as foolproof as our exit. Because it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. If we get caught sneaking back in on the land side, the worst that happens is some yelling.

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