Page 117 of The Best Friend Power Play

"Have a few bites," I insist. "It'll help. Trust me."

She picks up her fork and takes a few bites. More than a few bites, actually. She polishes off about two-thirds of the plate, which is way more than I thought she would.

"Why do people do this to themselves?" she asks when she's done. "Because I am never drinking again."

"It was on your list. You wanted to do it. You have. And now you never have to repeat this ever again. Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes. Pleeeease. You're incredible, Culver. Like, you're even more attentive than normal which I didn't think was humanly poss—" She drops her head to her shirt. "Wait. Why am I wearing this and not my Elizabeth Bennet outfit?"

"I helped you get undressed when we got back."

"I don't remember that." She stands up, but overdoes it a bit, gets woozy, and plonks back down on the stool. "I don't remember a lot of things about last night."

"Really?" I pass a cup of coffee over to her. "So our impromptu naked dance in the gazebo? Nothing?"

Her eyes widen. "Noooo. We didn't."

I fight back a smile. "I didn't want to, but you insisted."

She pushes her plate away and rests her head on the table. "Oh, noooo…"

"And do you remember when Doyle came over and joined in?"

She looks up. "Okay. Now I know you're lying because I don't care how drunk I got, there is no way I would dance naked with Doyle."

"You got me." I grin. "No naked dancing."

"Did I do anything…bad?"

"Like what?"

"Like anything embarrassing?"

"Nope. You were fine." I'm curious to see how much of last night she recalls. "Do you remember Fraser and Evie catching us after we fell behind a row of tables?"

Her eyes widen. "No."

"Do you remember coming home?"

"No."

I wince, not wanting to bring this up, but also know that it's the right thing to do. "Do you remember throwing up?…Twice?"

She covers her mouth. "Did I really?"

I nod. "Yeah. But look, it's better that you did. At least you slept through the night."

She blinks a few times. "I can't believe you saw me throw up. Twice."

"Someone had to make sure you were okay." She drops her hands and does a cry face. "It's fine, really. I've been there. Everyone has. And now you know what it's like, too."

"I guess." Her shoulders slump as she releases a weary sigh. "So I really didn't humiliate myself in public? Only with you."

"Yes, only with me," I assure her. "Look on the bright side. The aspirin and food should start to kick in soon, and since we have no plans for the day, we can spend it on the couch watching anything you want that doesn't involve men in Speedos."

She smiles a little at that. "Thank you, Culver. For everything. You're amazing, and I am so grateful for everything you did for me. Just like I'm grateful that no one else had to witness me in this sta?—"

She stops.

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