Page 24 of Closer

Fantastic.

“I need to use the restroom,” Gemma says.

“Want me to come with you?” I ask.

“No, I’m alright. I need a minute to myself.” And with that, she hurries off, weaving through the crowd.

This night got more complicated for all of us.

Mary clears her throat. “I could use another drink. You?”

“Sure, let’s go.”

I head toward the bar with Mary close behind.

“Is everything okay with you?” she asks.

“Of course.” My voice comes out high-pitched. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Keep it together, Lil. You’re here to have fun with your girls, not mope over Sebastian fucking Barron. So what if he’s here with some way-too-beautiful brunette draped all over him? Not my problem anymore.

“Are you sure?”

“Sorry.” My eyes flick to the side. “It’s just… weird, you know? Seeing him after everything. The only thing missing is Blake showing up and throwing herself at him.”

“That won’t happen.” She signals the bartender. “She never shows up to events like this.”

“Silver lining, I guess.”

“I can always hook you up with one of my old date partners?” Mary offers.

I laugh. “Oh, you mean so I can have the famous Mary disastrous dating experience?”

“It’s a 5-star experience. Trust me.”

“How about you? Can’t be easy seeing Connor again.”

She shrugs, but I can see the strain underneath. “It’s not pleasant, to say the least, but like we said earlier—no men tonight.”

“No men tonight.”

Suddenly, Mary spins around. “Ella?”

“Dad said you should come over for a minute,” her sister says.

Mary hesitates.

She probably doesn’t want to leave me alone. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, go catch up with your family. I’ll stay here.”

“I’ll be right back.” She gives me a quick hug before disappearing into the crowd with Ella.

Taking a fortifying sip of champagne, I steel myself to endure Sebastian and his date solo.

Would dating really help to forget him? It didn’t during college.

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