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My eyes dart around the room, searching for any sign of Sebastian. Where is he?

A guy in a toga leers at me, his gaze raking over my barely covered body. I cross my arms over my chest. This costume wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“Drinks first!” Mary leads us through the crowd.

“Cheers to a fantastic evening and unapologetically being our badass selves!” Gemma says.

We clink our glasses, taking sips of the sweet punch. Alcohol. Definitely alcohol in there. But it’s way better than the beer at college.

A pop song with a heavy bassline starts to play, and Gemma drags us onto the dance floor, her hair whipping around her as she spins. Mary joins in and I shift from side to side.

I sway my hips to the rhythm, trying to mimic Gemma’s moves, but my body is stiff. Would my mother be better at this? Probably, if everyone loved her. She was the life of the party.

“You’re thinking too much.” Mary’s hands grasp mine as she guides our movements together.

The pulsing music thrums through my body, and I let her lead, trying to relax into the rhythm. Easier said than done. My hips sway side to side, but I’m like a graceless imitation next to her fluid motions. Gemma dances nearby, lost in her own world, a carefree expression on her face.

I wish I could lose myself like that. Let go of the nagging thoughts and insecurities always lurking at the edges of my mind. The alcohol buzzes through my veins, but my movements are still stiff. Restrained.

Mary spins me outward and then back in. “Remember, tonight you’re not Lil. You’re a sexy as fuck bunny!”

A laugh bubbles up my throat at her words. She’s right. I can let loose. There is no one here to judge me. Not my uncle, not my brothers, who certainly wouldn’t let me out of the house like this, and not Jason.

Tonight, I can be someone else. Slowly, my body starts to loosen, finding the beat. We sway and spin together, giggling when we bump into each other. Gemma shimmies over, and as a trio, we dance like no one is watching.

The song ends, and we collapse against each other, breathless and giddy.

“Okay, I need another drink after all that dancing,” Mary says. “Who’s with me?”

“Lead the way!” Gemma links her arm through Mary’s.

I follow them off the dance floor, my earlier nervousness replaced by a warm glow of happiness.

“What in the f is my sister doing here?” Mary darts across the room, grabbing a young girl by the arm.

The girl scowls, trying to shake her off. “Let go of me, Mar!”

“What are you doing here?” Mary doesn’t let go.

Her sister rolls her eyes. “The same thing as you, obviously.”

“You’re too young to be at a party like this.” Mary’s tone is firm. “Go home.”

“Or what? You’ll tell Mom?” She gestures at Mary’s bunny costume. “I’m sure she’d love to hear about how her precious daughter is dressed right now.”

Mary’s face pales, and she glances down at her outfit. “Fine. But you’re not drinking, got it?”

“Whatever.” Her sister tugs her arm free and disappears into the crowd.

Mary turns back to us, her expression tight. “Sisters, right?”

I nod. I’ve never had a sister, but I’m sure Lan and Levi would drag me out of here in an instant.

Gemma rests a hand on Mary’s shoulder. “She’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.” Mary shakes her head. “Come on, let’s have those drinks.”

We make our way to the bar, and I catch Sebastian, Connor, and Brandon walking in.

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