Page 79 of By His Play

“Come on. I’m not drinking alone. Not tonight.”

Shrugging off my suit jacket, I fold it on the counter before moving closer.

Her hair is still styled, and the makeup lingers. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying, but she still looks beautiful.

Lifting the glass, I clink mine against hers.

“To Grams,” I say.

Effie swallows thickly, fighting her emotions again. I kick myself for upsetting her, but what else are we raising a glass to?

“Today was perfect. She’d have loved it.”

Lifting her glass to her lips, she takes a sip, and I breathe a sigh of relief that she doesn’t swallow it all down in one go.

“I hope so,” she finally says before drinking more.

I can’t help but copy her, but I don’t take it so slowly. I’ve only had soda today, and I can’t deny the need to drown some of it out.

I swallow the huge shot in one go, making Effie’s eyes widen as she watches me.

“Fuck,” I grunt as the vodka burns down my throat.

“Where did you get this?” I ask. I thought the sherry I tipped down the drain was the only alcohol in the house.

“I ordered it,” Effie confesses before throwing the rest of hers back.

She winces as it burns before slamming her glass down.

“Kieran?”

“Yeah?”

Despite wanting to say something, she keeps her eyes downcast.

Silence follows as she decides against saying whatever is on her mind.

Instead, she reaches for the bottle again.

“Effie,” I warn, but it falls on deaf ears. She picks up the bottle and pours herself another vodka. “No,” I bark, grabbing her wrist before she gets it to her lips.

The clear liquid sloshes in the glass and spills over the side, landing on her t-shirt.

My eyes drop.

The vodka soaks the fabric, instantly making it stick to her skin…to her breasts.

Her nipples pebble, pressing against the thin t-shirt.

My jaw pops as my mouth runs dry.

She’s messing with my head.

“Kieran,” she hisses when I don’t release her.

“I’m not letting you get wasted,” I tell her, dragging my eyes back up to her face.

She stares at me, her face clearly showing her pain.

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