Page 126 of The Glittering Edge

“The drag show is more than enough party for me. I’m not as young as I used to be.”

Naomi pinches his cheek. “Handsome as ever, though.”

Ron waves her off. “Get gone before I start crying. Y’all look too beautiful, and I cannot handle seeing my babies all grown up.”

Penny wraps her arms around Ron from the back seat. “Love you,” she says, wishing more than ever that he knew about the curse. That he could comfort her.

“Dammit, now Iamcrying,” Ron says with a hiccup. “I’m kicking y’all out. Go! And be smart, you hear?”

The line to check in with security stretches all the way down the front steps. Penny and Naomi aren’t underdressed, but it’s a good thing they went all out. The guests wear an array of warm-toned gowns and summer suits, and even the most casual outfits look like they’re worth at least six months of Horizon Café’s rent.

Penny keeps glancing at Naomi, but she can’t catch her eye. The silence almost becomes too much, and Penny is about to say something,anythingto get Naomi to acknowledge her existence, when Naomi gasps.

“What’s wrong?” Penny asks.

Naomi nods toward the front of the line. “Hideous chartreuse dress with an even more hideous occupant.”

Penny stands on her tiptoes, and there she is: Dylan, arguing with security. After a particularly vehementget out of heregesture from one of the guards, Dylan throws up a middle finger and starts down the stairs.

“She’s coming,” Penny whispers. She and Naomi stand shoulder to shoulder, trying to appear casual. Heels click down the steps, and Penny tells herself not to look—but at the last second, she does. And of course, Dylan is staring straight at her.

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” she says.

Penny is transported back to that moment at the old pharmacy: the feeling of Dylan’s fingers twisting in her hair, the smell of vodka, the burning sensation in her eyes.

Penny doesn’t bother smiling. “Hey.”

Dylan rolls her eyes, as if sayingheyisn’t something people do anymore. Her dress is floor-length and fitted, with a slit so high it shows her hip bone. Penny suddenly feels silly in her puffy black skirt and pink lipstick.

“Couldn’t get in?” Naomi asks. “Guess you won’t be livestreaming any torture tonight.”

Dylan’s eyes slip past Penny to Naomi. “I’m only here for the expensive champagne, but they can’t find my name on the list. I’m sure it’s there, but security decided they don’t like me.”

“Sorry,” Penny says.

“No, you’re not,” Dylan says.

Penny sighs. “You’re right. I’m not.”

Dylan’s eyes almost bulge out of her head. “Excuse me?”

“See you later,” Penny says as the line starts to move. Dylan stays in the same spot, which is good, because Penny and Naomi can barely contain themselves.

“Oh mygod,” Naomi says. “You just said that!”

“I know! Who am I!” They laugh, heads together. For a moment, all feels right with the world.

Then Penny remembers the truth serum. Dylan in her car, sobbing, saying she can’t stop loving Corey no matter how hard she tries.

Did they break up?

For a split second, Penny considers inviting Dylan to come in with them. But Dylan can’t be her problem tonight, or anyone else’s.

When security waves them through, Dylan is forgotten. Because Penny is inside Meredith House—thegalaversion of Meredith House.

“Oh,” Naomi says.

“Wow,” Penny breathes.

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