Page 22 of Before We Were

VODKA, LIME AND OLD FLAMES

NORA

"Wow."The word escapes me in a breath as I take in the chaos before us. Jake runs a hand through his tousled chestnut hair, his eyes following mine as we scan the room.

"Yeah, I guess I forgot to mention it gets a little wild with these people." He catches my stunned expression and grasps both of my hands, his touch grounding me in the mayhem. "We can bail if you want?”

"No, it's okay," I manage, though my heart pounds against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I'd braced myself for the typical markers of wealth—marble floors, soaring chandeliers, artwork worth more than my college tuition.

But this? This is a collision of worlds: old money meets frat house chaos. Farrah's guest list seems to include half the town's population, transforming the mansion's vast foyer and sunken living area into a writhing sea of bodies.

The air is thick with perfume, sweat, and spilled drinks. Bass thunders from the DJ booth near the pool, vibrating through my bones. Couples tangle in shadowed corners while a girl in a gossamer dress twirls through the crowd, lost in her own private dance.

Eden isn't just a place—it'stheplace in the summertime. But this isn't your average college party; it's an elitist playground where old-money families have interwoven their lives for generations. The last time I attended one of these parties, invisibility became my shield. Tonight, I'm hoping for the same superpower.

Jake's arm threads through mine as we navigate the crowd, his presence an anchor in the chaos. "Thirsty?" he asks.

My eyes betray me, drifting to Nate by the pool. A tall blonde—Farrah, I assume—clings to him, her dress barely more than a whisper against her skin. The sight twists something deep in my chest. "Actually, a drink sounds good," I say, hoping the tremor in my voice isn't as obvious as it feels.

"Vodka or beer?"

"Surprise me," I respond with a smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. If I'm going to survive tonight, I need something to dull these sharp edges.

"You good to wait here a sec?" Jake's tone is light, but his eyes search mine with concern.

"Sure." The thought of diving into that sea of bodies makes my anxiety spike higher than it already is.

"All right, I'll be right back. Don't get into trouble while I'm gone," he says before heading for the bar.

I watch as Jake weaves through the crowd, his confident stride and easy smile drawing attention like a magnet. When did he become Eden's most eligible bachelor? Sure, his swimmer's build explains the lingering glances, but I run on black coffee and cynicism these days—I'm immune to that all-American charm.

My gaze drifts back to Farrah and Nate. Her delicate features and glossy lips seem ready for a photoshoot, one arm draped possessively around his neck while the other holds a champagne flute. While Nate looks simultaneously bored and tense as she whispers in his ear. When he catches my eye, I quickly look away, still rattled by our intense encounter this morning.

Jake returns with two drinks. "Vodka, lime, and soda for the lady."

"You're drinking?" I ask, surprised.

"Vodka, lime, and soda—minus the vodka. Got to keep this body in top form.” He winks, nodding toward Ollie, who's working his charm on a pretty brunette. "And I've got to get you and that mess home safely."

Jake can read my distraction. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah." I force a smile, but my eyes betray me as they notice Nate and Farrah's absence. Anxiety coils in my stomach like a spring. I take a long sip of my drink; it burns a path down my throat.

Do people actually enjoy this?

"Whoa, easy tiger. I already have one Wells sibling I'm babysitting tonight," Jake teases.

"Ollie's the only one who needs babysitting," I retort with a smirk that masks the chaos beneath. Truth is, I'm barely holding it together—the anxiety is suffocating, and seeing Nate makes my skin feel too tight for my body.

"There are a few people I want to say hi to. Want to come?" Jake offers.

"No, you go," I say, the thought of small talk sending fresh waves of unease through me.Stay invisible, I remind myself.

"Are you sure? I could introduce you."

"No, it's fine, really. Go. I'll find you later." Another reassuring smile. I can always find a quiet corner to hide in until he's ready to leave.

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