Page 78 of Friend Me

I sipped the drink and shuddered when it burned my throat. “This is potent,” I choked out between coughs.

He tried a cautious sip. “Wow,” he wheezed. “You’re not kidding. I guess it’s been a while since college.”

“Hey, guys.” Tyler looked impossibly tall in a royal-blue embroidered satin coat, waistcoat, and breeches. On his head was a shaggy wig with horns that curled out of it. But he was no Beast. His familiar grin wavered when he took in Cooper’s and my coordinated costumes.

“Tyler!” I wanted to jump up and hug him, but I was trapped between Cooper and Alicia, a drink I didn’t want in my hand and no way to lever myself out of Sofa Canyon. I knew I was supposed to be angry with him, but it wasn’t anger—or the booze—that warmed me up from the inside.

“Hey.” His wave encompassed the three of us wedged onto the couch, and I deflated a little when he turned to Jackson for a bro-hug with shoulder smacks. Damned person-eating couch.

Cooper nudged my shoulder. “Drink up. You’re matching me tonight, Ms. Rice.”

In more ways than one.I took a tiny sip and then another. Now that I was used to the high alcohol content, I could taste the sweet orange flavor. “It’s not so bad after the first sip.”

Cooper drank again. “You’re right.” He rested his glass on his knee. “Nice costume, by the way.”

“Great minds think alike.” I smirked and patted the braid coiled over my ear. Damn, the wig was hot. I’d only chosen my costume—out of habit and a lack of inspiration—to match Cooper’s Han Solo one. Now I was just…disenchanted. And overheated. In retrospect, pestering Ben to find out what Cooper was wearing seemed silly.

I turned to check on Alicia, but her gaze was directed over my head. “Jamila. So good to see you.” She set down her glass and pushed her hands into the cushion to stand.

“Don’t get up.” The scent of jasmine floated over me as Jamila bent to hug Alicia. She straightened. “Hey, Marlee. Good to see you.”

By pushing against Alicia’s and Cooper’s knees, I levered myself up so I wouldn’t be staring at the short hem of her blue Wonder Woman skirt. Now I was at bustier level. Great. I ripped my gaze from her gorgeous boobs to her equally gorgeous face. “Good to see you, Jamila.”

She tugged forward the woman who’d been hovering behind her. “This is Jenny.” As she finished making the introductions, I glanced at Cooper, who was staring at the women’s clasped hands.Uh-oh.

I nudged his knee. “Drink up.”

He did.

* * *

Two hours later,the room—or I—had started to tilt, and everything made me laugh. I stood next to the bar with Jackson and Cooper. Jackson had one arm slung around Cooper’s shoulders and one arm around mine. I’d lost track of the number of times he’d refilled my cup with the toxic orange punch.

“You’re my two best friends,” Jackson slurred. His bunny nose and drawn-on whiskers were just a smear of pink and gray after two hours of hugging his guests and drinking.

“What about Alicia?” I asked. Drunk-Marlee found it suddenly important that we not forget my friend sitting across the room, talking to Sam.

“Right, she’s my best friend. And Noah. And the baby. Then you guys.” The last word was drawn out in a buzzy hiss.

Cooper frowned. “Thebaby’sabove me? I’ve known you for fourteen fucking years, and your baby’s not even born yet.” His voice rose. “How can afetusbe a better friend than me?”

Uh-oh.That Fallon temper was going to ruin Alicia’s party. I shushed him and reached around Jackson to lay a gentling hand on his forearm. “Of course Jackson’s going to love hisbabythe most. The baby’s family, silly. You’re not.” Jackson nodded slowly.

That orange punch waseviland if I ever see it again, I’ll set it aflame. Because Cooper, who’d had at least one too many, if not two, collapsed onto Jackson’s shoulder, and I saw his back heave up into a hiccup—or a sob. He mumbled something I couldn’t hear.

Jackson patted his friend’s back. “’S okay, Coop.”

On the other side of the room, Alicia’s mouth tightened.

No way would I let Cooper upset her at her own party.

“I’ve got this, Jackson. Why don’t you go check on Alicia?” I helped him disentangle himself from Cooper, who was still muttering, and draped him over my own shoulders. I rubbed his back while Jackson made his escape.

“Hey, now. Why don’t we get you some water?” People around us were starting to stare, so I led him toward the kitchen.

“Never be the same,” he mumbled.

“Oh, sweetie, you’ll be fine tomorrow. I’ll make sure you have some water and ipo—ibo—iboprufen. Ibuprofen, I mean.”

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