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The bass stretches, warping slightly, pressing behind my eyes instead of into my chest. Lights smear at the edges. Gold bleeding into blue, blue into shadow.

I blink hard.

My limbs feel warm. Loose. Like my joints are negotiating instead of obeying.

I frown and shift.

Probably just the drinks. I had a couple earlier. That happens.

I stand, testing my balance.

It holds.

See? Fine.

I laugh at something Levi says, but the sound comes out a second late. Like my body answered before my brain caught up.

“You good?” Jamie asks, eyes sharp.

“Yeah,” I say easily. “Just need water.”

A quiet unease curls low in my chest.

My stomach clenches.

Oh.

“I think I need to sit down,” I say, even as I’m already doing it.

Jamie’s smile fades. “Audra?”

The room tilts—just a fraction.

Then my stomach rebels completely.

I barely have time to turn before I’m gagging, heat rushing up my throat. Someone shoves a napkin toward me. Another hand pulls my hair back.

It’s not dramatic. It’s messy and humiliating and fast.

Too fast.

When I straighten, breathing hard, the room feels farther away than it should. Like I’m watching it through water.

I try to stand.

I don’t make it.

Hands catch me.

Strong. Certain.

“You’re okay,” a voice says close to my ear. Calm. Steady. “I’ve got you.”

My forehead dips briefly against a shoulder. I don’t fight it. I don’t have the energy.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble.

“Don’t be,” the voice says immediately. “That wasn’t you.”