Page 55 of Kiss Slay Replay

I toss back the measly last sip of my champagne.

Luke gives the mic back to the DJ, who says something about getting the party started. I don’t feel like dancing. I’m not drunk enough yet.

“Lucas,” Evan says, standing to greet him. “I’m so impressed.”

“Cass helped.” Luke puts his arm around his wife and pulls her in for a kiss on the cheek.

“I told you to cut out any mention of the cosmos,” she says. “Space cadet.”

He salutes her.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom,” I lie. I’m going to get my cigarettes.

“I’ll go with you,” Cass says.

“No. I mean…you can, if you want. But I’m going back to the cabin. I…”

“Okay,” she says. “Fine. Go smoke.”

“Anyone need anything from the cabin? Yes? No?” I don’t give them a chance to answer. I’m up, heading out the door.

I make my escape.

6

There’s a chill in the air now that the sun has set. I make it as far as the steps and then stop, sit to take off my heels. My foot is purple, the swelling bad as ever. Even if I wanted to dance, I don’t think I could.

I linger on the steps, suddenly hesitant to venture out to the cabin alone. I attempt to reason with myself. If the Eyeball Man was out there, if he was real, if my dream was real, he’d have shown himself by now. The night has diverged, my déjà vu vanished. My brain must have glitched. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. Everything is

“Hey.”

I jump out of my skin.

“Whoa, whoa. It’s just me.” Danny. He emerges from the shadow of the reception hall.

“Sneaking up on me?”

“Not intentionally,” he says. “What are you doing out here?”

“Needed some air.” I almost leave it there, but I sense the opportunity for a temporary reprieve from my angst. A fun distraction. “I’m sorry. That’s a lie. I recently backslid into a smoking habit. I left my cigarettes at my cabin. I’m headed there now.”

“On that foot?”

“I’m managing.”

“You want an escort?”

“If you’re offering.”

“I’m offering,” he says, grinning. “I’m offering.”

I consider putting my heels back on but fuck it. I reach up and Danny pulls me to stand. He wraps his arm around me, and we start down the path.

“Nice night,” he says. “Look at all the stars.”

I tilt my head back. It’s incredible. The sky is this rich midnight blue streaked with the brightest stars I’ve ever seen—their gleam ethereal. This is the kind of view that makes you understand the invention of gods. That makes you cower at the majesty of nature. “Beautiful.”

“We should just stay out here for the rest of the night.” He slips his flask out of his pocket, unscrews the cap, and takes a swig. He offers it to me.