“What’s his problem?” Darlene grumbles.
“Don’t mind him,” Zane says, diplomatic as ever.
“Yeah, sugar,” Heath adds, cupping his wife’s face. “Don’t look so glum. We can always party it up without him. Ain’t that right, Willow?”
I nod, a comforting warmth washing over me. “Right.”
Heath takes a deep breath and shouts at the top of his lungs, “LET’S GET WASTED!”
* * *
Turns out, I’m a margarita gal. They arede-licious.
One turns into two. Two turns into four. Before I know it, I’ve forgotten basic mathematics because I officially lost count of how many drinks I’ve had.
Heath, I’m quickly realizing, is the life of the party. He’s constantly spit balling ideas, his brain running a mile a minute despite his very clearly inebriated state.
“You know what we should do?” he asks, slurring his words. “We should go bungee jumping. I think they have a bungee jumping attraction somewhere on the Strip!”
I shake my head. “Oh, no. No, no, no. Absho—lutelynot. Mm-mm.”
“Are youscared?” Darlene taunts good naturedly. “I bet Zane would jump with you. Right, Zane?”
Zane doesn’tlookdrunk. He sits upright perfectly fine, his expression impassable. The only reason I know he’s as buzzed as I am is because he’s the touchy-feely type of drunk. He showers me with plenty of hugs and kisses and praise. He especially likes to hold my hand, lacing his fingers between mine like he’s afraid to let go.
“I’d jump,” he says, his words perfectly clear. “I’ve jumped out of airplanes before. It’s not that scary.”
“Not that scary,” I say with a huff. “You know what?”
“What, darling?”
“I don’t bel—eaf you.”
“I’d keep you safe.”
“Safe jumping out of an airplane? Or bungee jumping?”
“Both.”
I shake my head, resting my cheek on his strong shoulder. “I don’t like doing scary things. Let’s go to a petting zoo or something.”
“They have petting zoos here?” Darlene gasps.
“I think you’re very brave,” Zane mumbles against my ear.
I giggle. His breath tickles my neck. “You’re only saying that t’be nice.”
“No, no. I mean it. I think you’re the bravest woman in the world.”
I pat his cheek. “You flatter me.”
Darlene coos. “You two aresooooocute. Don’t they look cute, Heath?”
He nods, eyes droopy with intoxication. “Yep. Cute, cute, cute. Practic’ly a married couple.”
“You know what you should do?” Darlene asks, pointing a finger in our general direction. I don’t think she can see straight enough to actually point us out.
“What?” I ask.