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laughing at the irony. The band is on break and this DJ has a sense of humor. The only red in this room is the blood running through Julia’s veins, everyone else’s runs blue.
    Will’s hands wander down her back, one coming to rest on her ass, and she doesn’t stop him. She’s playing a part for her audience. Temptress. Sex goddess. This is her farewell performance. She has no intention of ever seeing any of these people again.
    Darcy is standing with a group of women near the dance floor, obviously sharing the story of their recent exchange. Her fiancé, Mackenzie, has been one of Julia’s most ardent admirers this evening. If Darcy only knew how easy it would be for Julia to lure Mac into one of the back rooms... it’s pathetic how easily men are manipulated when it comes to sex.
    Instead, Julia resists the urge to flip Darcy off and rests her head against Will’s chest, the sadness settling in. He touches the curve of her neck and tilts her head up, his mouth finding hers, and for the first time she feels… nothing . The electricity is gone, which should be a relief, but only manages to make her feel worse.
    “Aren’t you lucky,” she whispers and closes her eyes. “You won’t remember any of this in the morning.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    The following afternoon, Ellie drives Will to Julia’s to pick up their father’s car. He has the worst hangover of his life, and doesn’t remember leaving the wedding or the drive home. When he thinks about Julia having to find their way home from Hartford on her own, he’s consumed with guilt and shame. He wishes he could remember what happened last night. He vaguely recollects dancing with Julia…but his last clear memory is of the food being served.
    Everything else is a blur. Parker and Mac provided him with round after round of drinks from the moment he entered the ballroom. There was vodka, and rum…and tequila involved in his memory loss, that he knows.
    When he was in high school, they used to tease him for being a lightweight. “You’re Irish, man! Don’t be such a pussy.” He built a tolerance over time, but since he went to college, he’s spent less and less time with his old friends and drinking much less as a result.
    Ellie grills him the entire ride across town. His head’s splitting open and he wishes she’d shut the hell up!
    “Jesus Christ, Will, how much did you drink last night?”
    “I don’t know, El. A lot.”
    “She had to drive you home?” Ellie says, gritting her teeth. “Will, you totally blew it!” She whacks him on the side of his head.
    “Oww! Stop it!” he cries out, his head throbbing.
    “Last night was supposed to be the night. Why would you drink so much?”
    Why did I do that? Julia must be so upset with him. He’s furious with himself.
    “I don’t know, El,” he stares out the window and shakes his head. “I was hanging out with my friends. That’s what we do. Drink.”
    “You’re not in goddamned high school anymore, you idiot.” Ellie shakes her head in exasperation, and mumbles all sorts of choice phrases under her breath. Idiot was the kindest.
    “Well, here we are, you fucking moron. Go face the music.”
    He struggles to climb out of the car with an awful feeling of foreboding. Julia opens the front door and he makes the journey up the walkway, his head aching.
    Ellie’s right. I totally blew it.
    “Hey,” he says softly. Julia silently holds out his keys and he sheepishly apologizes. “I’m so sorry Jules. I shouldn’t have had so much to drink. I’m sorry you had to drive us home and I’m sorry I spoiled our night.”
    “No big deal. Here are your keys,” she mutters, still not making eye contact with him.
    “You’re upset,” he says. A statement, not a question.
    Julia looks him in the eye for the first time.
    “Why did you invite me to that wedding?” she asks, hands on her hips, nostrils flared, then raises her voice, “I want to know. Why?!”
    “I