“What are you guys talking about?” Marcy asked through a mouthful of food.

“How much fun this is!” Thea said with far too much exuberance. Then she rolled her eyes and walked away.

Marcy wiped her mouth on the back of her arm. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know.” Gemma shook her head and sighed. “Everything just kind of sucks right now. And Liv is horrible.”

“Duh. She’s an evil, murderous sea wench. If she isn’t being horrible, then she isn’t doing her job.”

Gemma knew she was right, and that was the worst part of it.

“So anyway, who’s that foxy guy?” Marcy asked and pointed vaguely to the middle of the room.

“What guy?” Gemma asked, glancing in the general direction that Marcy had pointed. “Aiden?”

Marcy scoffed. “No, that guy’s a dick. That cute one with the nice butt.” She pointed again, and this time it was directly at Kirby Logan. He was at the appetizer table, and he sniffed a cracker before putting it back down.

“Kirby?” Gemma asked.

Marcy nodded. “Yeah, him.”

“You’re into Kirby?”

“No. Maybe. Why? What’s it to you?” Marcy narrowed her eyes at Gemma.

Kirby was cute, so that’s not what surprised her about Marcy’s liking him. It was mostly just the fact that Marcy liked anybody that shocked her. Plus, he was only nineteen, and Marcy was twenty-five. Not that she acted like it.

“Nothing,” Gemma said. “He’s just like a lot younger than you.”

“So? I’ve always fancied myself a cougar,” Marcy declared. “Is he nice?”

“Yeah, he’s really sweet.” She paused before adding, “He’s a pretty good kisser, too.”

Marcy wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Gross. You kissed him?”

“We dated for like a minute.” Gemma waved it off. “It doesn’t count at all. If you’re into him, then by all means, have at him.”

“Saliva stays in your mouth for three months after you kiss someone, so his mouth is all full of your germs,” Marcy said.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not true. And even if it is, I’m not all that germy. I promise.”

“Whatever.” Marcy handed her plate to Gemma, then wiped her hands on her jeans. “I’m going in.”

Gemma picked at what little food Marcy had left on her plate and watched as Marcy went up to Kirby. She considered moving closer so she could overhear them because she couldn’t imagine how Marcy flirted. But Kirby was a nice enough guy, so it hopefully wouldn’t be a total disaster.

ELEVEN

Flirtations

“Hey, Gemma,” Harper said, and Gemma glanced over to see Harper and Daniel approaching her, hand in hand. “Sorry it took so long for us to get here. Daniel had to clean up and get the set ready for tomorrow.”

That’s what Harper said, but she lowered her eyes when she said it, and her dark hair looked a little mussed. Daniel’s shirt was also buttoned crooked. If Gemma had to guess, she would’ve said they’d stayed behind a little longer to get in a quick makeout session.

Not that she blamed them. They were new to this long-distance thing, and as much as they both insisted it was fine, being away from each other had to be hard. So it was good when they could get a moment alone together.

“I understand,” Gemma said, smiling to herself.

“You were great in the play tonight, by the way,” Daniel said. “Or at least you looked that way from backstage.”

“Thanks,” Gemma said. “The set looked amazing.”

“It really did,” Penn chimed in, and Gemma had to fight back a groan as Penn smiled up at Daniel. “You are quite the handyman.”

Daniel had been here for all of a minute before Penn found him. Gemma didn’t completely understand what was going on between the two of them, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. She trusted Daniel not to do anything to hurt Harper, but Penn’s interest in him was definitely getting more intense.

“Hello, Penn,” Harper said, smiling tightly at her. She’d been holding Daniel’s hand, but he let go and moved away from her slightly. “I didn’t know you were coming to this party.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Penn winked at Daniel, who shifted uncomfortably. “So how are your studies going, Harper?”

“Better, now that you’ve taken my roommate off my hands. It’s much quieter.” Harper kept smiling at her. “So thanks for the favor.”

“You know me.” Penn’s tone got even more seductive than normal. “I love to serve.”

“I think I’m gonna go get a soda,” Daniel said, taking a step away. “Do you want anything, Harper?”

“A bottled water, please,” she said.

“I’d like a glass of wine,” Penn told him before he’d escaped.

He hesitated, glancing between Harper and Penn, then asked, “What kind?”

Penn smiled broadly. “Red. Merlot.”

“I’m not sure if the bartender will serve me without ID, but I’ll see what I can come up with,” Daniel said, and hurried away to the bar.

“Your boyfriend is very eager to please,” Penn told Harper as she stared after Daniel.

“Liv seems eager, too,” Gemma interjected, and pointed to Liv. “She’s coming on pretty strong, actually.”