She disappeared into the crowd before Lizzy could stop her.
“This. Is. Amazing,” Lydia said, pulling her phone out of her bag, ready to record.
“Put away your phone, Lydia,” Lizzy said.
“Why? You just had yours out.”
“Yes, but the invite said no photos,” she explained.
Lydia scoffed. “I’m not taking photos. This isvideo.”
“Just be discreet,” Jane chimed in. “Annabelle doesn’t want anything to do with the party showing up online. I guess if Vivienne’s ex sees her spending any money, his lawyer could start making a fuss about alimony.”
Lizzy shot her sister a wry grin. “I didn’t realize you were spending every spare moment with the whole Pierce family now.”
Jane looked away, but Lizzy could still see her sister blush. “We don’t spendthatmuch time together.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Lizzy said, patting Jane’s hand. “Or, you know, doesn’t.”
Jane’s rouged cheeks turned bright red as a laugh burst out of her.
“Lizzy!” Piper’s voice rang out over the music. A moment later, their friend emerged from the dance floor, unsteady in her heels as she threw an arm around Lizzy’s shoulder. She had an unnaturally blue drink in her hand, topped with a pink paper umbrella.
“Hey!” Lizzy replied, working to maintain her balance as her friend leaned against her. “What are you drinking?”
“I have no idea, but it’s delicious. And strong.” Piper took a deep sip from the small straw. “Very strong.”
Lizzy laughed.
The DJ transitioned to “The Tide Is High” by Blondie, and there was a collective cheer across the verandah. One voice rose above the rest, though, a shrill cry that made Lizzy cringe.
“Oh my God!” Mrs. Bennet screamed from somewhere in the crowd. “Ilovethis song! Donna! Remember this song?”
Lizzy turned to Lydia. “Can you go make sure she doesn’t fall off the dance floor and into the pool?”
“Nope.” Lydia waltzed away. “I’m working. I need some content for the weekend, and this place is perfect!”
Lizzy let her head fall back in frustration. Tonight was shaping up to be exhausting.
“I’ll go check on your mom,” Piper said.
“Are you sure?” Jane asked.
Piper nodded, the small straw still in her mouth. “Gives me a good excuse to steal that drink out of my mom’s hand. She has absolutely zero tolerance.”
With that, Piper sucked up the last dregs of her drink, handed the empty glass to a passing waiter, then started forward to the dance floor.
“And then there were two,” Lizzy said with a sigh, leaning into Jane’s side.
Her sister rested her cheek against Lizzy’s red hair. “Has Tristan texted?”
“Not yet.” Lizzy didn’t point out that she had already texted him and he hadn’t replied yet.
“He will,” Jane said with an encouraging smile. “It might not have been an official date, but he wouldn’t just stand you up. Right?”
Lizzy nodded, even though she wasn’t entirely sure. Yes, Tristanhad been the one to suggest getting together, but he hadn’t exactly committed to coming. Even now, she didn’t feel hurt, only a growing hole inside where disappointment should have been. The same hole that seemed to materialize when she’d deferred her acceptance to Columbia.
She shook the thought loose and turned back to her sister. Tonight wasn’t about her. At least, not anymore.
