Page 5 (2/2)

I didn’t like thinking about whatmy oldest friend and talented sorceress--and the woicked Sorcha Reed But I also knew that she probably wanted the break and release of a party as much as the rest of us So I decided I’d bide ate her later

The hostess returned with a large silver tray of mints, fruit, and cheese

"Please, sir," I said, hand over my stomach, "I do not want so off the tray when it was offered to her "That mousse-cake square did me in"

"It wasn’t the half dozen before it?" Margot asked dryly, chocolate hangover clear on her face

"I didn’t eat six ht," Lindsey said, licking chocolate off her thumb

Mallory looked a little horrified, and a little nauseous

"It’s all good," I said, patting Mallory’s hand "Special occasion"

"Says you I can actually gain weight, vah" This time, when she looked at the empty plates in front of most of the woood work here tonight"

"To us," Margot said, and lifted her glass "And to Merit, and Darth Sullivan"

"Hear, hear!" Mallory said And then she burped Which seemed appropriate

• • •

Still a little chocolate drunk, hisked back into the limo and shuttled to our next stop, which I hoped was a place for quiet contemplation of my bellyful of seventy-five-percent bittersweet

"My turn!" Lindsey said "And be warned--I aood," I said "Because you’re usually so quiet and reserved"

That got the chuckle it deserved

"What’s next?" I asked

"We’re going to do the party a little an style, she’dhole It was located in Wrigleyville, a neighborhood north of the Gold Coast and also holey Field

We pulled up in front, Sean holding open the door and his brother and fellow Irish the brass bell behind the bar