Page 81 (1/2)

I sat on the sand beside her "Hey"

"Of course it would be you," she said, slurring her words

"Why ‘of course’?"

She took another swig The ring was on her finger "I noticed you didn’t say anything tonight It’s considered polite, you know, to congratulate the bride-to-be"

"Okay, congratulations"

"You say that with such conviction" She sighed mournfully "Jesus, am I drunk Get this away fros remained; I wished there were more There were times to be sober, and this wasn’t one of them I polished it off and tossed it away

"If you didn’t want to, why did you say yes?"

"With everyone staring at me? You try it"

"So back out He’ll understand"

"No, he won’t He’ll ask and ask, and I’ll eventually give in and be the luckiest woman on earth, to be married to Jonas Lear"

We were quiet for a tihed sarcastically Her gaze was cast over the sea "Why not? Everybody’s doing it"

"That night in New York I was asleep, and so"

"Did you now"

"Yes, I did" I waited Liz said nothing "Did you…kisslike that?"

She was looking right at me "Liz--"