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Tully was the first to start dancing, then Johnny, and finally Kate At first she felt aard—literally a third wheel—but by the end of the song, shed softened The alcohol was a lubricant, ed and slowed down, she barely hesitated to step into Tully and Johnnys arether with a natural ease that was surprisingly sexy Kate stared up at Johnny, as gazing at Tully, and she couldnt help wishing just once hed look at her that way

"Ill never forget this night," Tully said to both of them

He leaned down and kissed Tully Kate was drunk enough that it took her a second to register what she was seeing Then came the pain

Tully pulled out of the kiss "Bad Johnny " She laughed, pushing him away

He moved his hand down Tullys back, tried to pull her close "Whats wrong with bad?"

Before Tully could answer, someone called out her name and she spun around

Chad was pushing through the gyrating, slasteen T-shirt, he looked like a hard rock guy in a neorld

Tully ran for him They kissed as if they were alone in the room, then Kate heard her friend say, "Take me to bed, old man "

Without a wave or a goodbye or a hello, they were gone Kate stood there, still in Johnnys ar at the door as if he expected Tully to return, to shout out April Fools and start dancing with theain

"She wont be co back," Kate said

Johnny snapped out of it Letting go of her, he went back to the table and ordered two drinks In the silence that followed, she stared at hi: Look at me

"That was Chad Wiley," he said

Kate nodded

"No wonder" He stared at the blank hallway on the other side of the dance floor

"Theyve been together a long tiht about et hiht she didnt care if she would be his second choice, or if it would be because of the booze Love could grow froht—"