“I had a really good time, Dora. Your roommates seem cool. Sorry I’m not taking you home.”

“No worries, Ron.” I kiss his cheek and then watch as he gets into his car.

Well, that went well. So happy there wasn’t too much awkwardness. I’m also glad he didn’t ask me out again since I hate letting people down.

I walk back into the warm restaurant and find our hosts and kiss them goodbye. My escorts wait patiently for me by the front door. I also kiss Sal on the cheek on my way over to meet up with Jeff and my roommates. Yes, I’m a little unsteady. I lost track of how many glasses of delicious wine I had. I don’t say a word as they move aside. Jeff pushes open the door letting in the cold, frigid air. I don’t remember it being cold when I said goodbye to Ron. The car is silent on the way home. I wish I could read minds.

This time, I stay awake until we reach the loft. Jeff takes his key and puts it onto the lock of my private entrance. I wave to the three as they go through the main entrance.

I hit the bed to stop the room from spinning and proceed to pass out.

14

I swear, that will be the last time I ever drink. Alcohol will never touch these lips again. My head feels like it’s ready to explode, and my mouth feels like it’s full of cotton, wool, or enough sand to fill the Sahara Desert. I’m so thirsty, but no water for me. That’s not what I need. I spy a hand holding a glass with red liquid in it, and I know it’s Jeff’s special “you drank too much wine last night” drink concoction.

“Here, Ms. Lush.”

I take the glass, giving him my evil, stink eye.

“How come you can drink as much as I do, but then you’re fine the next day?”

“Good genes,” The jackass says. Wait, that’s not his name. It’s already taken by the other jackass, my ex.

“I feel awful. I’m so glad I don’t have to work today.” I gulp down about half of the mysterious creation, and to be honest, it doesn’t taste half as bad as it looks.

“Yep, but we are expected at your parents today, remember? It’s Sunday.”

“Did you have to remind me? Call them and tell them I’m sick.” I end my sentence with a moan and put my pillow over my head.

“Nope. I’ll tell your mom the truth. That her sweet little daughter has a vino hangover.”

“You’re so evil sometimes, Jeff, you know that? Oh, and what was with that stunt you pulled last night? Bringing everyone to Papa’s?”

I feel him sit on the bed. “Well, it’s like this: I like your roommates. And in my opinion, either Drew or Colin would be good enough for you.”

He’s smiling, I can hear it in his voice.

“So you set me up on a date just to sabotage it. Great, that makes sense.” I open one eye and glare at him. Yep, he’s smiling.

“No, Ron was an experiment. Yes, he’s nice looking, but boring, and you need excitement in your life. Shake it up a little.”

Now would be the time to tell him he’s right, but I’m not going to give him the satisfaction. No, not going to happen.

“Now, it’s time for little Dora to get up and get ready. We have a fun day ahead of us.”

“Where did you ever get the impression I need more excitement? Spending time with my fam is plenty.” I groan as I sit up, putting my feet in the plush carpet.

“See, that wasn’t so hard. Now march your cute little butt into the shower, and I’ll get some decent clothes for our outing.”

I carefully close the bathroom door. I want to slam it, but I don’t think my head could take the agony it will produce. Lukewarm water streams over my head and down my body, making me feel a little better. Minutes later, with my body wrapped up in a towel, I open the door and see Jeff lounging on the bed he apparently just made. Next to him are the clothes he picked out for me. Frankly, I could care less if they match. In fact, the bed looks so inviting I’m tempted to push him off and steal under the covers. But the determined look on my torturer’s face makes me reach for my clothes and start to get dress.

“For the holy socks of mother earth, please turn down that screeching.” The pounding music from Jeff’s elaborate speaker setup in his car doesn’t make me feel any better.

“Hey, you like this group. Don’t be a grouch. You know I like listening to music when I drive.”

Sliding down into the plush leather seat, I pull my sunglasses out of my purse to shield my eyes from the unforgiving onslaught from the sun, and try to relax.

What feels like only seconds later, I hear Jeff’s joyful voice say, “We’re here,” and it pulls me out of my semi-sleep state.

“Just leave me in the car and—”

Before I can finish, he’s out of the car, pulling open my door, and I’m standing on my parents’ driveway. He tucks my hand in the crook of his arm, and I’m half walking, half being pulled to the front door.

Jeff opens the door and yells, “We’re here,” which shoots pain through my head like an electric shock. Seriously, no more wine for me, ever.

“Sweetie, you don’t look too well,” my mom says, always being the observant one. “You should have called and told us.”

Yeah, and if I had, she would have driven into the city. She’d probably run over several people doing so and get a ticket for some reason just to see what was plaguing her baby girl.

“I’m fine, Mom, really.” I wait for it, and yes, she puts her hand to my forehead and frowns.

“Not really warm, but maybe I should have your dad get the thermometer.”

“Really, Mom, I’m fine.”

“She’s hung over,” my awesome grandma says from behind her daughter.

“What? Are you?” My mom looks at me like I’m two and not twenty-two.

“Okay, so we went to Papa’s last night and I may have had a glass too much,” I admit, because I know I’m busted and it’s time to own up.

“See, I knew I was right,” Grandma says smugly, her arms crossed. I hate when she’s right.

“When was anybody going to let me know Dora and Jeff arrived?” The regal voice of Grandmother makes me want to crawl into my bed in my old room. I will get the regal glare when she finds out about my night of drunkenness, and receive the lecture that if I had attended finishing school, this wouldn’t have happened.

Yeah, right.

“Aha.”

They just arrived, Mother,” my dad speaks up, and I realize I didn’t even know he was here.

“I should have been informed. Hello, Dora and Jeffrey,” she says, reaching over and giving us air kisses on our cheeks.

“Time to eat.” My mom breaks up the awkward moment and we file like good little boys and girls into the dining room.

Minutes later, we’re joined by Taylor and Bridget, the latter looking disappointed by the absence of certain trio.

“Sorry, Bridg, the guys aren’t coming.”

“Oh nuts,” she quips as she plops down in her seat.

Thank goodness dinner is a quiet affair, as everyone seems preoccupied. I eat a little, but mainly just end up pushing my food around the plate since I still feel a little nauseous. Jeff’s thigh nudges mine every once in a while, and I completely ignore him. Yep, I’m still annoyed.

“We need a head count for Christmas Day,” Mom announces after she serves up a chocolate mousse pie for desert, which is my favorite, but not right now. No worries, though. I know I’ll be going home with a doggie bag.

“Can I be excused?” Bridget and Taylor chorus.

My mom nods her head, and they scramble to leave the room to escape the adults. Damn, I feel so old. I want to scramble off too.