CYNTHIA's P O V

‘‘Will you let me have this dance?’’ Alex inquired, but did not wait for my response before taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor, where other guests were already dancing.

Alex's suggestion that we should make Julian jealous was the only thing that could pry me away from the mini bar, where I was planning on staying so that I could drink myself to death.

I was deep in thought when Alex jerked me out of it by waving his hand in front of my face. ‘‘Hey, let’s do this together, all right?’’ His tone conveyed a sense of foreboding and concern.

I...