Chapter 53: A Seat at the Table

I watched Alessandro disappear further into the crowd.

"You and Alessandro seem close."

"We've been friends since my sophomore year," Nicole replied.

I turned to face her. She was looking straight ahead, watching the people scattered around the room as though she'd just answered a perfectly ordinary question. Maybe it was.

I looked at her for another second before she finally turned toward me.

"Want something to eat or drink?" she asked.

I took a moment to answer, my brain still stuck on 'friends since sophomore year'. "Yeah, sure."

She stood, smoothing down her dress before looking at me. "Alcohol or nah?"

"One of us has to drive."

Nicole gave me a cheeky smile. "True. I'll be back."

I looked around while Nicole disappeared into the crowd, and it occurred to me that this was probably the most mature party I'd ever been to, despite the fact that I went to parties once in a very dark blue moon.