“That’s too bad,” Nina said. Silence fell between them for a moment. Then Nina added, “Should we go get a drink, at least?”
Daphne wondered at her use of the word we, as if they might actually be allies now, or at the very least, no longer enemies. What was that saying—politics makes strange bedfellows?
“Then we can go our separate ways and go back to hating each other,” Nina added, in such a matter-of-fact tone that Daphne chuckled.
“Makes sense,” she agreed. “I think we deserve a drink after that debacle.”
The two of them headed toward the party as the opening lines of Kelli B’s song blasted into the night.
Nina hadn’t expected to stay at Gabriella’s party this late. When she finally handed her claim ticket to a valet, it was after midnight, and she had at least a dozen texts from Rachel. They were all variations of How is it? and Send pics! until the last text, which read simply, OMG ARE THESE POSTS FOR REAL? IS KELLI B PERFORMING?
Rachel didn’t know about Nina’s unholy alliance with Daphne; she didn’t even know that Nina’s financial aid had been withdrawn. Somehow Nina couldn’t bear the thought of telling her friends. That stubborn pride will be your downfall, her mamá always said. But Nina wasn’t ready to see the pitying looks on all their faces. As long as she didn’t tell them about it, her situation didn’t feel quite real.
And she kept hoping, stupidly, that Daphne’s ridiculous plan might actually work, and she would find a way out of this whole mess.
After their failed attempt to snoop through Gabriella’s room, Nina had almost returned to campus. Except…she and Daphne had gotten that drink together before parting ways, and then Nina decided, why not stay awhile? She actually liked Kelli B. She was already here; she might as well enjoy herself at a concert on the Madisons’ dime.
By now it had gotten colder, the air heavy with a mist that wasn’t quite rain. As her eyes adjusted, Nina realized that a thin figure stood at the bottom of the steps.
“Daphne? Are you waiting for someone?” She decided not to ask why Jeff wasn’t with his girlfriend.
“I’m calling a car,” Daphne said happily, clicking at a ride-share app. Nina wasn’t trying to be nosy, but she couldn’t help noticing that the screen said No drivers available in your area.
Nina’s car—actually Sam’s car, which Sam had insisted on lending her for the duration of the League of Kings conference—pulled up the driveway. A valet hopped out and held the driver’s side door open for her.
At the bottom of the steps, Nina hesitated. Perhaps her mamá’s voice was echoing in her head, or perhaps it was all her years of Sunday school. Love thine enemy, right?
“I can give you a ride home,” she offered.
Daphne narrowed her eyes, swaying a little. “Should you be driving?”
“I barely had two beers.” Nina started to say more, but Daphne cut her off.
“I know, I was with you! You dared me to get that second drink!”
“What are you talking about?” Nina asked, bewildered.
“When you told me you were going back to the bar and asked if I wanted another vodka soda!” Daphne’s sentences were louder than normal, punctuated with clear exclamation points, and she was twirling a strand of hair around one finger.
Nina realized, stunned, that Daphne Deighton was drunk.
“When I offered to get you another drink, I was trying to be nice,” Nina said slowly. “I wasn’t trying to challenge you to some kind of drinking contest.”
Daphne’s mouth fell open in a pink O of surprise. Then she laughed. “Well, I saw it as a contest, and I had to drink because I couldn’t let you win!”
“Daphne, not everything is a competition.”
“Luckily for you!” Daphne said cheerfully. “You would lose at so many things! Dancing, standing guard at Gabriella’s door, wearing heels.”
Nina bit back a smile as she glanced down at her flats. “You think wearing heels is a core life skill, don’t you?”
“Of course it is,” Daphne said solemnly. “That’s how you can tell a lady, because she’s great at walking in heels, no matter how high they are. Like this!” She glided forward for two steps, only to trip on the third. A sheepish expression stole over her face as she righted herself, smoothing her dress as if nothing had happened. “Now you know why I couldn’t go home with Jefferson. I can’t let him see me like this.”
“You mean, a drunk mess?” Nina asked, almost amused.
“I prefer the term overserved.”
“That’s it. I’m taking you home.” Nina shoved Daphne rather inelegantly toward the Jeep.
Daphne hesitated, then seemed to reach a decision. “Fine. But only because I can’t afford to let this dress get rained on.”
“Right. Because you’re doing me a favor, letting me drive you home,” Nina deadpanned.
“Of course I am. I’m fantastic company.” Daphne said it in such a breezy, matter-of-fact tone that Nina choked out an unexpected laugh.
She pulled down the driveway and onto the Madisons’ street. Here, the houses were set so far back on their lots that all you could see as you drove past were hedges and iron gates.
“Take a left at Tanglewilde,” Daphne said at the stop sign, and Nina obediently hit her blinker.
A sound echoed through the car. It took Nina a moment to realize that it was Daphne’s stomach growling.
“When did you last eat?” she demanded, and Daphne bit her lip uncertainly.
“I had an iced latte this morning. Oh, and half a banana!”
“No wonder you got wasted off two drinks! Didn’t anyone teach you to carbo-load before a party?” It was something Nina’s parents had told her before she left for college: Always eat pizza before you go out, Isabella had said, and Julie added, Or a sandwich! Or frozen waffles! Anything with bread, lots of bread! Nina had laughed, and told them that they were welcome to send her a weekly delivery of bagels.
She had a feeling Daphne’s parents never gave her advice like that. If anything, they were probably buying her a scale and helping her count calories.
“Take a right here,” Daphne went on, but Nina ignored her and kept driving. “Nina, what are you doing?”
“We’re making a pit stop.”
Daphne’s green eyes widened. “We can’t—I don’t—”
“Relax. No one here cares who you are.” Nina jerked her head toward the backseat. “There’s a hoodie back there if you want it.”