Chapter 78

EMILIA

Somehow, I never seem to learn from my mistakes.

My head is pounding like it’s trying to crack itself open from the inside—embarrassing, considering I barely drank half as much as Lacey did last night, and yet I ended up twice as drunk. Story of my life.

Maybe it’s time I finally admit that alcohol and I just aren’t a good match.

I’m still sifting through the fog of my bad decisions when a flood of light slices through my eyelids. I hiss and groan, dragging the covers higher over my face.

“Rise and shine, beautiful,” Liam sings, his voice far too chipper for a human being. I squint one eye open to see him standing by the window, sunshine pouring in behind him, grinning like it’s Christmas morning.

“I hate you,” I mutter, dragging the blanket higher—only for him to yank it off me with no remorse.

Now would be a good time to mention a deeply unfortunate discovery I’ve made: Liam is a morning person. A fully functioning, smiling-before-c