Chapter 46

We laughed. I looked at my watch. We had been playing for the better part of two hours. I was curious if anyone else was back in the common area. Kelly, who had reappeared, and Jess were in the kitchen feeding their passion for coke. We greeted them, and the girls decided to do full lines on top of their recent bumps. Somewhat surprisingly, I noticed Peter and Stephen had returned and were chatting casually on a couch.

"John! Join us!" Peter beckoned. "Bring a glass!"

I grabbed a Champagne glass off the bar and walked over to the couch. Peter poured me a glass, and I sat in a comfortable chair across from them.

"I’m just going to thank you right now for being open-minded about Jess," Peter said. "She’s a delight. And a dynamo."

"She’s a really special girl," I said. "I’ve known her a long time, and she’s never disappointed anyone!"

The girls walked over, chatting exuberantly. It was funny to se