Chapter 269

I caught Carly’s eye and made a head nod toward the nearest cocaine setup. She gave a half-smile but proceeded toward us.

"Carly!" I said, greeting her loudly. "So glad you could make it! You remember Kat, of course, and I’m sure you know Juliet."

Carly hugged me and gave me a peck on each cheek. She had gone the matronly route with a floor-length toga.

"Kat, so nice to see you again," she said, and they exchanged the same hug and double-cheek-kiss. "And, Juliet, it has been far too long. You have been so busy! And so successful! I’m admiring from afar, rest assured."

Juliet, until a moment ago so bubbly and talkative, seemed at a loss for words. She blushed. Her shoulders shrugged up, and she giggled like a schoolgirl meeting a crush.

"God, I don’t know what to say," she said. "Thank you. That’s, fuck, that is just the nicest thing. I mean, especially coming from you. I mean, you’re, like, my idol.