chapter 12

I took another sip of my drink, feeling the familiar warmth spread through me. The evening had stretched on, the conversation flowing as freely as the wine. But now, as I set my glass down on the table beside me, I noticed Amory watching me with a concerned expression.

"I think you're drunk," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Why don't we call it a night?"

I scoffed, a grin spreading across my face. "Drunk? Who? You, Amory?" I dropped the glass cup onto the table with a clink, crossing my arms defiantly. "Then why don't you head to bed first?"

He sighed, shaking his head slightly. "I'm serious. You've had quite a bit to drink."

I laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet room. "Oh, Amory, you're no fun." I reached up to tie my hair back but realized I couldn't find the hair tie. My eyes began to wander around the room, searching. There it was, on the table across the room. I pointed at it, somewhat clumsily. "That’s mine."

Amory stood up and walked over to retrieve it, his movem