24. Party Crew

With my third beer halfway downed, I slumped against a large rock and watched my friends dance. Clearly, they were having a blast while my mind kept drifting to Elijah, and the need to go to him only grew.

I mean, a shady love potion—at least, I assumed that was what it was—and a few beers, then going to him. What could possibly go wrong?

I giggled to myself, taking another long sip of my beer.

“You okay over there, Hails?” Celeste called out to me, her hips swaying to the rhythm of the music. “You sure you don’t want to join us over here?”

I held up my bottle and grinned. “Just peachy.”

“Uh-oh.” Ariah stopped dancing, peering anxiously over at Nate and Celeste, but I honestly couldn’t fathom why. I mean, the night was still young, and I was feeling…

Ugh. I wanted to go to Elijah so badly I felt like I was on the verge of insanity. “I need to go.”

I pushed up from the sand, and Ariah was at my side in a flash, balancing my weight. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Nate snorted. “Oh,