Shane pulled the car into Nicky’s long driveway, and sat with the engine off for a few moments, waiting for Hilary to make the first move.

After a few minutes of deafening silence, Shane turned to her. “Do you think we should maybe go in?”

Hilary looked over at him and forced a smile. “Sorry. I’m just nervous.”

“Why? I know that lot’s completely mad, but they all love you, so I suspect they won’t bite. Unless Mark gets really pissed, and mistakes you for a chicken leg.”

She laughed and unbuckled her seat belt. “It’s weird,” she said suddenly, turning her face towards his. “Being here without Kian.”

Shane reached out and put a hand on her arm. “Come on. Let’s go get sloshed.”

Once inside, Hilary was engulfed in huge hugs from various people, and then bustled into the kitchen with Georgina for some ‘girly chit chat.’

“How are you coping?” Georgina asked, sliding some appetizers onto a tray.

Hilary shrugged and sat on a stool. “Okay.” She swallowed. “I miss him.”

Georgina pulled a sympathetic face and hugged Hilary tightly. Hilary was thankful, then, that she had such caring friends. Even if she had met them through Kian.

“Let’s get you a drink, yeah?”

Hilary nodded and followed Georgina and a tray of food out into the spacious living room.

A few hours later, Hilary was slightly buzzed and had stopped obsessing over what Kian might be doing at that very moment. She was having a lovely chat with Gillian when a tall guy came up to them, passing Hilary a plate of food.

“Nicky says you have to eat something,” he said with a laugh. Hilary looked past him, to Nicky, who was waving at her and miming eating a lot of food.

“He thinks I’m getting smashed,” Hilary stated, giggling slightly as she popped some food into her mouth. “Actually, I do think I am getting smashed.”

Gillian laughed. “At least you don’t have to drive.” She gestured to her club soda with a disdainful look. “It is my turn to be designated driver, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” She sighed and excused herself to go and talk to her husband. Shane greeted her with a kiss and then they went to the buffet table so he could mop up some of the alcohol he’d consumed.

“I’m Luke.” A rather large, manly hand was put in front of Hilary’s face, and she shook it.

“Hilary. Nice to meet you.”

“I gathered you’re Kian’s girl?”

Hilary opened her mouth to protest, but suddenly felt violently ill, and rushed to the loo, knocking into Mark on the way and nearly taking them both down to the ground. He righted her and assisted her the rest of the way.

“I didn’t think I drank that much,” Hilary said while Mark put a cold cloth against her forehead. She leaned her head back against the bathtub and sighed heavily.

“I don’t usually realize how much I’ve drank until I’m far too pissed to count. By then the room is spinning, mind you, and I’m halfway to the floor.”

Hilary smiled up at him. “Sorry about this. I should have stayed home.”

Mark laughed. “And have Georgina pounding down your door in the morning? No way.”

She laughed with him, feeling a bit better.

“Can you stand, or can I play Knight In Shining Armor and carry you?”

Hilary shook her head, then wished she hadn’t, as another wave of nausea rolled over her. “I think I need to get home.”

Mark nodded, grasping her tightly around the waist and helping her up. “Let’s get you to Nix’s car. Mine’s new, and I would hate to have it christened by any one other than me.”

Hilary leaned her head against Mark’s shoulder and sighed, closing her eyes and drifting quickly off to sleep, wishing she hadn’t had anything at all to drink.