Chapter 11

• We talked with Veronica until five in the morning. She was used to staying up all night and I knew that tomorrow was a day off and I could stay in bed all day. We drank everything in the fridge, first alcoholic, then non-alcoholic, ate all the appetizers and moved on to toast and jam. At five in the morning, it seemed logical. My friend listened to me almost without interruption, only opening her mouth in surprise and immediately covering it with her hand. I had to admit that she did this quite often, so the bright red manicure flashed in front of my eyes all evening. To be honest, I was surprised that she didn't make unnecessary jokes, snort, or roll her eyes. She listened attentively and just wondered.
• I was still in that strapless dress, still feeling Owen's fingers on my skin and burning with the memory of Aaron's kisses. No one had ever kissed me as greedily as he had. Not even Owen.
• At five in the morning, Veronica took out her cigarettes, which she kept in the back corner of the nightstand just in case, and we went outside and walked down the street. If we walked long enough, we could get to the beach, but before we got there, we settled into a small public garden. I often walked in these places, but I had never noticed them before, which was surprising.