Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. You are so fabulous. I adore you all and treasure all the feedback.

It's time for Victoria Hartley's Labor Day yacht party. A little writing note for you, I did the initial draft of the story over Memorial Day weekend. It provided good inspiration, Although I feel like the parties in my neighborhood are slightly less pretentious. The immediate vicinity, anyway, down the road is probably worse.

Chapter 66: Summer's end

Labor Day 2010 1:33 PM EDT

DJ: Why do I have to start class today and you get to go to a party? It is entirely unfair. I already have homework.

Justin: Because Europeans go to school more than Americans, and Uncle Daniel doesn't want to give your grandparents a reason to sue for custody.

DJ: True. They would use anything.

Justin: Also, you have fewer public holidays in England.

DJ: It's worse than France. There's nothing else this year until Christmas. At least having to visit the grandparents every few weeks means I get Fridays off occasionally.

Justin: Maybe the American school system isn't that horrible. Also, aren't you taking a week's break from classes for Fashion Week?

DJ: For Paris Fashion Week, not UK Fashion Week. It would be too many hours away from class to do both, and the grandparents' lawyers are watching. I'm still worried that they will use the private tutors against me regardless of how many hours I spend in class time.

Justin: Probably because they want another payday from Breanna.

DJ: They don't know the money is coming from her. Otherwise, they would have asked for more last time. She has deeper pockets.

Justin: Probably.

Justin: Do you at least like your tutor? I haven't met ours yet. Although Stephanie is supposed to be a friend of Monique's nanny and Mercedes's sister-in-law, Skye. She came with excellent credentials.

DJ: Are you still a sister-in-law after a divorce?

Justin: They're not divorced yet, and considering Mercedes like Skye more, I think she gets to keep her in the divorce.

DJ: That makes sense. Patrice is not horrible. At least he hasn't taken my phone. He also is fluent in French, which works better for schoolwork.

Justin: Are you doing most of your class work in French?

DJ: Both languages. Which was another reason why I pushed for tutoring. I will get more out of it this way than boarding school here.

Justin: I should probably do that too. French is essentially the language of the fashion industry. I'm shocked Uncle Daniel is just now learning.

DJ: Because when he was supposed to learn the language, he was learning my mother instead.

Justin: LOL

DJ: He's making up for it by trying to speak with me in French at home more now that you're back in the states. When do you leave for the party?

Justin: The car is picking me up in about an hour. We're all gathering at Vivien's penthouse beforehand. We have to strategize.

DJ: Victoria won't try to attack Austin at the party?

Justin: No, too many witnesses. She can still be a complete bitch, though. Actually, I wonder if Matt is going with Cory as a distraction.

DJ: Him coming out will definitely be a distraction.

Justin: In the Country Club circuit, Matt is still technically in the closet, but it's a very transparent closet.

DJ: I just had to use the translation software, and I still don't entirely understand that.

Justin: Everybody knows that Matt is bisexual, but nobody acknowledges it. Especially his parents.

DJ: Like Candy and Becks' relationship?

Justin: Yes, except Matt is self-aware. Most likely, everybody will pretend that Cory is just Matt's boss.

Justin: Which may or may not be accurate for the moment, but it's the principle of the matter.

DJ: LOL

DJ: Send me pictures and other things to keep me from being bored.

Justin: I will.

DJ: When do you have class hours? I have classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Thankfully time working at Mode counts as class time for my internship component.

Justin: Right, because England is practical like that. I don't know what my hours are yet. I think I will end up with lots of homework, especially if I try to test out early.

DJ: Let me know how it goes tomorrow. Is that your first day of class?

Justin: Yes, unfortunately. I would have waited until we finished Fashion Week, but that will not happen. I have no idea how I will juggle going to shows and classwork.

DJ: Maybe your tutor will combine some stuff. Patrice is going to count my article writing as my English component.

Justin: Lucky you.

Justin: I need to finish my eyes before the car arrives, but I'll send you pictures when I'm done.

DJ: You better.

Justin: Austin will too. He will send a group message to you, Breanna, and Tyler.

DJ: As part of his efforts to build a relationship with Uncle Tyler?

Justin: Yes.

DJ: I will help in any way I can.

Xxxxx

A little later, elsewhere in Manhattan.

"Justin did an outstanding job," Matt said the moment Cory opened the door. The man looked good. So good that Matt really wished he wasn't taking him to a party with his mother and baby brother.

"He did. I might have to engage his services to pick out outfits to wear for business dinners. I am still recovering from burning most of my clothes after the break-up last year." Cory explained.

"I feel like there's a story there."

"I hate shopping and let my ex-boyfriend dress me up. Then he did what he did, and I reenacted the scene from Waiting to Exhale at my sister Hillary's beach house." Cory explained.

"As long as you did it responsibly."

"My sister had a fire extinguisher ready and everything. Hilary has only started helping me rebuild my wardrobe. I couldn't keep anything he bought me on principle."

"I think I will have to engage Justin to finish rebuilding your wardrobe. That really looks good on you." I really want to see you out of it.

"I may consider taking you up on that offer because I truly despise shopping and need outfits for clients. Monique was still helping me with that part. However, I'm all my own now that she has additional responsibilities with Jamie." Cory explained.

"You can sell advertisements in anything."

"And I have. Mostly band T-shirts filled with holes." Matt laughed at that as they made their way toward the elevator.

"So, are we going directly to the party, or do we have another stop first?" Cory asked. "I feel we would be unfashionably early if we get there now."

"We're joining everybody at Vivian's penthouse for pre-party drinks and possibly real food."

"You should have told me I would have just met you at your apartment. You didn't have to come out all the way here."

"I was already out because our outfits weren't ready until this morning. Austin is actually waiting in the car."

"You look fabulous, so it was worth the wait. Although we can't keep your brother waiting." Cory pressed the button for the elevator.

"No, we can't."

"Especially because we have to pick up his boyfriend first."

"I'm surprised you're not getting angry text messages." Cory laughed.

"That's only because I haven't given him the phone number for this week yet. If today goes badly, I will probably have to change it early." Matt was concerned things would go badly. He was sure that Victoria would go nuclear. Matt's only hope was that she would take herself out during the explosion.

"Good call."

xxx

"Oh my God, I love that outfit. It looks so good on you. I told you tailored outfits make a difference." Justin said after giving his boyfriend a gentle kiss.

"I'll pass your compliments to aunt Brianna's team. However, I'm already getting angry text messages from Vivian, so we need to get to the penthouse." Matt said impatiently as he waited for Justin and Austin to slide into the limo's backseat. Thankfully it was a black limo this time and not the purple monstrosity from the weekend Jamie was born.

"She wants us to have time to eat before we leave. Apparently, the food at these things is pretentious and barely edible." Austin explained.

"As someone who used to wait tables at these events, I agree with that assessment. Although the drinks are pretty good. I usually had one or two to get through the shift." Austin felt he wasn't lying about that.

"Which makes sense for any party being organized by my mother. The winter ball is Brianna's event, and the food is actually good at that one. Now anyway." His brother added.

"She must've taken over after I no longer needed to work catering jobs to make ends meet," Cory commented.

"She took over right after Alexis Junior was born, so that makes sense," Matt explained. "That's when Dad decided it was time for her to do something with the foundation."

"So, what else do we need to know to survive this since both of you have been here before?" Austin asked. He really wanted to get through this evening without a catastrophe occurring.

"Obviously, we're all going to be staying the hell away from my mother. Austin, you're not allowed to be alone with her." Austin tried not to roll his eyes at his brother's protectiveness. He knew it wasn't just paranoia on his part but genuine concern.

"I already received that speech from Vivian, Antonella, Monique, and Mercedes. Mercedes also gave me pepper spray." Austin pulled out a canister in his pocket.

"And Monique?" Matt prompted.

"She said to record everything and let the lawyers figure it out."

"That is definitely my boss. Although this might be the time to check to see if New York is a one-party state regarding recording conversations," Cory advised.

"I'll check." Justin already had his phone out, searching away. He was a good boyfriend that way.

"You should also know that my sister Hillary will be there," Cory added. "Although she doesn't know I'm gonna be there. So, expect to see me tackled by a blonde woman in 4-inch heels," Cory warned.

"This is related to the complicated story of your birth father?" Matt asked.

"Let's just say it's similar to what happened with Monique, except my mom decided to keep me. The sperm donor didn't want me, but Hillary did. So, I am on speaking terms with her,"

Cory explained.

"And she is somebody who would be invited to a very Victoria Hartley yacht party?" Justin asked

"Yes. Actually, Hillary went to the same boarding school as your Uncle Daniel. Although they weren't in the same year. She's a little older than him. Hillary is poised to take over the family company as soon as the board can get the sperm donor to retire."

"That definitely sounds like somebody my mom would invite. Will your sperm donor be there?" Matt asked.

"I don't know, and I don't care. He means nothing to me." Cory said adamantly. Austin was starting to understand why Cory got him so well. He really understood what Austin was dealing with because he lived that life.

"I feel the same way about possibly meeting my sperm donor." Austin lamented. "Do you know if he's going to be there?"

"Monique checked with his assistant, and Cal is supposed to be in the Hamptons this weekend with the new girlfriend." Austin exhaled in relief at those words. He wasn't ready to deal with Cal Hartley at all. I don't remember her name; honestly, I don't want to."

"Thank God. I don't want to see him." Austin was furious that the man had already given money for Tyler to go away.

"You won't. Even if Cal shows up, I'll keep him away from you," Matt promised, and Austin believed him.

Xxxx

A bit later

Antonella: Where are you? I am drinking your virgin Mimosa if you're not here in 10 minutes.

Austin: The driver just dropped us off. You know you didn't have to come with us. You could be playing with your new nibblings.

Antonella: Of course, I have to come. Someone has to protect you from the country club vultures. Also, I love my nibblings, but I need a break, and Jade wasn't even there yet.

Austin: The St. Paul – St. James haven't even dropped their kid off, and you are worried about us being late? Sometimes you're ridiculous. Also, when they marry, I hope they don't hyphenate their name and just choose one. Please tell me Jade doesn't have both last names?

Antonella: Technically, she still has Jody's last name. They are in the process of legally having it changed, although I'm not sure if they will use both last names.

Antonella: I want you to have time to eat at least. I went last year and regret not having a snack beforehand. You need your strength for the vultures.

Austin: You have a good point. Again why are you coming when you don't have to? Do you really want to have to deal with the vultures again?

Antonella: I won't. They won't be interested in me with the new ward of Vivian Wyndham West there.

Austin: I feel like they would still care about the shiny new step-granddaughter.

Austin: Sort of

Antonella: Close enough. Monique's my guardian. Although we didn't go for a full adoption because of the age difference.

Austin: That makes sense.

Antonella: It's going to be okay. We will protect you.

Austin: I hope you're right about that.

Xxxxx

Even later, at Monique's hotel room

"Jamie has gotten so big. They're adorable in their little princess shirt." Marc said as he cooed over Jamie. Cliff was behind him with Jade and the diaper bag.

"I think it was one of the designer baby gifts, but I can't remember who sent it," Monique remarked.

"I can never remember that either. I'll consult Marc's list later to ensure we sent an appropriate thank you card." Tamika said from the door as she grabbed Jade. Of course, she went straight to her since she hadn't seen Tamika since Friday. His assistant was his daughter's favorite person.

"You're the best. Sorry, we're late. We spent all weekend packing and accidentally packed the Pink Bunny. It took us half an hour to figure out which box it was in. The crying was unbearable." Marc does not do well with his daughter's crying. It probably has to do with missing the first few months of her life.

"Thank you for looking. I'm sure Princess would have been miserable without her Pinky Bunny."

"You would have anyway," Cliff mumbled under her breath. "Now we know that the toys get packed last," Cliff said, looking directly at him.

"I'm sorry. I thought all those things were Jody things we were getting rid of and not something we absolutely needed to keep our sanity. It won't happen again," Marc defended himself.

"This happens to everyone. This is why I got 3 of Jamie's favorite toy. I might get another one for the office," Monique explained.

"Smart," Cliff said as he passed the baby bag to Monique.

"I know you have tons of stuff here, but Jamie is much younger. Jade has her own formula and diaper preferences."

"Which I already had on hand because I know better. But I'm grateful for the Bunny. I will order at least three of them for you." His assistant said as she took the diaper bag from her cousin.

"Bless you."

"Aunt Viv called right before you arrived and said to go straight to the Harbor. There should also be a grab-and-go lunch waiting for you at the concierge desk. There will be no decent food at the party, only overly pretentious appetizers that taste like cardboard. Aunt Viv doesn't want you to starve." Tamika explained.

"And Ash," Gio said from the back. "I worked as a waiter at one of those parties years ago. It's why I'm trying so hard with the menu for the black-and-white ball."

"Which I know will be significantly better. I'm also looking forward to the after party if I can stay conscious that long." Marc is well aware that his partying days are long over.

"They never tell you that pure exhaustion is part of the baby package ahead of time. But they are worth it." Monique proclaimed as she cuddled Jamie to her. Motherhood suited his boss well.

"Jade is just starting to sleep in six-hour stretches. This is good because we both need to rest before fashion week starts."

"Six-hour stretches of sleep almost seem magical right now," Gio said with a yawn.

"This is why aunt Viv offered to pay for a night nanny for the first couple of months," Tamika said, looking directly at her cousin's husband.

"We might consider that when we return to work but not right now. Both Monique and I want as much Jamie cuddle time as possible." Marc wants to tell him to take the night nanny but keeps that thought to himself.

"Jade, be good for Tamika and Monique. Don't kick Gio because you want to be on his good side once you start eating real food." Marc tells his daughter. Cliff giggles at him.

"We will have a great time. You don't have to worry. If you guys need longer, just let me know. I can keep the baby overnight." Tamika offered.

"We will let you know. Although honestly, I'm hoping we can get out of there early. I would like some more sleep. I was originally planning to do that today along with packing." Marc sighed, which resulted in Monique pulling him off to the side.

"You know you don't have to actually go to this," Monique told him.

"She wants something. I need to know what." Marc answered.

"Just be careful and don't be alone with her," Monique told him.

"I will."

Xxxx

About two hours later, somewhere on the Hudson.

Austin's friends and family Group message (members include aunt Breanna, big brother Tyler, Tiffany, Justin, and Antonella)

Austin: [six pictures attached]

Austin: Hey, I thought I would send a couple of pictures while Antonella, Justin, and me are currently hiding out drinking the good juice. We've been here 30 minutes, and I'm already waiting for when we can leave. Unfortunately, the ship doesn't dock again for another four hours. Even worse, I found out there is now a sit-down dinner in addition to the horrible appetizers.

Tyler: You definitely looked bored in those pictures.

Austin: Per Antonella, the sit-down dinner took away the young people dance floor and other fun activities. :-(

Aunt Breanna: Although your suit looks nice. I'm glad the team did a good job.

DJ: Everything looks so pretty. I like the water fountain. Although there is a lot of gold.

Aunt Breanna: When you look deeper, everything is obviously fake. Including that water fountain. Actually, she stole that from my spring fundraiser. Of course, she did.

Aunt Breanna: I'm pretty sure gold is my former sister-in-law's favorite color. Even her toilets are gold. She got the idea for Monique's dad.

Antonella: Okay, that is just super tacky.

Justin: The people here are even tackier.

Austin: Super tacky. We ran into Skye's biological father already. He pretended not to know her even though she was Marcedes' date.

Antonella: Actually, he wasn't that happy about that prospect either. But that might be because he was hitting on Mercedes.

Justin: It was super creepy.

Aunt Breanna: This is not surprising. I've met the man multiple times, and he makes my skin crawl. And that was before he grabbed my ass and tried to have sex with me. Although he never tried it again after I stepped on his foot with my 4-inch stiletto.

Austin: Good for you.

Tyler: I'm glad I don't have to be part of this. I think being there would just make me want to drink.

Antonella: Especially because the drinks are the only thing that tastes good. I don't have much hope for dinner.

Justin: I'm pretty sure the appetizers were glued to the plates.

Breanna: You can get a pizza afterward. I'll send you all the best places near there. It's what I always do. I will work with the team to get a better caterer for next year. I'm sure we can devise a reason not to use Victoria's friend again.

DJ: This makes me happy that Uncle Daniel doesn't know any of the wealthy people here. So I don't have to go to parties like that.

Aunt Breanna: At least until fashion week. Expect some ass kissing there. Although at least in Paris the food is good. Even the food in London is better than what Victoria serves at her events.

Justin: Although I don't think Uncle Daniel will take you to any of the actual wild parties.

Aunt Breanna: Daniel will probably have to take you to a few business-related parties. It's good for you to go now under adult supervision. Please tell me that all of you kids have received the don't drink or take drugs from people you don't know at fashion week talk from your guardians?

Justin: Yes, more than once. I've even been taught how to order fake drinks. Which has really come in handy for tonight.

Austin: I'm drinking blueberry pomegranate juice right now, and it's the only thing helping me get through this.

Antonella: I have a VIRGIN PALOMA. It's really the only thing salvaging the evening. Grandma Vivian is coming over, so we probably need to mingle again.

Tyler: I'll teach you all the best nonalcoholic mixed drinks. I'll make sure you have a whole list of what to order for fashion week.

Austin: Thank you

Xxx

"Okay, I think your idea to engage him via text message worked. At least Tyler responded even though Tiffany didn't." Justin could tell Austin was very sad about that. He squeezed his hand in support.

"Maybe she doesn't have her phone with her?" Even Justin knew that was an excuse. He just didn't want to think that Tiffany had abandoned Austin. Her lack of response is worrying.

"She was an early adapter to cell phones. She said you never know when you'll find yourself alone at the bottom of a stairwell, and you need to be able to call for help." Austin paused for a moment. "Now I understand what she meant by that. That's what happened to her before I was born."

"Maybe she's giving you time to adjust to life with Vivian?" Justin suggested.

"I don't know. Regardless Thank you for helping."

"Of course. You're my boyfriend, and I want you to have a relationship with your family." Even with Tiffany, despite how messy things were. The current situation was really starting to concern Justin. Something felt off about her minimal contact.

"You're the best. I would kiss you, but I'm worried we may cause the country club set to have palpitations." Austin said, pointing to Vivian introducing Antonella to several of her acquaintances.

"Considering the homophobic slurs I heard Skye's father used, that's probably best for the moment. Let's wait until next year for you to be completely out at this."

"I hope there's not a next year." Austin sighed. Austin was already exhausted.

"So do I. Fashion parties are so much better."

"At least the black-and-white ball will have good food."

"True. I plan to kiss you on the dance floor at that," Justin whispered so low that only Austin could hear him.

"Austin and Justin, come over here. I want to introduce you to Dalia." Vivian waived the two of them over to her.

"It looks like we're being summoned."

"I guess it's time to mingle again."

"This is my foster son Austin and his boyfriend, Justin." Justin had already permitted Vivian to introduce him as Austin's boyfriend, but he was still surprised that she did. "Justin is already a junior writer at Monique's magazine." That was actually the title that HR decided on. "Austin and Justin, I want you to meet Delia and her partner Arielle Malick." That's when Justin and Austin shared a look, both realizing why Vivian felt comfortable introducing them as a couple.

"It's so nice to meet you both," Delia said, extending her hand. Maybe this party wouldn't be so horrible after all.

"You have to meet our daughter. She's about your age."

Xxx

Mercedes:[Picture one attached]

Mercedes: I thought you would want to have pictures of your nephew, or rather your fiancé would. Although I realize I don't have her number. Mom is showing Austin off to her less hostile friends. Mostly the lesbians.

Daniel: That makes complete sense.

Daniel: It's okay. We're home after a late dinner, and Betty is reading this over my shoulder. They do look cute together. Has anybody said anything stupid?

Mercedes: Not about them, at least not where I can hear them. They're probably too afraid that I'll say something to my mother. Or they are too busy gossiping about my own date. I know my ex-father-in-law is very disappointed.

Daniel: Probably.

Daniel: How has it gone so far?

Mercedes: Not horrible, apart from the 15 minutes I was forced to speak with my soon-to-be former father-in-law. He ignored Skye and called his grandchildren Francis and Malibu. He also made multiple passes at me. This may have been when Skye kissed my cheek and referred to me as her girlfriend. I decided it was safer if he thought I had a girlfriend.

Daniel: I just tried to write six different responses to that, and I have nothing. What is wrong with your former father-in-law?

Mercedes: I'm not sure, but Skye is thankful to never have had him in her life.

Daniel: Sometimes it's for the best. DJ's grandparents are like that. They are the epitome of toxic. I really wished I had realized sooner that there was a reason why he ran away to another country to find a father that he had never met before.

Mercedes: I've heard stories from Antonella and Justin.

Daniel: They made Disney Paris miserable. Do you know how horrible of a person you have to be to make Disney Paris miserable? They're waiting for Alexis to die just so they can have their piggy bank back. Betty hates them, and my fiancé doesn't hate anybody.

Daniel: My girlfriend corrected me. She hates her boss and Matt's mother. Which just tells you how despicable DJ's grandparents are.

Mercedes: My former father-in-law made a Disney World trip miserable for the girls, so I'm not surprised. He definitely gives off a similar vibe to Victoria Hartley.

Mercedes: I just had the displeasure of meeting our former classmate Marcus Fairchild, the fourth and wife number five, because he sat down next to me without permission.

Mercedes: She looks barely older than Antonella. I'm not even sure if she's legal. To get out of there as fast as possible, I didn't even ask.

Daniel: Is he the one who asked you to the prom even though we were together, and he had a girlfriend?

Mercedes: Yes.

Daniel: I completely understand why he had multiple marriages.

Mercedes: We have multiple marriages, or you will anyway. I'm taking a vowel of celibacy and getting a good vibrator. I doubt I will be as lucky as you or my sister to find a second or, in my case, first love. Because I never loved Chad, I just loved my children.

Daniel: Technically, Betty will be my first marriage. So, neither one of us will make it to the multiples club. I feel like your sister shouldn't be a member anyway since she's a widow.

Mercedes:?

Daniel: Molly did not sign our marriage license. So we were never legally married. However, I didn't know that until the anniversary of her death. She left a DVD with Gio.

Mercedes: She would. That seems like something Molly would do. She was always so selfless. I don't know how Molly ended up with Connor for so long. But I'm glad she spent her last few days with you. You made her happy.

Mercedes: Victoria is walking towards mom, so I need to run interference. I'll send you more pictures later.

Daniel: I appreciate it. Also, Amanda and Betty want me to send you their number too. I think Amanda intends to form an ex-girlfriends club with you, but I'm afraid to ask.

Xxxx

Tamika: Your kid is still okay. She threw a toy at Freddy, but she's fine.

Marc: I wasn't going to check-in.

Tamika: You were absolutely going to check-in. Austin told me about babysitting for you.

Marc: You and Monique have babysat before. I trust you.

Tamika: Good. If you don't want to pick up the baby until morning, it's okay. She and Jamie are best friends forever, even though Jamie is still mastering the art of holding their head up.

Marc: They will get there eventually. The plan is to come back although this wine is good. And it makes the food even worse by comparison. So we're probably going to stop and get a pizza or something.

Tamika: I told you so. I think they just spend the whole budget on liquor. Aunt Viv thinks that Victoria thinks drunk people give more money.

Marc: She isn't wrong. I already see the purse strings loosening.

Tamika: Look, you and Cliff need some alone time. After you get your pizza, go home and rock your boyfriend's world.

Marc: We're not together. Nothing will be rocked.

Tamika: I watch you guys feed each other lunch at least twice a week. If a six-month-old waking up at weird times of day is your only barrier, you won't have that tonight.

Marc: It's more efficient when trying to feed a six-month-old. That doesn't mean anything.

Tamika: I want to call bull shit on that. Instead, I'm just going to ask whether you love him.

Marc: So much my chest hurts. I won't lie about that ever. That is why I don't want to do anything to fuck things up again. I screwed my neighbor and myself in the process last time around because I freaked out about commitment. I still don't even know why he's willing to raise a child with me after that.

Tamika: Because he loves you.

Marc: I know that even though he shouldn't.

Tamika: You have to forgive yourself for what you did.

Marc: I'm not sure if I ever will.

Tamika: Your daughter will be waiting for you when you get to the office tomorrow. Take some time to just be with him.

Marc: This is the first time I will be away from her overnight outside of a Jodi visitation.

Tamika: Go dance with Cliff.

Tamika: [One picture attached]

Marc: Is my daughter wearing a T-shirt that says, "I want my dads together?"

Tamika: Yep, I just sent it to Cliff. Monique had it made custom.

Marc: I take back what I said about you being the best assistant.

Tamika: I know you don't mean it.

Xxxx

"You know, I thought the conspiracy group was backing off." Marc sighed as he showed the picture to Cliff. She was so cute.

"I think this is them backing off, although that is an adorable shirt," Cliff remarked.

"It is adorable."

"Besides, let's not turn down a night of uninterrupted sleep. I feel like both of us will wake up with a hangover tomorrow."

"It's a side effect of spending so much time with the overly pretentious," Marc commented. Wine and Cliff have been his only tolerable companion so far.

"We have to go mingle again, don't we?" Cliff asked, already exhausted.

"Yes. Maybe if we're lucky, we will continue to avoid Victoria." Earlier in the evening, she was coming right for them, but Vivian intervened.

"I hope so," Cliff said, clicking his glass with Marc. Unfortunately, they saw Cal Hartley walk into the room only seconds later.

"We're going to need more wine," Cliff commented as he pointed his glass toward Matt's father.

"So much wine. I'll text Justin." Marc said, draining his glass before grabbing his phone.

"Vivienne or Antonella. Austin might see if you text Justin." Cliff suggested.

"Good idea." It was going to be a long night, and it wouldn't be dark for another few hours.

To be continued…