Having survived Christmas and Boxing Day, Ben had considered himself more or less a professional at smothering his feelings and pretending to have fun. He was planning to do exactly the same for the New Year's Eve celebration, which should have been easier. Art wasn't going to call him on any of his bullshit if he slipped and said something depressing, Ben thought, and even if he did he wasn't going to particularly care that Ben was unhappy. Though apparently they couldn't make it to midnight without bringing up Melody, which was the last thing Ben wanted to talk about.

"Can we not?" he asked, finishing the drink in his hand and casting around a wide gaze to locate another.