Cash grinned at her. "Oh, gin will certainly help with that," he said, "And if you ever want to avoid people at parties, acting like you're very busily trying to get another drink is a good method. In my experience, at least."

In truth, Cash was also allowed to be a little more publicly aloof than most unmarried women were — which he knew, but it wasn't the sort of thing you could say. Gretchen would need other strategies.

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