Jools began to quietly panic. Cheek kisses were fine, she figured; they did it in France all the time. But lip kisses, even chaste lip kisses like the one she had just experienced... Boys tended to like to know who they were kissing when they kissed someone on the lips.

For the most part, Bobby knew Jools, about as well as she let anyone know her. But he didn't know about Julien. She felt a mixture of fear and shame and horror at the very idea.

She smiled at him in that panicked way and kept her hands clenched tightly beneath his. She pulled her lips away before he could kiss her again or get closer.

"Uh. I think I need another drink," she said hurriedly and stood up, moving quickly to the refreshment table.