A Piece of Paper with your Name on it

Mónica Benítez
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 Contents

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilog
Books By This Author
Books By This Author
Books By This Author
A Piece of Paper with your Name on it
MÓNICA BENÍTEZ
Copyright © 2023 Mónica Benítez
All rights reserved
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced
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the author. This includes, but is not limited to, reprints,
excerpts, photocopying, recording, or any other means of
reproduction, including electronic media.
All characters, situations between them and events appearing in
the book are entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to persons,
living or dead, or events is purely coincidental.

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 Chapter 1
Regan
“Mind if I crash here?” Nicky peers out from beneath the sheet,
her chin resting just above my hip. I think that’s her name, but I
don’t ask. Instead, a laugh bubbles up from me.
“You think I’m one of those who will boot you out of the
hotel room as soon as the fun’s over?” I tease, still riding the
tail end of ecstasy.
“Well, fame can make people jerks,” she retorts.
Nicky slithers up my body and kisses me before I can
answer. Her tongue, bold and invading, carries the taste of my
arousal into my mouth. She grabs my hand, insistently guiding it
between her legs. As soon as I touch her, her moans heat my
ear, her body arching into mine. When she returns to my lips,
she sucks on my lower one so fiercely that I taste blood from a
gentle bite at the peak of her climax.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, exhausted, collapsing beside me.
I turn my head, smiling, and assess the bite with my
tongue. It’s nothing serious. I grab one of the plush hotel
pillows, propping it under my head to check my phone before
sleep. Nicky turns towards me, hugging another pillow, her eyes
curious.
“Plan on coming back around here?” she asks, her voice a
mix of hope and uncertainty.
I shrug, my mind drifting. I met her at the club where I was
DJing tonight. I’m a well-known DJ, refusing to be tied to one
place. I pick gigs that suit me, spending the rest of my time
relaxing and living life. Most gigs are at fancy parties thrown by
high-society types who invite hundreds just for show, even if
they really know maybe twenty of them.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ll be back for a while,” I admit.
 It’s not a lie to say I dread coming to Miami. The clubs are
always packed, and sometimes the crowd overwhelms me. But
the pay is good, and occasionally, I take a gig here.
“I’m actually from Malibu. Came here just to see you spin. I
love your style,” she says, her smile genuine.
“I live in Malibu, too,” I confess, surprised. Nicky’s eyebrows
shoot up.
“Really? Well, I’ll leave you my number before I go. Maybe
we can hang out sometime.”
“That’d be great,” I say, and her laugh, followed by a roll of
her eyes, lights up the room.
Nicky leaps out of bed, her naked form gliding across the
cool hardwood floor to her bag. She rummages for a pen, a
purposeful dance of bare skin and morning light. Meanwhile, I
reopened an email on my phone, the invitation to the River Park
High School reunion in Boston looming like a ghost from the
past.
“Talking to someone?” Nicky collapses beside me, mischief
twinkling in her eyes as she leans in, trying to peek at the
screen. Instinctively, I angle it away, but it’s all in good fun.
“Just reading an email,” I reply, my voice flat.
“It must be crucial for you to open it at this ungodly hour,”
she observes, a hint of concern lacing her words.
“It’s nothing, just an invitation,” I dismiss, even as the
weight of it settles in my chest.
“For what?” she inquires, pulling the sheet around her as a
shiver runs down her spine.
“A high school reunion dinner I’d rather avoid,” I confess,
the screen now dark.
“Why?” Her curiosity deepens, her brows knitting together.
“Let’s just say high school wasn’t the best of times,” I admit,
feeling the old wounds throb. “There was someone who hurt me
back then.”
“And she’ll be there?” she probes further, her expression
serious now.
“Most likely.”
 “You should go,” she asserts suddenly, flinging the sheet
back with such force that it leaves us both exposed. She
straddles me, and despite my exhaustion, a spark of arousal
flickers within me.
“On a scale of one to ten, how badly did she hurt you?” Her
gaze is intense, challenging.
“Fifteen,” I answer, and her eyebrow arches in surprise.
“That’s a lot of hurt, and all the more reason to go. Come
on, you’re Regan Jensen,” she says, noting my confused look,
“one of the hottest DJs around. You’re successful, smart, and
damn, you look good,” she adds, her eyebrows wiggling for
emphasis. “Show them that whatever they did, it didn’t break
you. It made you stronger.”
“You don’t know if I’m smart or strong. You don’t know me,”
I chuckle.
“Of course I do. You chose me out of all those people hitting
on you tonight. That’s a move of sheer brilliance,” she boasts
playfully. “But seriously, if you don’t go, she wins. You can’t let
that happen.”
“How do you know it’s a ‘she’?” I ask, amused by her
assumption.
Nicky looks me up and down and laughs. “You’re way too
into women to be hung up over a guy.”
“Guess I’m an open book...”
“Seriously, though. You should go just to show her what
she’s missing.”
I look at Nicky, unblinking, as her suggestion suddenly
seems intriguing. I always knew she regretted what she did.
Maybe it’s time to remind her of what we could have had if she
hadn’t been such a coward.
“You’re right, I should go. It’s just a few hours,” I decide,
conviction settling in my voice.
“I like that. Now, open your legs.”
 Chapter 2
Moira

I had hoped to arrive early, to spy on my former classmates

from the safety of my car, gauging what I was walking into. But
true to form, I dawdled at the hotel until I was ten minutes late.
Stepping onto the grounds of my old school, a wave of
strangeness washes over me. I glance around, but even the
fleeting good memories can’t ease the tension coiling in my
stomach. The shadow of failure hovers over me, suffocating me
with the fear of not meeting everyone’s expectations. I stride
across the courtyard to the gym, where our class reunion is
being held, a catered event we’ve all pitched in for.
The lights blaze warmly, and a huge banner announcing our
graduating class hangs over the entrance. My heart pounds as I
step inside. Like a spy or a thief biding her time, I find solace
behind a broad column, surveying the room. Familiar faces,
unchanged by more than a decade, come into focus. Yet, there’s
an unsettling absence – her face is nowhere to be seen, or
perhaps it’s just too far to recognize.
“Practicing your grand entrance so everyone can applaud?”
The voice behind me sends a jolt through my body, and I spin
around, half-expecting my heart to leap out.
“Regan?” I blurt out, surprisingly quick to recognize her.
“Well,” she says, eyebrows raised, “I didn’t expect Moira
Evans to remember my name.”
I shake my head, taking her in. She’s the same, yet entirely
different. Her hair, still jet black, is now cut in a flattering short
style that enhances her stark features. The contrast of her
intense blue eyes and her pale skin, which I had somehow
forgotten, creates an innate allure that’s almost irritating.
 “Aren’t you going in?” she teases, noticing my odd behavior
as I remain glued to the column.
Clearing my throat, I risk another quick glance at the crowd,
confirming my earlier observation.
“Have you noticed? Everyone’s brought their partners,” I
say, the realization pressing down on me.
Regan shifts her weight to the right side of the column,
peeking toward the table with a disinterested gaze.
“Does that bother you?” she asks, her curiosity pinpointed
on me.
“Of course, it bothers me,” I respond, my voice tense. “I’ll
be the center of attention, bombarded with questions I don’t
want to answer. I’ll be the outcast.”
Suddenly, I feel dreadful. I should be thrilled she’s here, but
being swamped in these memories is dredging up a version of
Moira I thought I had left behind.
“I didn’t realize bringing a date was mandatory,” Regan
says, not grasping my torment.
“You don’t get it,” I say, gesturing wildly.
“Ah, it’s about what they’ll think of you, right? The great
Moira Evans is still single at twenty-nine.”
“I’m thirty,” I snap, irritation bubbling up. “And I’m not
single.”
“Oh, really?” she asks, genuinely taken aback.
Her insinuation that I’m lying irks me, almost as much as
knowing she’s right.
“That’s none of your business.”
I clear my throat and adjust my shirt under my jacket.
Despite the onset of the holiday season, a sudden heat envelops
me. Maybe I’m this unsettled because, against all odds, she’s
here. And though I wanted this, my nerves are so frayed I don’t
know how to act.
“Don’t worry. In our class, I was the misfit, remember? I
came alone, too. They’ll be too busy scrutinizing me like they
used to and won’t even notice you’re solo.”
 Her words bring back vivid memories of the Moira Evans of
those days, a chapter of my life I despise but can’t erase. I
comfort myself with the thought that it was just teenage
hormones and a desire to stand out. Normal, right?
“I think I’m going to leave,” I say, glancing back again.
“Does their opinion really matter that much to you?” she
asks, her surprise evident.
“You just don’t understand,” I repeat, the agony squeezing
my throat.
It’s not them I fear; it’s myself. Seeing Regan again, talking
as if nothing happened, has thrown me into a whirlwind of
confusion.
“Actually, I don’t,” she admits with a shrug that says she
couldn’t care less. Then, a crooked smile spreads across her
face, lending her an irresistibly charming look. “I have an idea.”
“What?” I ask, curiosity piqued.
“Let’s pretend we’re a couple,” she suggests, the overhead
lights twinkling in her blue eyes.
“You can’t be serious,” I stammer, more baffled than before.
“Absolutely serious. It’ll be fun to see their reactions.”
Regan Jensen hasn’t changed in attitude either. She still
doesn’t give a damn about others’ opinions, and I find myself
enviously reminiscing about that same feeling from back then.
“We’re in the 21st century, Moira, they won’t bite you.
Besides, Eric Tomas is here with a guy.”
“Really?”
I poke my head out like an ostrich to verify Regan’s claim.
“Ah, wait, you couldn’t stand lesbians, right?” she says
bluntly.
I meet her gaze and purse my lips, another wave of
shameful memories flashing through my mind.
“I’ve changed,” I assert defensively, and she raises an
eyebrow in challenge.
“Prove it,” she dares me.
At first, the idea seems insane, the worst possible choice.
But then, the real reason I’m here pushes to the forefront of my
thoughts. This is madness, but my nerves are frayed, and I
need time. And, if I’m honest, the thought of kissing her again
sparks a sudden, deep-seated longing I struggled to forget.
Besides, they all remember the old Moira, obsessed with
appearances, and Regan is now famous. I’ve seen her face in
magazines, followed her immense social media presence.
I remember first hearing her name on the radio, announced
for a session at one of the city’s most exclusive clubs. She might
have been the odd one out back then, but now Regan Jensen is
a success story. And success is all that matters at that table. No
one will be surprised I ended up with someone like her. And in
the end, it doesn’t matter; it’s just for a few hours. After that, I
won’t see them again, at least I hope so.
“I’m leaving right after dinner,” I clarify, feigning reluctance,
and she bites her lip, arching an eyebrow.
“So, you agree?” she asks, barely holding back laughter,
clearly not expecting I’d agree.
“Yeah.”
“Wow, talk about being really desperate.”
Regan extends her hand decisively, and after a moment’s
hesitation, I take it. The contact sends an odd tingling through
me, which I attribute to my nervousness.
The DJ pulls me from our hiding spot, and we head toward
the table. Tyler Martins is facing us and recognizes me instantly.
He lets out a surprised whistle, drawing the table’s attention to
us. A successful pastry chef and a DJ in high demand. It’s an
odd pairing, but it’s better than letting them find out my love life
is a mess, right? This way, I won’t have to explain anything.
 Chapter 3
Regan
I can’t deny the discomfort and tension gnawing at me, but I’ve
always had a knack for hiding such feelings. The last thing I
want is for Moira Evans and the others to sense my continued
unease around them.
As we approach the table, their astonished gazes follow us,
underscored by the awful gymnasium speaker music. Everyone
stands up, greeting Moira with warm embraces, then turns to
me, visibly shocked to see the most popular girl from our year in
a relationship with someone permanently shadowed by a couple
of ‘weird’ friends.
I almost laugh several times, amazed that our charade is
working, and amused by Moira’s near-panic.
After the initial greetings and introductions to everyone’s
partners, we finally sit down. I rub my hand, sore from my fake
girlfriend’s vice-like grip.
Across from us sits Tyler Martins, still looking puzzled but
unable to hide the sleazy smile triggered by his probably not-so-
pure thoughts.
“So, how long have you two been together? I didn’t know
you kept in touch with...” Tyler pauses, mimicking a DJ’s
scratching motion towards me. I fight the urge to ask if he’s lost
his mind, instead turning to Moira, curious how she’ll handle
this.
“Well, we bumped into each other by chance some time
ago,” Moira stammers, “and, you know...”
“Sparks flew?” Tyler continues, chuckling, ignoring his
girlfriend’s disapproving look.
“It’s funny, I always thought you hated her,” blurts out Olivia
Robins, Moira’s inseparable friend from back then. I never liked
her; she was kind of cruel and always acted superior, especially
towards a girl who had only been with us for a few months
before her parents transferred her.
“You hated me? Really?” I ask Moira, teasing her, and her
cheeks flush with surprise.
“I didn’t hate you, I just... Can we not talk about this? Are
we going to spend dinner discussing something as dull as how
our relationships started?” Moira asks, flustered.
“You’re right,” Tyler concedes. “Before you arrived, we were
talking about what we do now. What about you?”
Moira’s expression is priceless. She’s clearly bothered by the
question and even more so by the fact that he knows what I do
but not her profession.
“You don’t know?” Eric Tomas calls out from the other end
of the table, making Moira breathe a sigh of relief.
Tyler shrugs, and my former classmate fills him in on what
I’ve known for a while: Moira is one of the country’s most
renowned pastry chefs. Her bakery creates the most spectacular
and delicious cakes I’ve ever tasted. For the past couple of
years, she’s been hosting a recipe show on TV that I’ve
occasionally watched.
“Really?” Tyler asks, eyebrows arching dramatically. “Wow,
that’s wild. Now I get why you’re into women, you know?”
He’s the only one at the table who laughs at his own crass
joke. I’d forgotten how idiotic he could be at times, and that
Moira had dated him for a few months before our final year
ended.
“So, back in high school, you two were...” Tyler starts, his
mind obviously wandering to a new thought.
“No,” Moira cuts him off sharply, glancing at me with a
flicker of discomfort.
“Maybe you liked her, and that’s why you hated her,” Olivia
Robins interjects sharply, “that would explain why you suddenly
stopped talking to her.”
“So, you all liked everyone, didn’t you?” Moira retorts, her
neck vein nearly bursting, “because, if I recall correctly, you all
also stopped talking to...”
She looks at me, halting mid-sentence, perhaps thinking it’s
uncomfortable for me to remember all that. But actually, I’m
eager for her to continue because, for the first time, the
discomfort is on their end.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you guys, but this dinner
is supposed to be a reunion to remember the good times,”
Tyler’s girlfriend interjects.
Moira exhales sharply through her nose and clears her
throat, more uncomfortable than before, especially when I lean
in, drape an arm over her shoulders, and plant a resounding
kiss on her cheek.
“Wonderful,” Tyler’s girlfriend claps, diffusing the tension.
“This isn’t necessary,” Moira hisses with a forced smile.
“Of course, it is. Do you want them to think that, in addition
to still being on the market at your age, you’re also a liar?” I
whisper teasingly.
“You’re really enjoying this charade, aren’t you?”
She looks at me, eyes sparking with fire, but her smile never
wavers. I wonder how long she can keep up this façade before
she has a heart attack or collapses.
“Yeah, I am enjoying this, I won’t deny it,” I admit, leaning
back in my chair.
“Is this some kind of revenge?”
“Why would I seek revenge?” I challenge her.
“You know, I wasn’t exactly nice to you back then.”
She turns so red I almost worry her head might explode.
Moira meets my gaze briefly before her green eyes, as vibrant
as a football field, drop to the floor, unable to hold my stare. I
realize she’s not speaking generally but about a specific
incident, I’ve never forgotten, and apparently, neither has she.
“You were pretty awful, to put it mildly,” I clarify, ensuring
she understands. “Leave the past in the past tonight, Moira,” I
suggest and then turn to answer Tyler’s girlfriend’s questions
about my job.
 Moira seems to relax and mingle with her old friends for the
next few minutes as if we’ve traveled back in time. I never fit in
with any of them and still don’t, but Tyler’s girlfriend, Rebecca,
is surprisingly pleasant. As dinner ends and everyone moves on
to drinks, she sits beside me to continue our conversation.
Turns out Rebecca is an ophthalmologist, cultured, and
smart. Her conversation is so intriguing it takes effort to stop
myself from asking what she’s doing with a guy like Tyler, who
can’t see past his own nose.
“Let’s dance,” Tyler suddenly appears, whisking Rebecca to
the dance floor. I seize the moment to head to the open bar for
a drink, and seconds later, Moira appears, standing next to me
like she’s part of the décor.
I glance at her, puzzled, and take a sip from my drink,
waiting for her to explain herself.
“If we’re a couple, we should spend time together, or they’ll
think something’s wrong.”
“Aaah, I forgot everything in your world boils down to
appearances.”
“Stop saying that; you don’t know me,” she snaps, yet
moves closer until our arms brush.
“I knew the Moira from years ago, and I get the feeling
you’re still that same repressed girl, afraid to live life fully for
fear of disapproval.”
“Think what you want,” she responds bitterly.
“Time for photos!” shouts a girl whose face I recognize but
can’t place a name on.
Everyone eagerly heads towards an arch adorned with
flowers and a ribbon displaying our high school’s name and
graduation year. The whole scene strikes me as a tacky charade,
a relic of a time when a certain clique thought they were
superior and apparently still do.
As each couple poses under the arch with brilliant smiles,
showcasing their delight in being here, it’s our turn. Surprisingly,
Moira slides her hand around my waist, pulling me close. I
reciprocate and force a smile for the camera, wondering what
could have been if she had ever embraced that hidden part of
herself.
“Now, a kiss,” the photographer prompts, and Moira freezes.
Without giving her a chance to protest or make an excuse, I
turn towards her, place my hand on her cheek, and press our
lips together, parting them slightly to tease her with my tongue.
To my astonishment, she responds immediately, not just
returning the kiss but matching my intensity with an exciting
pressure of her own.
“Next!” the photographer calls as we break apart.
We move to the screen displaying all the photos. Moira, stiff
as a board with a fixed gaze, and me, bewildered because I
didn’t expect to be so stirred by a kiss.
“I’ll take both,” Moira tells the photographer’s assistant.
“I didn’t know you wanted to immortalize such a moment,” I
tease her.
“Shut up. If we don’t buy them, they’ll think we’re not
interested in preserving our moments together.”
“Did you enjoy the kiss? We can do it again if you want,” I
quip, amused. She glares at me while handing over her card to
pay an absurd amount for the photos.
“We’re not repeating anything,” she snaps, pulling me back
to our table where Tyler, seated next to Rebecca, gestures for
us to join them.
“I thought you did. You got so intense I thought you were
going to rip my clothes right there in front of everyone.”
Moira stops dead and whirls around, horrified.
“I did not get intense.”
“Of course you did. You seized the moment to slip in some
tongue.”
“Me?!” she exclaims, scandalized, and I struggle mightily not
to burst into laughter.
“Yeah, don’t deny it. You were eager to devour my mouth
and took your chance.”
“You’re unbearable. Luckily, this charade will soon be over,
and I won’t have to see you again.”
 “I’ll give you my number, just in case,” I retort, causing
Moira to snort like a bull about to charge.
We reach the table where Rebecca has arranged four chairs
in a circle, and we sit down next to them.
“We have something to propose,” Tyler announces.
Moira stiffens in her chair so much I briefly wonder if she’s
impaled herself on something.
 Chapter 4
Moira
“What’s this about?” I ask, looking at Tyler, though it’s not him
who replies.
They exchange a look, a smile blooming between them that
seems to erase Tyler’s usual air of superiority. Instead, he’s just
a man, visibly smitten with Rebecca.
“We’re getting married,” she announces, showing off an
engagement ring I hadn’t noticed before.
Tyler kisses her, and Regan and I exchange glances, puzzled
as to why they’re sharing this news with us.
“Congratulations,” Regan says, her words directed solely at
Rebecca.
“Thank you,” Rebecca replies, shifting in her chair to face
her fiancé, clearly expecting him to lead the conversation.
“Well, we thought, since you’re the country’s top pastry
chef, you could handle the cake and desserts for the entire
event.”
“And Regan could take care of the music,” Rebecca adds,
her voice tinged with excitement.
“We’d love to, but I...”
“Come on,” Tyler interrupts, igniting a desire within me to
throttle him. “It would mean a lot to Rebecca, and it’s just for a
week.”
“A week?” I echo, appalled, and Regan whistles in surprise.
“What kind of wedding lasts a week?” she inquires, her
curiosity piqued.
Now I want to throttle her, too. We shouldn’t be entertaining
their wedding plans. She should be conjuring up an excuse to
decline.
 “My family is very traditional,” Rebecca explains. “We’ve
always celebrated weddings in a big way at our beach villa.”
“You guys will be blown away,” Tyler chimes in. “Her parents
have this amazing estate, with tennis and padel courts, horses,
you name it. But the best part is the private beach with a dock.”
“On the eve of the wedding, we invite all the guests to
spend the week with us. We have a guest house with twelve
rooms.”
“Obviously, not all the wedding guests come to this event,
or we’d need to rent out three hotels,” he jokes, boasting about
their wealth.
“We’ve got almost everything ready, but the cake...”
Rebecca trails off, “it has to be memorable, and you make the
best. When I saw you walk in, I was stunned. Tyler never
mentioned he knew you, or I would’ve booked you way earlier.
You could make a different cake each day, and then we can
decide which one we want for the wedding day,” she proposes,
her enthusiasm palpable.
“Listen, I’m truly flattered by your offer, but I’m swamped
with work right now. A week is a significant time commitment.”
Glancing sideways at Regan, I seek her support, but she’s
watching the couple as if engrossed in a soap opera, eagerly
anticipating their next move to persuade me.
“My father will pay you a month’s salary for that week. I’m
sure you can make some arrangements,” Rebecca proposes,
likely used to getting her way with her father’s checkbook.
“A whole month’s salary?” Regan asks, eyebrows shooting
up.
“Yes, and the same for you, of course. I don’t know what
you charge per event or session, but name your price, and you’ll
receive a transfer tomorrow.”
“Not to mention, you’ll enjoy a whole week at the villa. Not
everyone can boast about that,” Tyler chimes in.
“The rooms are stunning. I’m sure you’ve never stayed in
anything like them, not even in the best hotels. They have
private terraces with sea views and a jacuzzi. It’s amazing to
spend hours there at night; it’s heated, of course,” Rebecca
describes, sounding like a real estate agent selling a luxury
home.
“When’s the wedding?” Regan inquires.
“In ten days. Rebecca has always dreamed of getting
married on New Year’s Eve,” Tyler replies quickly.
“What better way to start the year than married to the love
of my life.”
I sneak a peek at Regan, who can’t hide her horror at such
a statement, forcing me to suppress a laugh for the first time.
“Please, say yes,” Rebecca pleads, her hands clasped
together. “I understand it’s a special time you might want to
spend with family. I’ll ask my dad to add an extra for that. I
promise.”
“And it’s a chance to meet some very influential people,”
Tyler adds. “You’re bound to leave with new clients.”
I’m left speechless, my heart racing, and the conflicting
voices in my head. One urges me to accept, thinking of the
money for renovating my new shop across town. The other
reminds me that agreeing means continuing to pretend I’m
dating Regan, sharing a room, and, more dauntingly, sharing a
bed with her, as asking for an extra bed would undoubtedly
raise suspicions.
“I’m truly sorry, but this month is hectic for me, and Regan’s
got a lot on her plate too...”
“Oh, I haven’t finalized my events for the month yet,” Regan
interjects, sending a chill down my spine.
“But...”
“Think about it, sweetheart,” she says, taking my hand in
hers. I glance at her, terror-stricken at how her words and
gestures stir something deep within me. “We always say we
need a break. This is the perfect opportunity. A luxury villa and
more time for us.”
Tears threaten to spill. I can’t afford to spend time with her
under any circumstances. If I do, I risk reviving feelings I
worked so hard to bury, feelings that could resurge like a
hurricane, destroying everything in their path.
“It’s madness, Regan. You know how busy I am with the
new shop opening. I can’t just abandon everything now.”
“Come on, the workers won’t be operating during Christmas.
I know you hate leaving things unfinished,” she says, pretending
to know me as if we’d been together for years. “It’s just a few
days.”
She’s good at lying. Why can’t she use that talent to find an
excuse to get us out of this? Is she trying to torture me? I
guess, deep down, I deserve it for how I treated her.
“It won’t be a break for me. I’ll have to prepare cakes daily,
and you’ll be busy with the music setup...” I argue, sure she
can’t refute this.
“We’ve already chosen the songs,” Rebecca chimes in,
hoping to sway our decision. “And Tyler’s cousin is a sound
technician. He’ll handle all the setup and lighting. He has an
impressive professional setup, so Regan only needs to ensure
the songs play at the right time.”
Right now, I want to shove Rebecca’s face into one of those
cakes.
“See?” Regan insists. “I’ll just set up the equipment, then I
can help you with the cakes. What will it take? A couple of
hours a day? We’ll have the rest of the time to enjoy the villa.”
“Exactly,” Rebecca presses on, clueless about the effort that
goes into making cakes. “Your big day will be the day before the
wedding when you have to make enough cakes for all the
guests.”
I’m starting to despise her. What does she know about the
work it takes?
“Think about the money for your shop,” Regan says, arching
an eyebrow, unsure if she’s crossing a line but brazen enough to
try.
“Fine,” I relent, knowing Regan will counter any excuse I
come up with.
“Great!” Rebecca exclaims, hugging Tyler.
 Regan scribbles her number on a napkin, asks for mine, and
hands it to Rebecca before they head to the dance floor to
celebrate.
“What is this all about?” I ask Regan, annoyed.
“It’s an opportunity,” she defends, shrugging.
“An opportunity to screw me over, I guess.”
“And to make a lot of money in a few days.”
I laugh, exhaling sharply through my nose and shaking my
head.
“You don’t need their money, Regan, or their connections,
right?”
She looks at me, saying nothing, her intensity piercing
through me, leaving me breathless. I’d kill to know what she’s
thinking right now.
“Fine, you win. We’ll go there, and when this event is over,
we’ll never see each other again.”
She stands, approaches my chair, and whispers in my ear.
“Fine, but you’ll be my girlfriend while we’re there. You’ll
kiss me in public and sleep with me every night. Then you’ll
know what you lost by being a coward,” she whispers, kissing
my cheek before grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the
dance floor as if we were just another couple.
 Chapter 5
Moira

“I can’t do it,” I exhale, my head drooping forward as my hands

press against the countertop of Maisy’s, my bakery.
It’s been three days since that damned high school reunion
dinner, and I’m still reeling from agreeing to pretend Regan and
I were a couple. Now, it’s only going to bring me trouble. Kevin,
my towering kitchen second-in-command, huffs and purses his
lips in uncertainty.
“It’s just a week. You only have to pretend in public. What’s
a few kisses?” he jokes, trying to lift my spirits. “Your ex-
husband was way uglier.”
I nod mechanically. Kevin raises an eyebrow and shrugs,
oblivious to the internal turmoil churning inside me. He can’t
grasp that it’s not about kissing just anyone. It’s Regan Jensen,
the woman who defined my adolescence and unknowingly
plunged me into an emotional hell.
“It’s about pretending a life that doesn’t exist, Kevin, for a
whole week with a woman who’s like a ticking time bomb.”
“A week to get the money you need for the new shop. No
need for a loan. Think about that.”
I do, constantly, hoping it will quell the anxiety of sharing a
room with Regan for a whole week. I pull out a tray of pastries
from the oven, handing them to Kevin, who delicately arranges
them on smaller trays and takes them to the shop for our
customers to enjoy at the cozy tables of Maisy’s.
Later, standing in the doorway, I watch the line at the
counter. Sharon and her mother Teresa move like whirlwinds,
one serving tables, the other preparing orders. Despite the
winter chill, the warmth inside and the sunlight streaming
through the large windows make Maisy’s a truly welcoming
place, a source of pride for me.
It’s not until late afternoon that I reach my apartment.
Dropping my bag on the table, I head straight for the shower. I
yearn for a night with candles, soothing music, and a long soak
in the tub, but instead, I face a daunting task – telling my
parents I won’t be spending much time with them this
Christmas.
“A whole week?” my mother gasps in horror, her eyes
widening to reveal the entirety of her greenish irises, mirroring
my own.
“Yeah, Mom. I’m sorry.”
“But it’s Christmas, Moira,” my mother laments, her
disappointment evident. “Can’t you postpone it to another
week?”
“I wish I could, Mom. But I didn’t set the date for this
wedding, and these people are used to celebrating in a big way.”
“Don’t feel bad,” my sister Tania chimes in, sitting beside me
in the kitchen. “If I had a chance to spend a week in a villa like
that, I wouldn’t think twice.”
Tania, two years my junior, has this enviable ability to face
life with a constant smile. In some ways, she reminds me of
Regan, living each day as if it’s her last. Spontaneous, bold, and
fearless – that’s why she enjoys life, and I’m the eternal grump.
“It’ll be the first Christmas we’re not together,” my mother
protests.
“And we’ll survive,” Tania retorts, “there’s something called
video calls. We can still wish her.”
“But still...”
“Stop focusing on the negatives, Mom,” Tania continues,
leaving me speechless. “This is a big opportunity for Moira.
She’ll make good money and maybe get some new clients for
her business.”
“You’re right, dear.”
My mother comes over and envelops us both in a hug,
kisses our heads, and stays by my side a little longer. “Don’t
mind my complaints. Ever since your father passed, it’s been
hard to fill that void, and the thought of losing you girls terrifies
me. I’m so proud of both of you,” she says, glancing at Tania,
who’s been thriving with her hair salon for the past two years.
“And we’re proud of you, Mom,” I reply, kissing her on the
cheek before she returns to the stew simmering in the oven.
“You could also use this time to meet someone, you know,”
Tania whispers. “Ever since you and Jackson divorced, you
haven’t been with anyone, and it’s been almost two years.”
“How do you know I haven’t been with anyone?” I ask,
trying to sound playful, but my tone only confirms it.
“I never understood why you two split up, but maybe I
would if you told me what happened between you that couldn’t
be fixed.”
“We just fell out of love, that’s all,” I say, hoping to end the
conversation there.
“That’s what you always say, but I don’t buy it. Love ends
for a reason, whatever it may be.”
“Tania, leave your sister alone,” my mother interjects,
having apparently been listening in. “The important thing is that
she’s happy, and if she’s happy without Jackson, so be it.”
I smile at Tania, relieved that Mom stepped in.
“I just want her to be happy too. I’m just saying it’s been a
long time, and it wouldn’t hurt for her to open up a bit, that’s
all.”
Tania stands up, kisses my head, and ends the conversation
to start setting the table.
 Chapter 6

Regan
I seize my last free morning to surf on one of Malibu’s beaches.
Waking up early, as I usually do on my days off, I catch the first
waves of the day before the beach swells with people. Perched
on my board, letting it float between my legs, I let the tide rock
me gently as I wait for the right wave. The wetsuit shields my
body, but my feet start to chill immediately. Still, I don’t move,
remaining there, contemplative, glancing towards the hill where
my house stands, feeling utterly content.
“It’s too calm today,” comes the voice of Álvaro, a young
Spanish student I’ve met several mornings here. He’s from
Mundaka, a Basque town where surfing is a way of life.
“Patience,” I tell him, seeing his disappointed face. “Just
give it a few minutes; you’ll see.”
Álvaro smiles, lies flat on his board, and paddles to pass the
time. I gaze back at my house as if saying goodbye, because
this is the last night I spend here. Moira Evans and I will be
heading to Tyler and Rebecca’s for a whole week tomorrow
morning. The thought makes me smile; Moira’s horrified look
when she realized I wouldn’t help in her effort to decline the
offer was priceless. I plan to make that face a daily occurrence
until I leave.
“Regan!”
Álvaro’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to him and
see him pointing excitedly at the waves forming in the distance.
“You were right,” he says, thrilled.
“Of course I was,” I joke, lying down on my board and
paddling towards the waves.
 “The first one’s always for the best, and that’s not me,” he
admits, gesturing for me to go ahead.
He means the second wave; they always come in sets of
three, and the first is usually passed over.
I wink at him as I pass by, get ready, and stand on the
board at just the right moment. Seconds later, I’m riding at full
speed, the wave’s arch enveloping me, letting me enter that
tube where I disconnect from everything.
Half an hour later, I’m in my Jeep, driving home. I check my
watch and huff. I’m meeting Nicky for breakfast, and time’s
gotten away from me. I’m still drying my hair after my shower
when Nicky, the woman I met a few days ago, rings the
doorbell.
“You surf too?” Nicky asks by way of greeting, nodding
towards the board still strapped to the back of my Jeep.
I nod and step aside to let her in.
“I love riding the waves, too,” she says, pausing before me.
An awkward moment hangs in the air as neither of us
knows how to properly greet each other. I’m not used to having
any of my lovers over, especially not at my place. But Nicky, she
sparked some kind of trust in me, and before leaving the hotel,
I promised to fill her in about the alumni dinner fiasco.
“Let’s be clear and avoid awkward moments like this,” she
says, dropping the breakfast bag on the entryway table.
“And what needs clarifying?” I ask, a bit haughtily, running
my fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it.
“I didn’t come just to talk, and we both know it,” she
whispers, tugging playfully at my shirt collar.
“Right, we also planned to have breakfast,” I retort, and she
grins mischievously.
“And to fuck, don’t forget that,” she adds, giving me a
gentle push with the hand resting between my breasts, then
grabs the bag and looks around.
“The kitchen’s that way,” I point to the back door, surprised
by how Nicky makes everything seem so easy.
“Come on, after surfing, you must be starving.”
 “I won’t deny that,” I admit, following her as if she were the
host.
Nicky spreads an array of pastries across the table while I
squeeze some oranges, recalling Tyler’s ridiculous joke.
“So, how was the dinner?”
My lover, and possibly future friend, takes a sip of the juice
I’ve just poured her, then stuffs half a donut in her mouth. I
watch her chew with difficulty, laughing, and grab a donut for
myself.
“More fun than I expected,” I explain, and she finally
swallows.
“Sorry, sometimes I eat like a savage,” she laughs, taking
another bite of the donut, more delicately this time, then licks
the sugar off her fingers.
“I ran into this old classmate I had issues with in the past,
and we ended up pretending to be a couple because she was
embarrassed that everyone else had brought a date.”
“Really?” Nicky asks, surprised.
I nod, and she laughs before leaning forward curiously.
“Did you sleep with her?”
Nicky’s eyes narrow, her expression turning as mischievous
as it is sensual.
“Does it bother you?” I challenge her, mirroring her look.
“Not at all. I know you and I aren’t heading down the aisle.
You’re not my type, you know?” Nicky asks, and I laugh, both
surprised and appreciative of her bluntness.
“You’re breaking my heart here. I thought a second date
meant I should start planning our wedding,” I jest.
“I prefer it this way, casual encounters. Expecting things
from people is exhausting, so I decided a while ago to only
expect things from myself.”
“Bad experience?” I ask, my tone shifting to serious.
“Not exactly. Just experiences that left me feeling empty. So,
you didn’t sleep with her?” she asks thoughtfully, wrapping up
her explanation about herself.
 “No, but now I have to pretend we’re a couple for an entire
week, and that’s a bit unsettling.”
“Pretend?”
Nicky’s eyebrows shoot up, and I fill her in on Tyler and
Rebecca’s proposition over the next few minutes.
“They’re actually interested in Moira, but since they think
we’re a couple and she couldn’t deny it, I got roped in, too,” I
say, laughing. Nicky claps, amused as if she’s just watched a
hilarious play.
“I think you owe me one,” she muses, looking intently at
me. “Thanks to my pushing you to go to that dinner, you’re
getting paid a fortune to spend a week in a luxury villa where
you barely have to lift a finger, and you’ll get to hook up with a
woman so obsessed with appearing perfect, she lies to
everyone, including herself.”
I lower my gaze to the table, her perspective suddenly
casting Moira’s life in a more dismal light. How can she live like
that? Does she enjoy anything at all?
“Did I say something wrong?” Nicky asks, noticing my
distraction.
“No, not at all. How about I show you my couch?” I
suggest, raising an eyebrow flirtatiously. She grins
mischievously. “I find it very comfortable,” I add, standing up
with a seductive air.
“To be honest, I was thinking of fucking you right here, in
the kitchen.”
My heart races, and my breath quickens as she pats her
thighs, inviting me to sit astride her. I do so without hesitation,
wrapping my arms around her neck as she slides her hand
inside my pants, her fingers gently at first then more
demanding, pressing inside me. I let out sigh after sigh as she
nips at my lips, an orgasm building rapidly, as intense and quick
as the waves I rode this morning.
Nicky leaves in the mid-afternoon, after a day spent eating,
making love, and watching a movie whose title and plot I can’t
recall because she wouldn’t let me pay much attention.
 “If you need a break from those snobby idiots at the villa,
call me. I’ll come to your rescue, your knight in shining armor.”
“I just might,” I admit, with genuine honesty.
“Take care, Regan,” Nicky says, kissing my lips before
slipping out and shutting the door behind her.
I return to the living room, tidying up and tossing the sofa
cover in the wash to cleanse the remnants of our encounter.
Once everything’s in order, I sink into a chair with my phone in
hand, scrolling to Moira’s contact. Hesitating for a moment, I
finally press the call button and wait patiently as it rings.
“What do you want?” Moira answers, her voice laced with
irritation. Clearly, her day hasn’t been as relaxing as mine.
“Tomorrow’s the big day. Aren’t you excited?” I tease her,
elbows resting on my knees.
“Cut the crap, Regan. I’m not in the mood. Tomorrow’s
work, nothing more. I hope you see it that way, too, or we’ll
have issues.”
“Work and pretending to love each other, don’t forget that.”
Moira huffs into the receiver, creating a harsh, static-filled
noise that makes me pull the phone away from my ear.
“Did you call just to say that?”
“No. I called because I thought we should meet somewhere
to head to the villa together, like a happy couple and all that.”
“A thoughtful gesture, but it’s not necessary. I’m going with
Kevin, my kitchen assistant. I need to bring some of my
equipment, and he’s part of that. We’ll arrive in the delivery van,
as if we’re coming from Maisy’s. No one will suspect a thing.
You can show up whenever you want, even at the last minute.
I’ll tell them you had to tie up some loose ends,” she says,
clearly trying to minimize my presence.
I smile to myself and shake my head. If she thinks I’ll make
this easy after everything I went through because of her, she’s
mistaken. I’m intent on making her uncomfortable around the
clock.
“I appreciate the thought, darling,” I say intentionally, “but
I’ll be there early to help you.”
 “Don’t call me that,” she orders through clenched teeth
before hanging up.
 Chapter 7

Moira
“Wow,” Kevin whistles as the iron gate swings open, granting us
access to the villa.
He navigates the delivery van along a cobblestone driveway
winding through trees, fountains, lamp posts, flowerbeds, and
benches sprawling across an outrageously vast estate. I can’t
deny the sheer splendor of it all – the façade of the enormous
villa is nothing short of breathtaking.
Kevin parks the van to the side, and Rebecca and Tyler
emerge to greet us as we step out.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Rebecca says, enveloping
me in a hug, while Tyler looks on, smitten and smiling like a
fool.
“This is Kevin, my assistant,” I introduce. “I mentioned he’d
be coming with me.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tyler says, shaking Kevin’s hand. “We’ve
prepared a room for him right across from yours.”
“Thank you.”
I’m surprised they haven’t asked about Regan yet, but then
I see her striding out of the mansion with a radiant smile and a
mischievous, teasing expression that sets my nerves on edge.
Her hands are casually in her pockets, her tousled hair fluttering
around her face, giving her a disarmingly seductive look. My
throat goes dry as she passes Rebecca, turning serious. My
heart races uncontrollably when she stops before me, suddenly
slipping an arm around my neck and pulling me close.
“Good to see you’ve arrived,” she whispers, feigning
delighted to see me.
 I can’t reply because as I open my mouth to speak, she
seals it with a prolonged kiss that sends a tingling sensation
through my lips and stomach. When we break apart, we lock
eyes, and though I know I should say something, I’m too
stunned, standing with my mouth agape. Regan smiles at me
and strokes my neck before turning to Kevin, sizing him up
without hiding her surprise at his stature.
“Hey, Regan! Long time no see...” Kevin exclaims, playing
along with the story I’ve briefed him on.
I worry Regan will slip up, but she quickly throws her arms
around him, letting Kevin envelop her in a bear hug.
“My name’s Kevin,” I hear him whisper in her ear.
Regan laughs, playfully punches his chest, and winks at him.
“Well, now that we’re all here, I’ll show you where to park
the van. The staff will help with whatever you need,” Tyler says.
“I’ve got it, boss,” Kevin offers, and I grimace in horror.
“Let’s leave the ladies alone,” Tyler claps, walking away with
Kevin and leaving me alone with Regan and Rebecca.
“Come on, I’ll give you a quick tour of everything and then
show you to the guest house where your room is. Regan’s
luggage is already there, and yours will be brought shortly,”
Rebecca says, leading us around the side of the property.
She guides us with a smile, showing the tennis and padel
courts, a basketball court, and a small golf course. Then she
takes us to the back where two pools are situated - one for
summer and another covered and heated for winter. I watch
Regan, who looks around with a mix of awe and repulsion, as if
the opulence of the place is off-putting, even though she must
have amassed a good fortune by now.
“And now, my favorite spot,” Rebecca announces, zipping up
her puffer coat to her chin.
She leads us down a narrow stone path between trees,
which eventually clears to reveal steps descending to a
breathtaking private beach.
“Wow,” Regan breathes out next to me.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Rebecca beams, turning to us.
 “It really is,” I admit, my gaze fixed on the yacht floating a
few meters offshore.
A vast pier juts out into the sea at one end of the beach,
with two small leisure boats anchored to it. I wonder about the
cost of such a construction as I take in the view.
“You can settle in the guest house, and later, feel free to
come down here. The boats are available unless the waves are
too high. If you can’t pilot them, I can ask one of our staff to
take you out.”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” I respond, appreciative.
“Actually, I’d love a boat ride,” Regan interjects. When I turn
to glare at her, she raises an eyebrow and smirks, making it
clear she’s just trying to annoy me.
“How long have you two been together?” Rebecca suddenly
asks.
I feel a flush of panic, but Regan laughs and steps in before
I can fumble an answer. Why didn’t we come up with a
backstory?
“Just over a year,” Regan explains, wrapping an arm around
my waist and pulling me close. “One day, I was with a friend,
and as we walked past Maisy’s, she craved the pastries in the
display window.”
She tells the story so convincingly that even I start to
believe it, feeling intrigued by what she’ll say next.
“We went in, not knowing it was Moira’s bakery, and when
we saw each other... well,” she says with a shrug. “Moira was so
excited she came out to greet me with open arms. Remember,
sweetheart?” she asks, looking at me.
I suppress the anger bubbling inside me and nod, forcing a
smile, feeling her hand slide down to my backside. Despite the
cold December air, the heat from her hand sears through me,
and I stiffen.
“Yes, yes,” I smile, dazed, as Rebecca watches us
expectantly.
“We talked for a while, and before I left, Moira asked to see
me outside. I was unsure, but she insisted, and I couldn’t
refuse,” Regan continues smugly. When I glance at her,
intending to silently signal enough, she gives my butt a firm
squeeze, making me jump in surprise. “We had what you could
call a first date, and afterward, Moira pinned me against a wall
and kissed me, making clear what she hadn’t said in words all
afternoon.”
“How sweet,” Rebecca claps, genuinely moved by Regan’s
absurd tale. “I met Tyler at a golf match with my father. We
ended up sitting together and then drifted off to the cafeteria.
But enough about us, let’s go to the guest house. You must be
tired.”
Rebecca starts walking ahead, and I whip around to face
Regan, swatting her hand off my backside.
“If you do that again, I’ll break your fingers, hear me?” I
threaten, enunciating each word sharply.
“Remember, we’re supposed to be a couple.”
“Touching me inappropriately in front of people? I don’t
know what kind of deviants you’re used to, but I certainly didn’t
go around groping my ex-husband.”
As soon as the words escape, I regret them. Regan’s
eyebrows shoot up, and her jaw drops.
“You were married?” she whispers, and I start walking away.
“Leave me alone, we’re not discussing my life.”
Regan raises her eyebrows again and holds her hands up in
a gesture of peace. Rebecca walks a few meters ahead,
presumably giving us some privacy, but I’d rather step in cow
dung than be left alone with Regan. Her presence stirs
memories and feelings I only ever felt with her, which worries
me.
“We need to come up with a story,” I hiss, not stopping my
pace.
She gives me a quizzical look, and I wonder if she’s playing
dumb or genuinely doesn’t get it.
“About us, Regan. We can’t wing it every time someone
asks.”
 “Well, I think I did pretty well with that story,” she replies,
glancing at me sideways with a taunting air.
“Sure, a story where I fall madly in love at first sight. You
almost made it sound like I was dragging myself to you,
begging for a kiss, and you, being the lady you are, decided to
grant it out of pity, right?”
Regan whirls around suddenly, cutting off my path. I find
myself too close to her, the air around us so heavy it’s hard to
breathe as she looks directly into my eyes, her face darkened,
the usual playful arrogance gone.
“In another time, as I recall, it was you who pushed me into
a bathroom and shoved your tongue down my throat, cornered
me under the bleachers, in the locker room, even behind the
shed in the yard.”
Her reproach roots me to the spot. The fact that she
remembers each place where we kissed only intensifies my guilt
over what I did. She hasn’t forgotten, and her furious gaze
makes it clear she’s still hurt and hasn’t forgiven me. I haven’t
forgiven myself either, so I can’t blame her.
 Chapter 8
Moira
13 years ago
Attending that party was a reluctant first for me, midway
through our final year of high school. We were on the cusp of
college, and every excuse was good enough for a celebration.
The prospect of those parties never appealed to me. Yet, the
risk of social ostracism pushed me to conform and attend,
feeding my then-obsession with appearances.
Dating Tyler had thrust me into the spotlight of popularity, a
status I cherished almost as much as the relief I felt when he
dumped me for the cheerleading captain. My friends, expecting
me to be devastated, came with words of comfort. But their
sympathy only deepened my confusion. I wasn’t heartbroken; I
was liberated.
Being with Tyler felt like a transaction – the price for
popularity was his kisses and tolerating his wandering hands, all
devoid of the spark my friends incessantly talked about. They
described passion, tingles, excitement, and desire. I only wished
for it to end and, paradoxically, for it to happen again, hoping
each time would ignite something in me. But it never did. It was
baffling – why didn’t I feel what I was supposed to feel with the
most desirable guy in school? I consoled myself, thinking he just
wasn’t the right one for me, and someday, someone would
make me experience that delirious thrill everyone talked about.
Nervously, I arrived at the party, spurred on by friends who
saw it as the perfect opportunity to hook me up with someone
new and forget Tyler. But I had already moved past him,
maintaining a friendly rapport. Surprisingly, I began to enjoy the
party. A few drinks shed my inhibitions, and I danced wildly for
hours. As the music softened and groups formed for a respite,
we decided to step into the garden. That’s where I saw Regan
seated under a tree with a girl and a boy. We were never close;
our circles of friends never overlapped. She was always with
those two, always laughing – a genuine joy that drew my
envious gaze. Their camaraderie was a stark contrast to the
petty envies and gossip that marred my group, where
conversations revolved around boys, parties, and expensive
clothes. Regan and her friends seemed untouched by such
superficialities. And Regan herself had something about her – a
magnetism that made me avert my gaze in nervousness,
clouding my thoughts.
As I watched them, I recognized an ease in their
interactions, a genuine connection missing from my own social
circle. Their laughter was unburdened by the pretenses that
ruled my world. Regan, in particular, exuded an effortless
charisma that captivated me. Whenever she laughed, her eyes
crinkling with genuine mirth, I found myself entranced. Her
every gesture, the way she spoke, left me breathless, especially
when her gaze met mine. I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol or a
genuine fascination, but I felt drawn to her, my heart racing
with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Regan and her friends seemed to exist in a bubble of
authenticity, immune to the trivial concerns that dominated my
group’s conversations. In contrast, my world was rife with
shallow gossip and constant competition, fixated on boys and
material possessions. But with Regan, there was a sense of
freedom, an escape from the pretenses that I had become so
entangled in. Her presence was like a breath of fresh air, stirring
feelings in me that I couldn’t fully understand but desperately
wanted to explore.
“Mind if we join?” Tyler asked the trio under the tree,
gesturing to the ground.
“Sure,” replied Regan’s friend, her voice easy and inviting.
We settled down beside them, a curious mix of contrasting
worlds. Regan’s friend kept tossing out jokes, and despite our
obvious differences, laughter bridged the gap. I found myself
captivated by Regan, her laugh like a melody, her eyes crinkling
in genuine amusement. I was drawn to her every move, her
every word, and the way my heart skipped a beat each time our
eyes met.
I wondered if it was the buzz from the drinks or a genuine
fixation, but it felt like Regan was giving me more attention than
anyone else. It was exhilarating, sending my pulse racing with a
mix of nerves and excitement.
“How about a game of spin the bottle?” Tyler proposed,
setting down an empty bottle he and others had been sharing.
My stomach tightened at the suggestion, but as everyone
else cheered in approval, I forced a smile, playing along with
the apparent thrill of the game.
One girl dashed off, returning with a notepad and pencil.
She scribbled down everyone’s names, folding each piece of
paper and placing them into a bag. “This way, it’s all random, or
everyone would just pick Tyler,” she joked, eliciting laughter
from the group. “Whoever the bottle points to picks a name,
and that’s the person they have to kiss.”
The game of spin the bottle, a teenage rite of passage,
suddenly felt like a tightrope walk over a chasm of my own
emotions. Had I been given the choice, I would’ve picked Tyler,
the easy and expected option. We’d been together, and
everyone assumed I was still pining over him. But deep down,
my heart was wrestling with a different truth. Each time the
game nudged me to consider whom I wanted to kiss, my gaze
reached Regan.
The game began haphazardly, and I realized how absurd it
all was as it followed the clock’s hands. It was more about
stirring excitement and the unexpected thrill than anything else.
“No chaste kisses,” declared my friend Olivia. “We want
tongue, and it’s got to last at least five seconds.” No one
objected, and I tensed up again, smiling outwardly as though
eager to begin.
We formed a circle, and the bottle’s first spin singled out
Olivia. She drew Eric Tomas’ name and dived into the kiss with a
zeal that left us all speechless. When her turn came to spin, the
bottle pointed to Regan’s friend, and a tender, knowing
exchange followed. I sensed a hidden connection between
them, a realization that dawned on me just as the bottle spun
my way, stopping abruptly to point directly at me.
The group’s excited whistles echoed in my ears as I tried to
steady my nerves. It was just a kiss, after all. Tyler handed me
the bag of names. My hand brushed against a slip of paper, but
as I pulled out, a sudden paper cut made me drop it. Laughter
filled the air.
“It’s not an excuse to chicken out, is it?” Olivia teased, her
lips still flushed from her kiss with Eric.
Ignoring her, I reached back into the bag, more deliberately
this time, sifting through the papers until I settled on one. My
hand trembled as I unfolded it, the anticipation thick around
me. Reading the name aloud, my voice cracked, my throat dry
with a mix of fear and an unspoken desire.
“Regan Jensen.”
 Chapter 9
Regan
We arrive at the guest house wrapped in a blanket of
uncomfortable silence, so palpable even Rebeca picks up on it.
She guides us through the kitchen, a quick offer if we need
anything, then the dining room. Climbing the stairs, she turns
down the right hallway to our room.
“I’m going to need a map to find my way back here,” I joke,
and it earns me a laugh from both of them, slicing through the
tension like a knife.
“The layout is a bit... quirky,” Rebeca admits with a sheepish
grin. “Anyway, here we are. This is your room.”
The click of a key unlocking the door surprises me, but as
we step inside, I see why. It’s less a room more an apartment. A
massive bed dominates the right wall, flanked by two sofas, a
huge TV, and a sprawling desk with dual workstations. The
terrace, offering a breathtaking sea view, tempts me to step
outside. Just as Rebeca described, the bathroom features a
jacuzzi tub on the left and a spacious shower on the right, with
dual sinks in between. I’ve always found such setups odd;
anything designed to keep distance in a relationship feels out of
place to me.
Moira surveys the room in silence, her gaze lingering on the
bed, lost in thought.
“Feel free to roam around,” Tyler’s girlfriend says quickly.
“Join us for dinner at eight in the main dining room, or order in
if you prefer.”
“Wow, it’s much better than a hotel,” I can’t help but say,
genuinely impressed.
“No doubt about that,” she smiles.
 “Where’s the kitchen so I can work?” Moira asks, her tone
distant.
“In the main building. The staff will show you tomorrow,
don’t worry.”
“Could I get the song list? I’d like to start sorting them into
folders,” I ask Rebeca, mirroring Moira’s professionalism.
“Of course, I’ll get it to you tomorrow. Now, rest up, and
thank you so much for being here,” she says warmly, her
hospitality shining through.
Once Rebeca leaves, I turn to Moira, who’s still fixated on
the bed.
“I get the right side,” I announce, diving onto it.
“You can have the whole bed. I’ll sleep on the couch,” she
replies, sitting down to test it.
Her grimace tells me all I need to know about the couch’s
comfort. Grinning, I pat the bed beside me. “It’s huge; we don’t
even have to touch.”
“I said no.”
“Fine, have it your way. But no complaints about a sore back
tomorrow, and don’t expect a massage.”
Moira sighs, standing up to reluctantly approach the bed,
perching on its edge.
“Let’s work on our story.”
“I sense I won’t get a word in, but what’s your plan?” I ask,
sitting up.
“Thanks to your vivid imagination, they know how we met.
We just need to decide where we live.”
“And where’s that?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Obviously, my place in Santa Barbara. Maisy’s there, and as
a DJ, you don’t have a fixed workplace. It makes sense.”
“I have my own studio at home,” I protest, almost childishly.
“Well, you’ve just set up another one at my place,” she ends
the topic abruptly.
“Is Kevin your ex-husband?” I blurt out, and she whirls
around, aghast.
“Kevin is gay,” she fires back as if that settles everything.
 “I gathered that, but it doesn’t answer my question. I need
to know who he is. We nearly tripped up on arrival. Lucky for
us, Kevin’s quick on his feet, and we’re both good actors. If it
had been up to you, we would’ve been busted on day one,” I
tease her.
“Kevin is my kitchen assistant and my friend, nothing more.
I met him at a cooking competition. That’s all you need to know
about him, and about me.”
“Fine. Poor guy, though. Putting up with your mood swings
every day must be exhausting.”
“I’m not like that with him.”
“And why are you with me?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“Because I can’t stand you.”
Moira stands up, pacing the room as if it helps her unwind.
“What’s your favorite food?” she asks suddenly, and I raise
my eyebrows, taken aback.
“Planning to cook for me? How thoughtful...”
“If I ever cook for you, it’ll be laced with laxatives, so you’re
stuck in the bathroom all day, leaving me in peace. Couples
know these things,” she clarifies with a sigh so heavy she almost
lifts off the ground like a balloon.
“I don’t have a favorite food; I like everything,” I respond,
and she looks surprised.
“Great. Mine’s spaghetti.”
“Spaghetti? How cute. That was my favorite until I was
eight.”
Moira shoots me a deadly glare before grabbing her
enormous suitcase and dropping it on the bed to unpack.
We decide to have dinner in the guest house, and as we
descend to the dining room, we realize the only diners are
Kevin, her, and me.
“Wow,” Moira says, eyebrows raised.
“Surprised?” Kevin asks as I take a seat beside him.
“Are you not?”
“Of course not. All the wedding guests are high society; we
don’t fit in here at all. Well, maybe Regan,” he smiles, looking at
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 Figure 79. De Konick’s Apparatus.

467. DeKonick’s Modification of Schloesing’s

Method.—This modification consists in an
arrangement of the gas delivery-tube, whereby the
regurgitation of the water in the measuring burette into
the evolution flask is prevented by a device for sealing
the delivery-tube with mercury.[299] The apparatus is
arranged as shown in Fig. 79. The flask in which the
Figure 80. decomposition takes place is provided with a long neck,
End of
Delivery-
into which a side tube is sealed and bent upwards,
Tube. carrying a small funnel attached to it by rubber tubing.
The piece of rubber tubing carries a pinch-cock, by
means of which the solution containing the nitrate and
hydrochloric acid can be introduced into the flask. The small gas
delivery-tube is arranged as shown in the figure, and carries at the
end next the burette a device shown in Fig. 80. The cork represented
in this device has radial notches cut in it, so as to permit of a free
communication between the water in the burette and in the
pneumatic trough. The open end of the burette, when the apparatus
is mounted ready for use, rests on the notched surface of the cork,
and the end of the delivery-tube is placed in the crystallizing dish
resting on the bottom of the pneumatic trough.
The end of the delivery-tube, as indicated, has fused onto it a
vertical tube open at both ends and six to seven centimeters in
length, and carrying the notched cork already described. The
crystallizing dish in the bottom of the pneumatic trough is filled with
mercury until the point of union of the delivery-tube with the vertical
end is sealed to the depth of a few millimeters. As the gas is evolved
it bubbles up through the mercury into the measuring tube and the
displaced water passes out through the notches in the cork. Should
any back pressure supervene the mercury at once rises in the
delivery-tube which is of such a length as to prevent its entrance into
the flask. The operation can then be carried on with absolute safety.
To make an estimation there are placed in the flask about forty
cubic centimeters of ferrous chlorid solution containing about 200
grams of iron to the liter, and also an equal volume of hydrochloric
acid of one and one-tenth specific gravity. The side tube is also filled
up to the funnel with the acid. The contents of the flask are boiled
until all air is expelled, which can be determined by holding a test-
tube filled with water over the end of the delivery-tube. The solution
containing the nitrate is next placed in the funnel, the pinch-cock
opened and the liquid allowed to run into the flask by means of the
partial vacuum produced by stopping the boiling and allowing the
mercury to rise in the delivery-tube. All the solution is washed into
the flask by successive rinsings of the funnel with hydrochloric acid,
being careful to allow no bubble of air to enter. The contents of the
flask are again raised to the boiling-point and the nitric oxid evolved
collected in the nitrometer. The solution examined should contain
enough nitrate to afford from sixty to eighty cubic centimeters of gas.
Without refilling the flask, from eight to nine determinations can be
made by regenerating the ferrous chlorid by treatment with zinc
chlorid. Care must be exercised not to add the zinc chlorid in excess,
otherwise ammonia and not nitric oxid will be produced. The side
tube and funnel must also be carefully freed from zinc chlorid by
washing with hydrochloric acid.
 468. Schmidt’s Process.—In the case of a water, or the aqueous
extract of a soil, according to the content of nitric acid, from fifty to
one hundred cubic centimeters are evaporated to thirty cubic
centimeters, and the residue sucked into the generating flask of the
apparatus, Fig. 81, and, with the rinsings with distilled water,
evaporated again to from twenty to thirty cubic centimeters, and the
flask then connected, as shown in the figure, to a Schliff measuring
apparatus, B.[300] This apparatus is previously filled to i with
mercury, and the bulb g connected with k by a rubber tube.
The apparatus is then
filled with a twenty per
cent, previously boiled
and still warm, caustic
soda solution until the
bulb g is partially filled
when raised a little above
the cock h. Then h is
closed and g held, by an
appropriate support, on
about the same level with
h. The cock at b is then
closed and e opened.
Meanwhile the ebullition
in the flask is continued,
and the air bubbles rising
in the Schliff apparatus
are removed, from time
Figure 81. Schmidt’s Apparatus.
to time, by carefully
opening h and raising g.
When bubbles no longer come over, the cock at e is closed and at b
opened, and the steam issuing at a is conducted through a mixture of
ferrous chlorid and strong hydrochloric acid to free it, as far as
possible, from air. When the contents of the flask have been
evaporated to about five cubic centimeters, b is closed and the lamp
at once removed.
By carefully opening b about ten cubic centimeters of a mixture of
ferrous chlorid and hydrochloric acid are allowed to enter the flask,
when b is closed and the flask slowly heated until the positive
pressure is restored. The pinch-cock e is then opened and the
contents of the flask evaporated nearly to dryness. The cock e is
again closed and the flame removed. Another quantity (fifteen cubic
centimeters) of ferrous chlorid and hydrochloric acid solution is
sucked into the flask and the process of distillation repeated,
whereby the whole of the nitric oxid is collected in h. The nitric oxid
evolved is measured in the usual way and calculated to nitric acid,
one cubic centimeter of nitrogen dioxid being equal to 2.417
milligrams of nitric acid.
469. Merits of the Ferrous Chlorid Process.—The possibility
of an accurate determination of nitrates; by decomposition with a
ferrous salt in presence of an excess of acid, has been established by
many years of experience and by the testimony of many analysts. The
method is applicable especially where the quantity of nitrate is not
too small and when organic matter is present. In the case of minute
quantities of nitrate, however, the process is inapplicable and must
give way to some of the colorimetric methods to be hereafter
described.
In respect of the apparatus modern practice has led to the
preference of that form which does not require the use of carbon
dioxid for displacing the air. Steam appears to be quite as effective as
carbon dioxid and is much more easily employed. That form of
apparatus should be used which is the simplest in construction and
has the least cubical content.
The measurement of the evolved gas is most simply made by
collecting over lye in an azotometer, reading the volume, noting the
reading of the barometer and thermometer and then reducing to
standard conditions of pressure and temperature by the customary
calculations. Where a very strong lye is used the tension of the
aqueous vapor may be neglected. While every analyst should have a
thorough knowledge of the ferrous chlorid method and the principles
on which it is based it can not be compared in simplicity to the later
methods with pure nitrates which are based on the conversion of the
nitric acid into ammonia by the action of nascent hydrogen. In
accuracy, moreover, it does not appear to have any marked
advantage over the reduction methods.
470. Mercury and Sulfuric Acid Method.—This simple and
accurate method of determining nitric acid in the absence of organic
matter is known as the Crum-Frankland process.[301]
The method rests on the principle of converting nitric acid into
nitric oxid by the action of mercury in the presence of sulfuric acid.
The operation as at first described is conducted in a glass jar eight
inches long by one and a half inches in diameter filled with mercury
and inverted in a trough containing the same liquid. The nitrate to be
examined, in a solid form, is passed into the tube together with three
cubic centimeters of water and five of sulfuric acid. With occasional
shaking, two hours are allowed for the disengagement of the gas,
which is then measured.
471. Warington’s Modification.—A graduated shaking tube is
employed which allows the nitrate solution and oil of vitriol to be
brought to a definite volume. The nitrate solution, with rinsings, is
always two cubic centimeters and enough sulfuric acid is added to
increase the volume to five cubic centimeters. The sulfuric acid
should give no gas when shaken with distilled water. Any gas given
off in the apparatus before shaking, is not expelled but is included in
the final result. The persistent froth sometimes noticed where some
kinds of organic matter are present, is reduced by the addition of a
few drops of hot water through the stop-cock of the apparatus. The
nitric oxid is finally measured in Frankland’s modification of
Regnault’s apparatus.
This method, accurate for pure nitrates, unfortunately fails in the
presence of any considerable amount of organic matter.
According to Warington’s observations the presence of chlorids is
no hindrance to the accurate determination of both nitric and nitrous
acids by the mercury method. This simplifies the operation as carried
on by Frankland who directs that any chlorin present, be removed
before the determination of the nitric acid is commenced.
472. Noyes’ Method.—In the analyses made by Noyes for the
National Board of Health, the Crum-Frankland method was
employed.[302] The apparatus used was essentially that which is now
known as Lunge’s nitrometer and it will be described in the next
paragraph. No correction is made by Noyes for the tension of
aqueous vapor in the measurement of the nitric oxid because of the
moderate dilution of the sulfuric acid by the liquid holding the nitric
compounds in solution. The chlorin was not removed from the dry
residue of the evaporated water as its presence in moderate quantity
does not interfere with the accuracy of the process. In order to obtain
the amount of nitrogen in the form of nitrates, the total volume of
nitric oxid must be diminished by that due to nitrites present, which
must be determined in a separate analysis. The method of
manipulation is given in the following paragraph.
 473. Lunge’s Nitrometer.—The apparatus
employed by Noyes, in a somewhat more elaborate
form, is known as Lunge’s nitrometer.[303] This
apparatus is shown in Fig. 82. It consists of a burette,
a, divided into one-fifth cubic centimeters. At its
upper end it is expanded into a cup-shaped funnel
attached by a three-way glass stop-cock. Below, the
burette is joined to a plain tube, b, of similar size, by
means of rubber tubing. The apparatus is first filled
with mercury through the tube b, the stop-cock being
so adjusted as to allow the mercury to fill the cup at
the top of a. The cock is then turned until the mercury
in the cup flows out through the side tube carrying the
rubber tube and clamp. The three-way cock is closed,
and the solution containing the nitrate placed in the
cup. By lowering the tube b and opening the cock the
liquid is carefully passed into a, being careful to close
the cock before all the liquid has passed out of the
cup. By repeated rinsings with pure concentrated
sulfuric acid, every particle of the nitric compound is
finally introduced into a, together with a large excess
of sulfuric acid. The total volume of the introduced
liquid should not exceed ten cubic centimeters. The
Figure 82. Lunge’s Nitrometer. mixture of the mercury, nitric compound, and sulfuric
acid is effected by detaching a from its support,
compressing the rubber connection between a and b,
placing a nearly in a horizontal position, and quickly bringing it into a vertical position with
vigorous shaking.
After about five minutes the reaction is complete, and the level of the liquids in the two
tubes is so adjusted as to compensate for the difference in specific gravity between the acid
mixture in a and the mercury in b; in other words, the mercury column in b should stand
above the mercury column in a one-seventh of the length of the acid mixture in a. This
secures atmospheric pressure on the nitric oxid which has been collected in a. The measured
volume of nitric oxid should be reduced to 0° and 760 millimeters barometric pressure. Each
cubic centimeter of nitric oxid thus obtained corresponds to 1.343 milligrams NO; 2.417
milligrams N₂O₅; 4.521 milligrams KNO₃; 1.701 milligrams N₂O₃; 2.820 milligrams HNO₃;
and 3.805 milligrams NaNO₃.
474. Lunge’s Improved Apparatus.—Lunge has lately improved his apparatus for
generating and measuring gases and extended its applicability.[304] The part of it designed to
measure the volume of a gas is the same in all cases. For generating the gas, the apparatus
varies according to the character of the substance under examination.
The measuring apparatus is shown in Fig. 83. It is composed essentially of three tubes,
conveniently mounted on a wooden holder with a box base for securing any spilled mercury.
The support is not shown in the illustration.
The tubes A, B, C, are mutually connected by means of a three-way tube and rubber tubing
with very thick walls to safely hold the mercury without expansion. In the middle of the
measuring tube A, is found a bulb of seventy cubic centimeters capacity. Above and below the
bulb the tube is divided into tenths of a cubic centimeter, and its diameter is such, viz., 11.3
millimeters, that each cubic centimeter occupies a length of one centimeter. The upper end of
A is closed with a glass cock with two oblique perforations, by means of which
communication can be established at will, either through e with the apparatus for generating
the gas, or through d with the absorption apparatus, or the opening be completely closed.
The volume of air under the observed conditions which would
measure exactly 100 cubic centimeters at 0° and 760
millimeters pressure of mercury, is calculated by the formula
V = 100(273 + t)760
273(b − f) ;

where t equals observed temperature, b the barometric pressure

less the correction noted above and f the tension of the vapor of
water under existing conditions. For example:

Figure. 83.

Lunge’s Improved Apparatus.

Let the temperature be 18°

Barometric reading 755
Correction for t 2
Corrected barometer 753
Vapor of water tension 16

Then V = 100(273 + 18)760

273(753 − 16) = 109.9.

This indicates that 109.9 cubic centimeters of air would occupy a volume of 100 cubic
centimeters when subjected to standard conditions.
The tubes A, B, and C are filled with mercury of which about two and a half kilograms will
be required. By means of the leveling tube B, the stopper in C being opened, the mercury in C
is brought exactly to 109.9 cubic centimeters. The stopper in C is then closed, mercury
poured into D, which is then closed with a rubber stopper, carrying a small glass tube as
indicated in the figure.
 The leveling tube B serves to regulate the pressure on the gas in A and this is secured by
depressing or elevating it as the case may require.
The tube for reducing the volume to standard conditions of temperature and pressure, viz.,
0° and 760 millimeters of mercury, is shown in C. In its narrow part which has the same
internal diameter as A it is graduated into tenths of a cubic centimeter. The upper end of C is
furnished with a heavy glass neck D surmounted by a glass cup. In the neck is placed a
ground-glass stopper, carrying a groove below, which corresponds to a similar groove above
in the side of the neck whereby communication can be established at will between the interior
of C and the exterior. The joint is also sealed by pouring mercury into D as is shown in the
figure. When the stopper is well ground and greased the reduction tube may be raised or
lowered as much as may be necessary without any danger of escape or entrance of gas. To
determine the position of the reduction tube C the reading of the barometer and
thermometer at room temperature is taken. From the reading of the barometer subtract one
millimeter if the temperature be below 12°, two millimeters at a temperature from 12° to 19°,
three from 20° to 25°, and four above 25°.
When a gas has been introduced into the measuring tube A it is brought to the volume
which it would assume under standard conditions by adjusting the tube C in such a way as to
bring the level of mercury in C and A to the same point and the level of the mercury in C is
exactly at 100 cubic centimeters. The gas in A is then at the volume which it would occupy
under standard conditions and this volume can be directly read. This adjustment is secured
by moving the tubes B and C up or down. If gases are to be measured wet, a drop of water
should be put on the side of the upper part of C, and, if dry, of sulfuric acid, before the
adjustment for temperature and pressure.
475. Method of Manipulation.—By the action of mercury in the presence of sulfuric
acid, the nitrogen in nitrates, nitrites, nitrosulfates, nitroses, nitrocellulose, nitroglycerol, and
the greater number of explosives, may be obtained and measured as nitric oxid. The nitrogen
compounds are decomposed in the apparatus shown in Fig. 84.
To make an analysis, the apparatus is filled with mercury, through F, until the two
openings in the cock and i are entirely occupied with that liquid. The cock h is then closed,
and the nitrogen compound, in solution, introduced through g, care being taken that no air
enters g when F is depressed and h opened to admit the sample. The funnel g is washed
several times with a few drops of sulfuric acid, which are successively introduced into G. The
total liquid introduced should not exceed ten to fifteen cubic centimeters, of which the
greater part should be sulfuric acid. The rubber tube connecting G and F is carefully closed
with a clamp and G violently shaken for a few minutes until no further evolution of nitric oxid
takes place. In shaking, the apparatus should be so held as to prevent the escape of the
mercury from the small tube i by keeping it closed with the finger or drawing over it a rubber
cap.
After the evolution of the gas has ceased, the tube e, Fig. 83, is brought into contact with i,
Fig. 84, and the two are joined by a tight-fitting piece of rubber tubing in such a way as to
exclude any particle of air. The tube F, Fig. 84, is lifted and B and C, Fig. 83, depressed. On
carefully opening the cocks h and b and bringing i and e into union, the gas is passed from G
into A. When all the gas has entered A and the acid mixture from G has reached b the latter is
closed, and also h. The apparatus G is disconnected and removed. The gas in A is then
reduced to normal conditions by manipulating the reduction tube C in the manner already
described.
The gas in A is measured dry by reason of having been generated in presence of rather
strong sulfuric acid. Consequently, for this operation the adjustment of the volume of gas in C
should be made in contact with a drop of strong sulfuric acid. In order to make the readings,
a quantity of material must be taken which will give less than thirty or from 100 to 140 cubic
centimeters of nitric oxid.
 The quantities of the different compounds of nitric acid corresponding
to the number of cubic centimeters of nitric oxid, measured under
standard conditions, are shown in the following table:

Figure 84.

Lunge’s Analytic
Apparatus.

CORRESPONDING TO
———————————— ———————————— ————————————
Cubic Weight in N₂O₃ in milligrams. HNO₃ in milligrams. NaNO₃ in milligrams.
centimeters milligrams.
of NO.
1 1.343 1.701 2.820 3.805
2 2.682 3.402 5.640 7.610
3 4.029 5.103 8.460 11.415
4 5.372 6.804 11.280 15.220
5 6.715 8.506 14.100 19.025
6 8.058 10.206 16.920 22.830
7 9.401 11.907 19.740 26.635
8 10.744 13.608 22.560 30.440
9 12.087 15.309 25.380 34.245

476. Utility of the Method.—Where it is desirable that the nitric oxid method be used,
and at the same time heating be avoided, the decomposition of a nitrate by means of metallic
mercury and sulfuric acid affords a convenient and accurate procedure. But, as a rule, there is
no objection to the application of the lamp, and in such cases the mercury method appears to
have no advantage over the ferrous chlorid process. Nevertheless, in the hands of a skilled
worker the results are reliable, and the process is a quicker one, on the whole, than by
distillation with ferrous chlorid and hydrochloric acid. This method, however, can not be
recommended as in any way superior to the reduction methods to be hereinafter described.
 ESTIMATION OF NITRIC ACID BY OXIDATION OF A
COLORED SOLUTION.
477. Method of Boussingault.—The process for the estimation of nitric acid by the
decoloration of a solution of indigo is due originally to Boussingault.[305] In this method the
extract, obtained by washing slowly 200 grams of soil until the filtrate amounts to 300 cubic
centimeters, is evaporated until its volume is no greater than two or three cubic centimeters,
and it is transferred to a test-tube, with washings, and again evaporated in the tube until the
volume is not greater than that last mentioned. A few drops of solution of indigo are added,
and then two cubic centimeters of pure hydrochloric acid; the whole is then heated. As the
color of the indigo disappears more is added. When the color ceases to fade, the liquid in the
test-tube is concentrated by boiling. If concentration fail to destroy the blue or green color,
another one-half cubic centimeter of hydrochloric acid is introduced. The reaction is
completed when neither concentration nor fresh addition of hydrochloric acid destroys the
excess of indigo present. The color produced by a small excess of indigo is a bright sap-green;
this tint is the final reaction sought. The small excess of indigo necessary to produce a green
color is deducted in every experiment.
When more than mere traces of organic matter are present, Boussingault advises that the
nitric acid be first separated by distillation and then reduced by the indigo solution. For this
purpose the concentrated solution of the nitrate, two or three cubic centimeters, is placed in a
small tubulated retort with two grams of manganese dioxid in fine powder. The retort is next
half filled with fragments of broken glass, over which is poured one cubic centimeter of
concentrated sulfuric acid. The retort is heated carefully by means of a small flame, which is
kept in motion so as to successively come in contact with all parts of the bottom of the retort.
The distillate is received in a graduated test-tube which is kept cool. The distillation is
continued until the vapors of sulfuric acid begin to appear. The apparatus is allowed to cool,
the stopper of the retort removed, two cubic centimeters of water introduced, and the
distillation again made until fumes of sulfuric acid are again seen. The distillation with water
is made twice in order to remove every trace of nitric acid from the retort. The distillate is
neutralized with a solution of potassium hydroxid and concentrated to two cubic centimeters,
and the nitric acid estimated in the manner already described. The manganese dioxid used
should be previously well washed and the sulfuric must be free of nitric acid.
Preparation of the Indigo Solution.—Fifty grams of indigo in fine powder are digested for
twenty-four hours, at 40°, in a liter of distilled water. The water is then poured off and
replaced with a fresh supply. After the second decantation the residue is treated with 750
cubic centimeters of equal parts of water and pure concentrated hydrochloric acid and boiled
for an hour. After cooling, the undissolved portion is collected on a filter and washed at first
with hot, and afterwards with cold water, until the filtrate is no longer colored and is free of
acid. The dried residue is treated with ether under a bell-jar, or in a continuous extraction
apparatus, until the ether is only of a faint blue tint. The fifty grams of indigo at first taken
will give about twenty-five grams of the purified article, which, however, will still leave a little
ash on combustion.
Solution in Sulfuric Acid.—Five grams of the purified indigo are placed in a flask having a
ground-glass stopper, treated with twenty-five grams of fuming sulfuric acid, and allowed to
digest two or three days at a temperature of from 50° to 60°. From seventy to 200 drops of
the solution thus made are placed in 100 cubic centimeters of water for use in the process.
Standardization of the Indigo Solution.—The solution as prepared above is standardized
by a solution of one gram of pure potassium nitrate in 1,000 cubic centimeters of distilled
water. The oxidation of the indigo solution is accomplished as described above. For this
strength of standard nitrate solution two cubic centimeters are taken corresponding to two
milligrams of potassium nitrate. The indigo solution for this strength should have only
twenty drops of the sulfuric acid solution of indigo to 100 cubic centimeters of water. If
twenty grams of potassium nitrate are taken for 1,000 cubic centimeters of the standard
solution then 200 drops of the sulfindigotic acid should be used to 100 cubic centimeters of
water.
478. Method of Marx.—As usually practiced, the indigo method is conducted according
to the variation described by Marx.[306] There are required for the process the following
reagents and apparatus:
a. A solution of pure potassium nitrate containing 1.8724 grams per liter. One cubic
centimeter of the solution is equivalent to one milligram of nitric anhydrid (N₂O₅).
b. A solution of the best indigo carmine in water which should be approximately
standardized by solution in the manner described hereafter, and then diluted so that six to
eight cubic centimeters equal one milligram of nitric acid.
c. Chemically pure sulfuric acid of specific gravity 1.842, perfectly free from sulfurous and
arsenious acids and nitrogen oxids.
d. Several thin flasks of about 200 cubic centimeters capacity.
e. A small cylindrical measure holding fifty cubic centimeters and divided into cubic
centimeters.
f. A Mohr’s burette divided into tenths of a cubic centimeter.
g. A twenty-five cubic centimeter pipette or another burette.
h. A five cubic centimeter pipette divided into cubic centimeters or half cubic centimeters.
i. A measuring flask of 250 cubic centimeters capacity.
Preliminary Trial.—Twenty-five cubic centimeters of the sample are transferred to a flask;
the fifty cubic centimeter measure is filled with sulfuric acid and the burette with indigo
solution. The sulfuric acid is added to the sample all at once, shaken for a moment, and the
indigo run in as quickly as possible with shaking until a permanent greenish tint is produced.
If the sample do not require more than twenty cubic centimeters of indigo solution of the
above strength, it can be titrated directly, otherwise it must be diluted with a proper quantity
of pure water, and subjected again to the preliminary trial.
The Actual Titration.—(1) Twenty-five cubic centimeters of the sample properly diluted if
necessary, are measured and poured into a flask, and as much indigo as was used in the
preliminary trial, is added; a quantity of sulfuric acid, equal in volume to the liquid in the
flask, is added all at once, the mixture shaken, and indigo solution run in quickly out of the
burette until the liquid remains permanently of a greenish tint.
(2) The last experiment is repeated as often as may be necessary adding to the water at first
half a cubic centimeter less indigo than the total quantity used previously, afterwards
proceeding as in (1) until the final test shows too little indigo used.
(3) From the rough titration of the indigo, calculate the amount of potassium nitrate
solution corresponding with the indigo solution used in (2), multiply the result by ten,
transfer this quantity of the standard nitrate solution to a 250 cubic centimeter flask, fill with
pure water to the mark, and titrate twenty-five cubic centimeters of this fluid with indigo as
in (2). If the quantity of indigo solution used is nearly the same as that required in (2), its
exact value may be calculated, but if it is not, another nitrate solution may be made up in the
250 cubic centimeter flask, more closely resembling the sample in strength, and the titration
with the indigo solution must be repeated.
(4) If the water contain any considerable amount of organic matter, it must first be
destroyed by potassium permanganate. In this case, the estimation of the organic matter and
nitric acid may be conveniently combined.
The use of permanganate in the above case is likely to introduce an error as has been
shown by Warington. The method therefore can not be recommended in the presence of
organic matter.
479. Method of Warington.—The modification of the indigo method as used by
Warington, applicable only in absence of organic matter, is the one chiefly employed in
England.[307]
Instead of the ordinary indigo of commerce, indigotin is used. The normal solution of the
coloring matter is made of such a strength as to be equivalent to a solution of potassium
nitrate containing 0.14 gram of nitrogen per liter. Where large quantities of the coloring
matter are to be used it is advisable to prepare it about four times the strength given above
and then dilute it as required. Four grams of sublimed indigotin will furnish more than two
liters of the color solution.
The solution is prepared as follows:
Four grams of indigotin are digested for a few hours with five times that weight of
Nordhausen sulfuric acid, diluted with water, filtered, and made up to a volume of two liters.
The strength of the indigotin solution is determined with a solution of potassium nitrate of
the strength mentioned above. The process is performed as follows:
From ten to twenty cubic centimeters of the standard nitrate solution are placed in a wide-
mouthed flask of about 150 cubic centimeters capacity. A portion of the indigotin solution is
next added, such as will be deemed sufficient for the process, and the whole is well mixed.
Strong sulfuric acid is next measured out from a burette into a test-tube, in volume equal to
the united volumes of the nitrate solution and indigotin. The whole of the sulfuric acid is then
poured as quickly as possible, into the solution in the flask and rapidly mixed, and the flask
transferred to a calcium chlorid bath, the temperature of which should be maintained at 140°.
It is essential to the success of the operation that the sulfuric acid should be mixed with the
greatest rapidity. It should be poured in at once and the whole well shaken without waiting
for the test-tube containing the acid, to drain. The flask should be covered by a watch-glass
while it is held in the bath. As soon as the larger part of the indigotin is oxidized the flask in
the bath should be gently rotated. With very weak solutions of nitrate it may be necessary
sometimes to keep the flask in the bath for five minutes. When the indigo color is quickly
discharged it shows the presence of nitric acid in considerable excess and a considerably
larger quantity of indigo must be taken in the next experiment. The experiments are
continued until just the quantity of indigo necessary to consume the nitric acid is taken, the
amount of indigo being in very slight excess, not exceeding one-tenth cubic centimeter of the
indigo solution used. The tint produced by the small excess of indigo remaining is best seen
by filling the flask with water. On substances of approximately known strength about four
experiments are usually necessary to determine the amount of indigo to be taken, but with
unknown substances a larger number may be necessary.
Usually in determinations of this kind it is directed to use double the volume of sulfuric
acid mentioned above. In this case not only is the quantity of indigo oxidized much greater
than with a smaller portion of acid, but the prejudicial effect of organic matter is also greater
than when the smaller quantity of acid is employed.
An indigo solution standardized as above is strictly to be used for a solution of nitrate of
the strength employed during the standardization. The quantity of indigo oxidized in
proportion to the nitric acid present diminishes as the nitrate solution becomes more dilute.
Instead of determining this during each series of experiments it may be estimated once for all
and a table of corrections used.
The following table is based upon experimental determinations:
 Strength of Indigo Difference Nitrogen Difference Difference in the
niter solution required, between corresponding between the nitrogen values for a
used. cubic amounts of to one cubic nitrogen difference of one cubic
centimeters. indigo, cubic centimeter of values, gram. centimeter in the
centimeters. indigo, gram. amount of indigo, gram.
⁸⁄₆₄ Normal 10.00 0.000035000
⁷⁄₆₄ „ 8.71 1.29 0.000035161 0.000000161 0.000000125
⁶⁄₆₄ „ 7.43 1.28 0.000035330 0.000000169 0.000000132
⁵⁄₆₄ „ 6.14 1.29 0.000035627 0.000000298 0.000000231
⁴⁄₆₄ „ 4.86 1.28 0.000036008 0.000000381 0.000000298
³⁄₆₄ „ 3.57 1.29 0.000036763 0.000000756 0.000000586
²⁄₆₄ „ 2.29 1.28 0.000038209 0.000001445 0.000001129
¹⁄₆₄ „ 1.00 1.29 0.000043750 0.000005541 0.000004295

The table is used as follows:

Suppose that twenty cubic centimeters of water under examination have required 5.36
cubic centimeters of indigo solution for the oxidation of the nitric acid contained therein. By
inspection of the table it is seen that this number is five-tenths cubic centimeter above the
nearest quantity given; viz., 4.86 cubic centimeters. From the last column in the table it is
found that the correction for five-tenths cubic centimeter of indigo solution is 0.000000149
cubic centimeter, being half that for the one cubic centimeter given in the table. This is to be
subtracted from the unit value in nitrogen given in the first “gram” column of the table; viz.,
0.000036008. It is thus seen that the 5.86 cubic centimeters of indigo solution are
equivalent to 0.000035859 gram of nitrogen per cubic centimeter. The water under
examination, therefore, contains nine and six-tenths parts of nitrogen as nitric acid per
million.
Attention must also be paid in standardizing indigo solutions to the initial temperature of
the solutions. A rise in the initial temperature will be attended by a diminution in the
quantity of indigo oxidized. Experiments with a room temperature of 10° and a room
temperature of 20°, being the initial temperatures of the experiments, showed that at the
higher temperature the amount of indigo consumed was about five per cent less when the
strong solutions of nitrate were employed. The indigo solution should, therefore, be
standardized at the same temperature at which the determinations are made.
If twenty cubic centimeters of the standard nitrate solution employed be used in setting the
indigo solution, this standard will enable the operator to determine nitric acid up to 17.5
parts of nitrogen per million in water or soil extracts.
The presence of an abundance of chlorids in the water under examination tends to
diminish the content of nitric acid found, and also tends to introduce an error, which is
sometimes of a plus and sometimes of a minus quantity, according to the strength of the
nitric acid present. The reaction is shortened in weak solutions by the presence of chlorids,
and the quantity of indigo consumed is consequently increased. The error introduced by
chlorids is usually of an insignificant nature.
On account of the interference of organic matters with the reaction of indigo it is not of
much use in the examination of nitrates washed out of soils, although in some cases the
results may be quite accurate. This method must, therefore, be considered as applicable, in
general, to waters or soil extracts which contain little or no organic matter.
In analytical work pertaining particularly to agriculture, the use of the indigo method for
determining nitric acid has been largely employed, both in the analyses of soil extracts and
drainage and irrigation waters. The method, however, can hardly survive as an important one
in such work in competition with more modern and speedy processes of analysis.
 DETERMINATION OF NITRIC NITROGEN BY REDUCTION
TO AMMONIA.
480. Classification of Methods.—When nitrogen is present in a highly oxidized state,
e. g., as nitric acid, it may be quickly and accurately estimated by reduction to ammonia. This
action is effected by the reducing power of nascent hydrogen, and this substance may be
secured in the active state by the action of an acid or alkali on a metal, or by means of an
electric current. The processes depending on the use of a finely divided metal in the presence
of an acid or alkali have come into general use within a few years, and are now employed
generally instead of the more elaborate estimations depending on the use of copper oxid or
indigo.
The typical reaction which takes place in all cases is represented by the following equation:
2HNO₃ + 8H₂ = 2NH₃ + 6H₂O.
The method will be considered under three heads; viz., 1. Reduction in an alkaline solution;
2. Reduction in an acid solution; 3. Reduction by means of an electric current.
In the first class of processes the reduction and distillation may go on together. In the
second class the reduction is accomplished first and the distillation effected afterwards, with
the addition of an alkali. In the third class of operations the reduction is accomplished by
means of an electric current and the ammonia subsequently obtained by distillation, or
determined by nesslerizing. These processes may be applied to rain and drainage waters, and
to soil extracts. On account of the ease with which the analyses are accomplished, the short
time required and the accuracy of the results, the reduction methods for nitrates have already
commended themselves to analysts, and are quite likely to supersede all others for practical
use where weighable quantities of nitrates are present. For the minute traces of nitrates
found in rain and drainage waters, and in some soil extracts, the reduction method may also
be applied, but in these cases the ammonia which is formed must be determined by
colorimetry (nesslerizing) and not by distillation. The processes about to be described are
especially applicable to the examination of soils and waters rich in nitrates.
 REDUCTION IN ALKALINE SOLUTIONS.
481. Provisional Method of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.
[308]
—
Extraction of the Nitrates.—Place one kilogram of the dried soil, calculated to water-free
substance, on a percolator of glass or tin. Moisten the soil thoroughly with pure distilled
water, and allow to stand for half an hour. Add fresh portions of pure distilled water until the
filtrate secured amounts to one liter. If the first filtrate be cloudy before use it may be
refiltered.
Qualitative Test for Nitrates.—Evaporate five cubic centimeters of the soil extract in a
porcelain crucible, having first dissolved a small quantity of pure brucin sulfate therein.
When dry, add to the residue a drop of concentrated sulfuric acid free of nitrates. If the
nitrate calculated as potassium nitrate does not exceed the two-thousandth part of a
milligram only a pink color will be developed; with the three-thousandth part of a milligram a
pink color with reddish lines; with the four-thousandth part of a milligram a reddish color;
with the five-thousandth part of a milligram a distinct red color.
Estimation of the Nitrates.—Evaporate 100 cubic centimeters of the soil extract to dryness
on a steam-bath. Dissolve the soluble portions of the residue in 100 cubic centimeters of
ammonia-free distilled water, filtering out any insoluble residue. Place the solution in a flask,
add ten cubic centimeters of sodium amalgam, stopper the flask with a valve which will
permit the escape of hydrogen, and allow to stand in a cool room for twenty-four hours. Add
fifty cubic centimeters of milk of lime and titrate the ammonia produced by distillation, with
standard acid and estimate as nitrogen pentoxid. Where the amount of ammonia is small,
nesslerizing may be substituted for titration.
Preparation of Sodium Amalgam.—Place 100 cubic centimeters of mercury in a flask of
half a liter capacity; warm until paraffin will remain melted over the surface; drop
successively in the paraffin-covered mercury, pieces of metallic sodium of the size of a pea
until 6.75 grams have united with the mercury. The amalgam contains then 0.5 per cent of
metallic sodium and may be preserved indefinitely under the covering of paraffin.
482. Method of the Experiment Station at Möckern.[309]—The principle of this
reaction is based on the reducing action exercised by nascent hydrogen on a nitrate, the
hydrogen being generated by the action of soda-lye on a mixture of zinc dust and finely
divided iron.
Ten grams of nitrate are dissolved in 500 cubic centimeters of water. Of this solution
twenty-five cubic centimeters, corresponding to one-half gram, are placed in a distillation
flask of about 400 cubic centimeters capacity, 120 cubic centimeters of water added, and
about five grams of well-washed and dried zinc dust and an equal weight of reduced iron. To
the solution are added eighty cubic centimeters of soda-lye of 32° B. The flask is then
connected with the condensing apparatus and the distillation carried on synchronously with
the reduction, the ammonia being collected in twenty cubic centimeters of titrated sulfuric
acid. The distillation is continued from one to two hours, or until 100 cubic centimeters have
been distilled, and the remaining sulfuric acid is titrated in the usual way. Soil extracts and
sewage waters should be concentrated until they have approximately the proportion of
nitrates given above.
483. Method of Devarda.—The inconvenience due to slow action and other causes,
arising from the use of pure metals in the reduction of nitrates to ammonia, has been
overcome, to some extent, by Devarda, by use of an alloy, in a state of fine powder, consisting
of aluminum, copper, and zinc.[310] The alloy consists of forty-five per cent of aluminum, fifty
per cent of copper, and five per cent of zinc. In dissolving, the copper is left in a finely divided
state, which is a great help in distillation in preventing bumping.
The analytical process is carried out as follows: The solution containing the nitrate, in
quantity equivalent to about one-half gram of potassium nitrate, is placed in a flask having a
capacity of about one liter, and diluted with sixty cubic centimeters of water and five cubic
centimeters of alcohol, and then forty cubic centimeters of caustic potash solution added of
specific gravity one and three-tenths. From two to two and one-half grams of the alloy,
described above, are introduced, and the flask attached to a condenser with a receiver
containing standard acid. The connection between the flask and the condenser is made by
means of a tube having on the limb next the flask a bulb filled with glass beads to prevent the
contents of the flask splashing over into the receiver, and on the other limb another bulb to
prevent the acid in the receiver finding its way into the distillation flask, should regurgitation
occur. When the flask has been thus connected with the condenser it is gently heated for half
an hour, at the end of which time the evolution of hydrogen will have slackened or ceased,
and then the distillation is begun, at first cautiously, until the zinc of the alloy has completely
dissolved, and then more vigorously, the time necessary being about twenty minutes from the
time when the contents of the flask begin to boil. The distillate is caught in standard acid and
the ammonia determined by backward titration in the ordinary way. It is to be noted that the
strength of the alkali used is of importance, as if it be too strong, the action on the alloy is
unduly vigorous at the beginning of the operation, and if too weak, the contents of the flask
have to be heated overmuch, the result in both cases being the formation of a fine spray of
caustic solution, which is very difficult to stop, even with complicated washing attachments to
the distilling flask. The test analyses on pure nitrates are satisfactory. This method has been
used with satisfaction in the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, but does not appear
to have any special advantage over the process of Ulsch, to be described further on.
484. Variation of Stoklassa.—Stoklassa has subjected the method of Devarda to a
comparative test with the following methods:[311]
1. Wagner’s Schloesing-Grandeau method.
2. Lunge’s nitrometer method.
3. Stutzer’s method.

Figure 85. Stoklassa’s Nitric Acid Apparatus.

 The reduction takes place in a copper erlenmeyer, A, Fig. 85, in which, in addition to the
solution containing the nitrate, are placed 200 cubic centimeters of water, forty cubic
centimeters of potassium hydroxid solution of 33° B., five cubic centimeters of alcohol, and
finally two and one-half grams of the finely powdered Devarda alloy. The distillate passes
through a tube, B, filled with glass pearls and into the condenser D, through the bulbs, C C′.
After the flask is connected with the distilling apparatus, it is gently warmed and the
reduction is ended in about twenty minutes. The ammonia which is formed is then distilled
into E, containing the standard acid, S, requiring about twenty minutes more. The
comparative results given, show that the Devarda method is equally as accurate as any of the
other methods mentioned, giving practically theoretical results.
In so far, however, as speed of an analysis, is concerned the first place is awarded to the
Lunge nitrometer method, with which a complete analysis can be made in from thirty to forty
minutes. In the second rank, so far as speed is concerned, the Devarda method is
recommended. All the methods give accurate results.
485. Method of Sievert.[312]—Two grams of potassium or sodium nitrate are dissolved
and made up to 1,000 cubic centimeters. Fifty cubic centimeters of the solution are placed in
a 600 cubic centimeter flask and diluted with fifty cubic centimeters of water, and from
eighteen to twenty grams of caustic alkali added. After the alkali is dissolved, seventy-five
cubic centimeters of ninety-six per cent alcohol are added and a few pieces of bone-black to
prevent foaming. From ten to fifteen grams of zinc or iron dust are then added to the flask
which is closed and connected with a ᥩ tube holding about 200 cubic centimeters, which
contains about ten cubic centimeters of normal sulfuric acid. This ᥩ tube is kept cool by
being immersed in water. The whole mixture is now allowed to stand for three or four hours
and then the alcohol is distilled slowly and the ammonia formed by the reduction of the
nitrates is carried over with it. The distillation lasts for about two hours. The contents of the
ᥩ tube are carefully rinsed into a dish and the excess of sulfuric acid titrated with one-fourth
normal soda-lye.
For soil extracts and substances containing unknown quantities of nitric acid, a
preliminary test will indicate approximately the amount thereof, and this will be an
indication for the quantity to be used in the analysis.
The method of Stutzer differs from the foregoing in the substitution of aluminum dust
instead of iron or zinc.[313] The reducing power of aluminum, however, varies greatly
according to the method in which the metal has been prepared. Pure aluminum prepared by
the electric method, reduces the nitric acid much less vigorously than the metal prepared by
the older methods of fusion with sodium. For this reason the method of Stutzer is not to be
preferred to that of Sievert.
 REDUCTION IN AN ACID SOLUTION.
486. Variation of the Sodium Amalgam Process.—This method is described by
Monnier and Auriol.[314]
The principle of the operation depends on the reduction of
the dissolved nitrate by titrated sodium amalgam in
presence of an acid, and the estimation of the quantity of
nitric acid present from the deficit in the volume of
hydrogen. The apparatus employed is conveniently mounted
as shown in Fig. 86. The brass vessel A is movable by means
of the cord on the pulley B, in such a way as to be fixed at
any required altitude. It is filled with water and connected
by a rubber tube to the cooling tube D. Within the cooling
tube there is a graduated cylinder open at its lower end. Its
upper end is connected directly with the apparatus C. The
cooling tube D has a small side tube, c, near its upper end,
by means of which the air can enter or escape when the
position of A is changed. The apparatus C, in which the
reaction takes place, is a glass cylinder. Its upper end is
continuous with the ⟙ tube provided with the stop-cocks a
and b. One arm of the ⟙ permits connection with the
graduated measuring tube by means of a rubber union. The
lower end of C is closed with a large hollow ground-glass
stopper, carrying a small receptacle within, so that it forms
two separate water-tight compartments, open at the top.
The sodium amalgam is prepared as follows:
In a clay crucible are heated 400 grams of mercury, and,
little by little, with constant stirring, four grams of dry
Figure 86. Variation of the sodium are added. When cold, the amalgam is placed in a
Sodium Amalgam Process.
burette, having a ground-glass stopper, and covered with
petroleum. The strength of the amalgam is established in the
following manner. A small glass thimble, ground even at the top, is filled with the amalgam
and struck off even with a ground-glass straight edge. In this way the same quantity of
amalgam is taken for each test. This measured portion of the amalgam is placed in the inner
vessel of the glass stopper to C. Ten cubic centimeters of water, containing sixty centigrams of
tartaric acid, are placed on the outer ring of the glass stopper, which is then inserted, well
oiled, in C, closing it air- and water-tight. The tartaric acid solution also carries a piece of
litmus paper, so that its constant acidity may be insured. The vessel A is then fixed in a
position which brings the water in the graduated burette and tube D exactly to the 0 mark.
The cock a is next closed, b opened, and C is inverted until all the amalgam is poured into the
solution of tartaric acid. The evolved hydrogen mixed with the air contained in the apparatus,
is passed into the graduated burette. After fifteen minutes, the reaction is ended. The water
level within and without the graduated tube is restored and the volume of gas evolved noted
and reduced by the usual tables to 0° and 760 millimeters pressure of the barometer.
An amalgam prepared as above will give about three cubic centimeters of hydrogen for
each gram. The thimble should hold from twelve to fifteen grams.
The estimation of nitric acid should be made in a solution containing about one-tenth per
cent of nitrate. Ten cubic centimeters are taken, to which six-tenths gram of tartaric acid is
added, and placed in the outer part of the glass stopper. The rest of the process is conducted
exactly as described above. The deficit in hydrogen is calculated to nitrogen pentoxid.
The reduction by sodium amalgam is not so convenient a form of estimating nitric acid as
many of the other forms of using nascent hydrogen. As practiced by calculating from the
deficit of hydrogen, however, it has some advantages by reason of the fact that no heating is
required. The presence of organic neutral bodies, or even those of an acid nature, like humus,
does not, therefore, interfere with the work. Likewise, mineral bodies in solution, which are
not reduced by nascent hydrogen, do not interfere with the accuracy of the reaction.
487. Method of Schmitt.—In the method of Schmitt forty cubic centimeters of glacial
acetic acid are placed in a flask of 600 cubic centimeters content, and fifteen grams of a
mixture of zinc and iron dust added.[315] To this a quantity of the solution containing the
nitrate, representing about half a gram of the pure nitrate, is added with constant shaking, in
portions which do not evolve hydrogen too rapidly. After about fifteen minutes when the
evolution of nitrogen has somewhat diminished, an additional fifteen grams of the metal dust
are added. If the contents of the flask should become thick they can be diluted with thirty
cubic centimeters of water. The reduction is complete in from thirty to forty minutes. The
contents of the flask are now saturated with enough soda-lye not only to neutralize the excess
of acetic acid, but to keep the zinc hydroxid also in solution. For this purpose about 200 cubic
centimeters of soda-lye of 1.25 specific gravity are necessary. The ammonia is obtained by
distillation into standard acid in the usual way.
488. Method of Ulsch.—In practice the method of Ulsch has come into general use.[316]
For the determination of nitrogen by this method half a gram of saltpeter or four-tenths
gram of sodium nitrate is taken and dissolved in twenty five cubic centimeters of water, in a
flask with a content of about 600 cubic centimeters. Five grams of iron reduced by hydrogen,
and ten cubic centimeters of sulfuric acid diluted with two volumes of water are then added
to the flask. To avoid mechanical losses during the evolution of hydrogen a pear-shaped glass
stopper is hung in the neck of the flask. After the first violent evolution of hydrogen has
passed, the flask is slowly heated until in about four minutes it is brought to a gentle boil. The
boiling is continued for about six minutes when the reduction is complete. About fifty cubic
centimeters of water are then added; also an excess of soda-lye and a few particles of zinc and
the ammonia is distilled and collected in standard acid in the usual way.
The method of Ulsch can also be applied, according to Fricke, to the analysis of nitrates
contained in drinking and drainage waters, and it is regarded by him as one of the best
methods to be employed in such investigations.[317]
The method of Ulsch in this laboratory has given entirely satisfactory results, and is
generally used in preference to other methods in cases where a considerable quantity of
nitrates is present. It is based on the following reactions:

2KNO₃ + H₂SO₄ = K₂SO₄ + 2HNO₃

2HNO₃ + 8H₂ = 2NH₃ + 6H₂O
2NH₃ + H₂SO₄ = (NH₄)₂SO₄.