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"Bailey?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry if I upset you," she said as the smile fell from her face.
I didn't doubt she didn't want to upset me, but hearing those words fall from her mouth had done just that.
"Look, you didn't. I guess it hurts because I have only been with one man since we split, and he's been with an entire town. To be honest, I really don't want to have this conversation anymore. So let’s talk about bigger and better things, okay. What did you need me to do for the wedding?"
She respected my wishes and reached into her purse, pulling out a pink planner, flipping it open to a page scrawled with information.
"Well, I was thinking that perhaps you could help me choose a color scheme and then arrange the seating plan. You are always good with that sort of thing."
I nodded. "Of course. Do we have a guest list?"
"We do. We are keeping it small. You know, basically work people and a few friends and family. I think everyone has been waiting for this wedding, so we are pretty sure everyone will attend. I'm just about finished with the invitations, and I am hoping to get them out today."
"Okay, and what about the wedding party?"
Cara bit her bottom lip and flipped through a few pages, lifting the book up off the table towards her so I couldn't see what was written on the page in front of her.
"We have what you would call a rough list."
"All right, could I see it?" I asked, holding my hand out.
Instead of handing me the book, she dropped it off the edge of the table and down onto her lap. "No, I need to make a few adjustments or two, maybe three, before you see it."
I gave Cara an annoyed look. "Before I see it? What is the problem? Why won't you let me see it? It's a list of names."
"I just told you why. It's just a rough list."
"Cara? A rough list? I don't believe it. You've probably had this list planned for nine and a half years," I said, standing up and reaching for the book, which Cara ripped away and put behind her back.
"You're not seeing it."
"Cara, I know you know who you want in your wedding party. Regardless, if you don't want me to see the list, there is no way I can collaborate with anyone to get anything done. That means no parties, no shower, no nothing. Now show me the book."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because if you don't want to talk about Jackson then you're not going to want to collaborate with the wedding party."
"Why not?"
"Because he's the best man. He's your opposite in the wedding party."
I'm sure my face was filled with shock as I looked over at my friend, who pulled the book from behind her back and flipped to the page in question. It was stupid to say I didn't expect it because I knew full well that he was probably part of the wedding party. Ryan and he had been friends since preschool.
"It's okay. I'm going to have Ryan redo his side," Cara said, dropping the book back onto the table. I glanced down to see my name neatly written beside Jackson's.
"He's the best man?" I swallowed.
Cara nodded. "Like I said, I will have Ryan redo his list. I don't want you to be uncomfortable or to have a hard time. So, we can always just switch one of the others into Jackson's spot. Ryan will understand."
Even though I really didn't want to think about or see Jackson, I was here for their wedding. I needed to figure out how to be able to work with him and put our differences aside.
"Look, Cara, don't," I said, reaching across the table and placing my hand on hers. "I'm here for your wedding. I'm here to help you in whatever way I can, and I won't have Ryan redo his list. I will do my best to put aside my feelings to make your day absolutely amazing."
