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Ariel is absolutely mortified. I can tell from the way her shoulders droop. I want to hug her but I know I must smell terrible. And I’m not sure she wants a hug from me.
Liam was engaged. He was in love. There was another woman who captured his heart.
And then she died and he never got over it. Which makes me, what? His Jenny?
She’s a fine woman but she’ll never replace your mom. She was the love of my life.
Of course she was. For a moment I see Liam, years younger and carefree, kissing a bride who’s staring up at him adoringly.
A bride who isn’t me. The woman who broke him so badly he couldn’t commit again.
Until he met me and realized we were compatible and maybe that was enough.
Oh God, I’m going to be sick again.
“Sophie?”
“I just…”
I want to cry. I want to hide. I want to be at home.
I want my mom.
More than anything, I don’t want to be here. I can’t think. It’s like my head is full of thick, wiry wool. I consider banging it against the wall.
“You’re freaking me out,” Ariel whispers.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, forcing myself to smile. “I didn’t mean to scare you. There’s just this important thing happening at work and they need me to help with it.”
She nods as though she understands. “You work at a TV station, right?”
“Yes,” I tell her. “In West Virginia. I need to go there now.”
“It’s a Saturday night.” She frowns.
“I know, but it’s open twenty-four-seven. And if I get back now I might be able to sort out this problem they’re having.” I have to get out of here. I can’t let them see me break down. I hardly know his family, they’ll all think I’m a drama queen.
Maybe I am.
“Haven’t you been drinking?”
No, thank God. “I had a mimosa about four hours ago but that’s it.” I take her hand. “The thing is, I need your help.”
“What can I do?” she asks me.
“I need you to not tell Liam about this. Or that I’ve gone. Not until the party is over. He’ll want to come with me and that’s not fair to Linda.” Or he’ll want to stop me from going at all and I can’t deal with that now.
I can’t deal with him, more to the point.
“I don’t know…” She pulls at her skirt. “I don’t want to lie to him.”
“I get that.” I nod quickly. “I’ll write him a note. You can give it to him when the party ends. I’ll explain that it isn’t your fault.”
She looks hugely uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I wish you hadn’t come down here.”
“I shouldn’t have told you about Marie,” she whispers. “It’s not my place.”
