AllFreeNovel
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I’d been assigned to a table of random friends of Archie’s from the restaurant. It felt like the right placement for me, a person who had no clear role in his life anymore. Even if I was hurting inside, I made sure to keep a permasmile on my face, so no one could see through me.
Aside from waving at me when he’d spotted me in the church, Archie and I hadn’t communicated at all. They didn’t do a receiving line after the ceremony. Instead, the happy couple was whisked off to take pictures until they reemerged at the reception.
I made it through the meal, making small talk with the people at my table. I’d also survived Archie and Mariah’s first dance. The moment I lost it, however, was when Archie and his mom danced. I wasn’t sure Nora knew what was going on. That was the only moment I’d deemed worth my tears today.
A little while after dinner, I headed to the bathroom for a breather, but when I entered,
Mariah was trying to squeeze out of a bathroom stall, impeded by the size of her massive ballgown.
If I could’ve walked back out without her noticing me, I would have. But she spotted me right away. Commence fake smile. “Hey, Mariah.”
“Hi, Noelle.” She looked at my outfit. “I love your dress! It’s so…flowery.”
I looked down at myself. “Thank you.”
“Are you having a good time?”
If you count wanting to vomit every half hour and obsessive counting a good time, sure. “This wedding was…perfect,” I told her. “Truly. And you look absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
She finally got free and made her way over to the mirror. She ran her hand along her brown hair before rubbing a bit of smeared mascara off her eye. “I know you’re very important to Archie.”
“Well…he’s important to me, too,” I told her, resisting the urge to flee.
“I have a confession.” She turned to face me. “When Archie and I first met, I felt a little threatened by you.”
Get me out of here. My heart began to race. “Oh… That’s silly.”
“I mean, I guess it’s natural to be jealous of your boyfriend’s female best friend.” She smiled. “Especially when she’s as pretty as you.”
“Aw, well…” I looked down at my Pepto-Bismol pink heels.
“I don’t feel that way anymore,” she clarified. “I’m much more confident about everything now.”
Well, yeah, you trapped him, so…
Ugh. I couldn’t help my thoughts. “Good.” I smiled.
Nod and smile.
Nod and smile.
“I hope we can be friends, too,” she said.
Nod and smile.
“I would love that.”
One…two…three…
She looked around to make sure no one was listening. “He told me he let you know about…” She lowered her voice. “Our baby.”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
Four…five…six…
“We just found out it’s a girl.”
Wow. I willed myself not to fall over. “Really…”
“Yeah. I told him not to say anything to anyone yet. But I’m just so excited.”
“That’s…amazing.” My chest constricted. “So amazing.”
“Well, I’d better get back out there. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” She left before I could tell another lie.
A moment later, I exited the bathroom in search of some air. Archie was having a baby girl. He was already a dad. My Archie. A mix of joy and pain overtook me as tears welled in my eyes. I’d finally reached my breaking point.
I’d just stepped outside onto the veranda when I heard his voice behind me.
“Noelle?”
I turned and tried my best to put on another fake smile. “Hey.”
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said.
“I’m sorry. I needed some air. My allergies have been acting up.”
“Do you need something? I’m sure somebody here has something you can take.”
“No.” I sniffled. “I have…some stuff at the hotel.”
“I haven’t had a second to talk to you.”
“Well, you’re in high demand today.” He looked so handsome in his white tux that I had to look away for a moment.
“What did you think of everything? I had nothing to do with the planning, but…”
“Everything was perfect. Truly. And I’m so honored to be here.”
“It means everything to me that you are.” His expression turned serious. “But I wish you’d be honest with me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t have allergies, Noelle. I’ve known you for a long time, and you’ve never once mentioned fucking allergies.”
Shit. “You got me.” I wiped the corners of my eyes, feeling ashamed. “I just got a little emotional, that’s all.” I looked up at the darkening sky. “I ran into Mariah in the bathroom, and she told me you guys are having a girl.”
“Oh…okay.” He scratched his chin. “She did, huh? She told me I couldn’t tell anyone, and she ended up telling you. That’s interesting. I kind of wish she hadn’t done that. I wanted to tell you myself.”
“It doesn’t matter. The news is still amazing.” I patted his arm. “Congratulations, Daddy. I can’t believe you’re gonna have a daughter.”
