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“We were just talking. You wanted me to be friendly,” I say jokingly.
“It didn’t look like just talking,” she accuses. Now’s my chance to come clean, to explain to her I had a one-night stand with some guy that turned out to be Laura’s brother. Maybe we’d have a big laugh and move on, but I know that’s not how this is going to go down. I don’t think Beth would find it funny, especially not hours before she’s about to get married.
At work and with my kid I’m very direct, sometimes to a fault, but anything to do with my emotions makes me uncomfortable. I haven’t been as forthcoming with Beth about things that matter. As much as I want to be open and honest with her, it’s just more than I can handle, and that’s why I don’t tell her about Adrian.
The truth is I like having a secret that only Adrian and I share, something that is just mine, even if it was only for one night.
So I tell her, “It was nothing, Beth.” Shaking my head, even I can feel the lie has taken up the oxygen from the space between us. Whenever Adrian’s near, there is alwayssomethingbetween us.
“I love Laura, and her family has been nothing but welcoming,” Beth says, “so, please don’t do anything that would jeopardize that.”
“I would never do anything to hurt you or Laura,” I say, eyes wide, but I fear the guilty look on my face makes it obvious I already have.
“Then stay away from him,” she pleads. Maybe she doesn’t get the reaction she wants out of me, but then she adds, “Besides, he’s like ten years younger than you.”
“That’s out of line, Beth,” I warn her, ready to stand my ground, but I’ve already had reservations about that. Beth just dug the knife in a little deeper.
“This is my wedding day. Let’s not do this right now,” she sighs as if I’m the one causing problems. I know Beth has been stressed about the wedding and this is terrible timing, so I let it go.
All I can do is nod because the words are stuck in my throat. Beth turns back towards the room leaving me standing there alone. Having an overwhelming need for my kid right now, I grab the door before it closes. “Noelle,” I say, a little too sternly. She swivels towards me, her smile instantly faltering as she sees the look on my face. “Let’s go.”
Noelle slides off the bed and waves to Ashley as she exits the room. Hugging her as soon as the door closes, Noelle asks, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
Putting my arm around her shoulder, I steer her through the courtyard and back to our room. “I just missed you,” I say, pushing out my bottom lip, because it’s the truth.
“You and Aunt Beth are fighting, aren’t you?” she asks, stopping me before we open the door.
“Yeah, but it’s okay. We’ll be okay.” I give her a small comforting smile, because that’s what I do, I make things better.
As soon as I open the door, Georgie flaps her arms in the air. “I know I’m short but I’m not invisible,” she huffs, gathering her stuff.
“God, what happened here? It looks like bridesmaids gone wild.” Noelle scrunches up her nose while picking up an empty wine bottle from the dresser.
“We’re getting ready in here,” I tell Georgie, ignoring Noelle’s question.
By the look on Georgie’s face, she knows something’s wrong but she lets it go, knowing I’ll tell her about it later and not in front of Noelle.
Starting the shower, I pull my dress out of the bag and hang it up on the outside of the bathroom door. The steam should help with any wrinkles.
Georgie runs her fingers over the soft pink chiffon material. “Too bad it’s not blue,” she says.
“Don’t get me started,” I say, before closing the door.
11
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
Rolling Stone by Lainey Wilson
“Do I look okay?” Laura asks for the hundredth time as she looks at her reflection in the mirror.
“You look stunning,” I say, standing behind her.
She’s wearing a mermaid style silk dress with an open back. Her blonde hair is piled on top with curls that fall down her neck. Florina is constantly fussing with the dress, pulling the material out so it doesn’t wrinkle. Her sister, Ianna, is taking pictures with her phone while her kids race around the room, and Ana waddles around the room, her baby bump looking beautiful in the pale pink bridesmaid dress.
Even though the a/c is cranked up, I’m already sweating. The afternoon sun on the walk over to the church across the street from the hotel was uncomfortable.
“Where’s Noelle?” Ianna asks, taking a break from pictures as she fluffs her hair in the mirror.
