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And throughout everything, Brooklyn grumbled.
I knew her to be a grouch in the morning on a good day, but on this day, it was unmatched—and out of character, even for her. Especially for an event that she had a hand in planning. Though, as I looked around our brunch spot, it was hard to imagine that Brooklyn picked this place.
Her complaints were varied and numerous.The temperature in this limo is frigid,she had muttered. Then, when the driver turned up the heat, it wasoppressive.When we got to our flight and settled into our seats, she complained that the seat was too hard. Then, the vent was blowing in her face. And the egg in her eggs Benedict was too runny. And the flight seemed crowded—even though we had plenty of space, and I was her only seatmate.
Mack, ever the gracious host, attempted to ignore her, but a vein stood out on her forehead every time Brooklyn complained. Estelle was less gracious and sighed loudly every time Brooklyn lodged another jab atthis tired-ass trope of a bachelorette party. At one point, Estelle raised an eyebrow and interrupted Brooklyn’s diatribe with, “Didn’t you plan all this? So if it sucks, that’s on you.”
From there on out, Brooklyn was quieter about her complaints.
Her bad mood was wearing on me, too. I felt the low energy of the group as a whole, made steadily worse by Brooklyn’s slew of complaints. My teeth clenched as I worried that everyone wasn’t getting along. While Estelle and Mack seemed to like each other—I overheard them exchanging makeup tips—there was anus vs. hervibe when it came to Brooklyn. Though she brought it on herself, Brooklyn was on the outskirts of our little group of four.
And it was barely into the first day.
As Estelle and Mack exchanged glances, I turned to Brooklyn. “Can we talk? Outside?” I asked quietly.
“Not sure what we have to talk about,” Brooklyn said, ignoring my quiet voice and using her voice at regular volume.
I straightened my shoulders, pulling firmness from a deeply hidden well within me. “It wasn’t really a request,” I said coolly. “Now, please.”
With a huff, Brooklyn pushed her chair back and headed toward the front of the restaurant. I caught up to her when she was outside.
“This feels like déjà vu,” Brooklyn remarked once she turned around. Her smirk was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Something in me snapped.
“What the fuck is your problem, Brooklyn?” I thundered. “We’re in the Hamptons, at a bachelorette party thatyou planned, and you have nothing but complaints!”
“When I planned it, I didn’t realize how shitty it would be.” She crossed her arms, assuming a defensive position. “Besides, I had to plan something you’d actually show up to, now that your tastes have changed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She gestured at my outfit. “Look at you! Pearls around your neck? High heels? Expensive jeans? What happened to the woman who used to put her hair in a bun and call it a day? The one who had so many cardigans, she never repeated them over a month’s span?”
I frowned. “So all this is about my wardrobe?”
“Don’t be obtuse, Ciara. You know this isnotjust about your wardrobe.” She looked away. “You’vechanged. Hanging out with Mackenzie and her rich friends all the time, marrying Nathan, changing your clothing style for them…it’s all part of the problem. I just didn’t expect you to bethatperson.”
“And what person is that?”
“Someone who would change for a man.”
My head snapped back as if she had slapped me. “What?”
“You heard me.” She gestured wildly, her voice rising with every word. “All this started when you met Nathan. You meet him and then what, after a week, you’re engaged? It doesn’t sit right with me. You were never this person before him. You always said you wanted the chance to get to know the man you would marry, that you’d be in a relationship foryearsbefore you even considered it. And if I recall, when I would go on my tangents about people with money, you didn’t necessarily disagree. So what? Nathan changed all that?”
“Yes, he did.” I couldn’t help the exasperation in my voice. My heart raced from the anxiety of fighting with my best friend, but I also felt a slow, burning anger in my chest. Because who did she think she was, really?
“I don’t think you’re upset that I changed,” I continued, my voice reaching the same volume as hers. “I think you’re mad because I changed in a way that you didn’t approve of first.”
“That’s ridiculous—”
“It’s not, actually,” I shot back. “I think you’re worried about being left behind, and I get that, I do. But people change sometimes, Brooklyn. People evolve. And I’m sorry that you don’t like—or approve—of my choices, but it’s not up to you.Ihave to live this life, not you. And I’m perfectly content with Nathan and all of the things about me. Maybe you should take a look at yourself and see if you are, too.”
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “Listen, I don’t wanna fight,” I said quietly. “Lyn, you’re my best friend. We’ve been through it all together—my dad’s depression, my aunt’s death, everything. I love you, and I want you by my side on my wedding day. But I can’t allow you to completely derail what’s supposed to be one of the most life-changing events of my life. So when you’re ready—ifyou’re ready—I’d love for you to come back inside and have fun with us. If not, I understand if you want to leave.”
“Are you uninviting me?” Though her voice was sharp, Brooklyn’s eyes betrayed the vulnerability in her question. She almost looked like she was going to cry, which was unlike her.
I softened some more. “No, not uninviting you,” I said. “I want you there. Ineedyou there. You’re the closest thing I have to a sister, and I couldn’t imagine going through all this without you.
“But I’m giving you a choice, a new path. You can choose, you know, to rise above whatever’s festering within. You can choose to be my maid of honor and have a good time. I hope you make the right choice.”
