“Asher, the gay guy?”
“Technically, he’s not gay,” Danielle says, not meeting my eyes.
“What do you mean, technically? He either is or isn?
?t.”
“That’s not true. There are plenty of bi people in the world, you know.”
I frown. “Is he one of those people?”
“No.”
“Then, what is he doing in our condo?” I hiss.
“He’s a friend.”
“A friend you need to get rid of ASAP if you still want to get married next week.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m still getting married next week. He’s just a good friend.”
“Get rid of him.”
Danielle huffs and then walks back into her room without saying another word to me. I doubt she talks to me for a few days. That’s her usual way of dealing with a fight. She doesn’t speak to me for days. She’s still very much a child. But I’m not ready to be a mother yet. Well, not to any more kids than I already am a makeshift mother to.
* * *
I sit down on my couch with a bowl of popcorn and a glass of wine. I have a chick flick ready to go. I just got back from Danielle’s rehearsal dinner, and I just want to sit here and relax before the chaos of tomorrow starts.
And I remind myself that it is okay that I’m not even close to getting married. Wes is nice, but he’s not the kind of guy I want to marry. Even he knows that.
Danielle bursts through the door just as I’m about to press play on the video.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were staying in a suite at the hotel tonight.”
“I was,” she says through sobs.
I put the bowl of popcorn down as I look up at Danielle, who is soaking wet and sobbing.
“Sweetie, what is wrong?” I ask, getting up and running over to her. “Did Wade do something? Is there something wrong with the wedding? What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head and walks over to the couch. I sit next to her, and she collapses into my lap. My arms automatically go around her.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure things will be better in the morning.”
“No, they won’t.”
“Talk to me then. Tell me what is going on.”
“I slept with him.”
“Who?”
“Asher. And then he dumped me after.”
“What do you mean? What about Wade?”
“I broke up with him before I slept with Asher. The wedding is off. There is no way he will take me back now.”