I nodded along with her.
Josephine faked a laugh. “If I was Jeremy’s mother, I would have been so angry. He could have gotten hurt.”
“Who do you think gave her the fish food?” I muttered, drinking water this time.
“Good ol’ Cypress,” Stevie whispered.
I wondered if she missed it as much as I did. Our small town had sometimes felt like a prison when I was in it, but now that we had left, I could see all its little charms. By accident, I glanced to my right, and for a second, I thought I saw him.
Bash?
It’s just the alcohol.
However, when I saw the blonde woman beside him flip her hair off her shoulder, I stood up.
“Gwe
n?” Stevie stood up beside me. “Are you okay—”
“I have to go.” I gathered up my things as fast as I could, but when I turned to leave, I ran into the server bringing in all of our desserts. The silver platter slipped, pouring all over me before falling to the carpet, and my first instinct was to look up to see if he had seen. I thought he must have moved because I couldn’t see him.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…” I said to her. “I have to go. Sorry, Stevie.”
I ran. I ran as fast as I could, my purse and jacket in hand. My ankle twisted once, but, ignoring it, I just threw myself out the door, the cold air blowing across my face.
“Gwen!”
I didn’t want to look back.
She caught up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. “Gwen, what is it?”
“He’s in there, Stevie. I saw him, he and she—”
“Gwen.” She gripped my sides. “He wasn’t there. It looked like him for a second, but when he looked over after the plates shattered…it wasn’t him.”
“Not him?” I echoed in a whisper.
She shook her head. “No. Come back inside.”
I wanted to smack myself. “I’m so sorry, Stevie.”
“It’s okay, come back inside and let’s order dessert.”
“Look at me, I’m a mess. I’m just going to sit this one out. I don’t want to mess this up any more for you, okay? I’m sorry, please go back in. Your friends are all waiting! This is supposed to be happy, remember? Go be happy. I’m okay, I swear.” It was a lie.
She looked me over.
I forced a smile, giving her a little push. “Go, or I promise I will tell even more embarrassing stories at your wedding. I can even gather photos.”
“I’m going, I’m going.” She lifted her hands and backed up. “Text me later?”
I just nodded and waved, because I knew if I said any more I wouldn't be able to keep it in, and it wasn’t fair to take over her day worse than I already had. When she went in, I turned and walked quickly, trying to use my coat to hide the stains on my dress, wiping the tears from my eyes. God, this sucks. Why am I like this? It wasn’t even him.
Eli
I pressed the close button for the elevator doors when she limped in, heels in her hands and a mess of something all over her blue dress. Her mascara was smeared, and she just stood there as the doors closed and we went up.
“Rough day?” she asked me.