“Yuri was worried,” Kamila said. “I asked around, and the bartender said he saw you leave with Anil while we were playing FMK in the lounge.”
“What’s FMK?” Jana asked.
Asha grinned. “Fuck, marry, kill. By the way, you were voted least murderable in the wedding party because we decided the negative impact to the world would be the greatest if you died. When we moved on to who was the most fuckable, we decided to stop playing with people we knew and focused on prime-time news anchors and FoodTV personalities. Did you know that Kamila has a bit of a Guy Fieri thing?”
Kamila waved her hand. “He’s a champion of small businesses. I like that. But that’s not the point right now. Jana, has your relationship status changed?”
“Since when?”
“Since you left the bar last night with your ex. Is he no longer an ex, and now a current?”
Jana sighed. So much for not speaking about this. “No. He’s not my anything.”
“So you didn’t spend the night in his room?” Shelina asked. “See, Kamila? I knew there had to be an explanation. She was probably—”
“No,” Jana clarified. “Ididspend the night in his room.”
“Oh.” Shelina frowned. “For Imani? Oh my god, is she okay? Were you on the phone with her all night?”
“No. Imani’s fine, as far as I know. Haven’t spoken to her since right after dinner last night.”
Kamila glared at Shelina. “Shelina, I’m trying and failing to guess why you’re attempting to find any explanation possible for Jana to be in Anil’s room other than the obvious—that they were testing out his bedsprings.”
Jana raised a brow.
“Doing a two-person push-up,” Asha suggested.
“Ooh, that’s a good one,” Nicole said, laughing. “I’ve always liked ‘threading the needle.’”
“Filling the cream donut!” Yuriko exclaimed. The rest of the Bridal Brigade all looked at her.
Kamila cringed. “Thanks, Yuri. I’ll never be able to get a Tim Hortons Boston Cream again.” She looked at Jana. “So it’s true, then? You had sex with Anil?”
Jana sighed. “Yes.”
“But you’re not back together?” Nicole asked.
Jana shook her head.
“Was this so you could check off thathook-upitem on your to-do list?” Asha asked.
Jana frowned. “I didn’t even add that item!”
“Yeah, and you did it anyway because you’re such an overachiever,” Kamila snorted.
“Thank you all for your concern,” Jana said, “but this isn’t something I want to talk about right now.”
Kamila slapped Jana’s arm. “Okay, but tell us how to support you! Do we need tohidethis information? Keep the Groom’s Platoon from finding out? Or should we be keeping Anil away from you? Get you out of this country without seeing him? You name it, girl—we’re here for you.”
“You’re not going to askwhyI slept with him? Or ask for…details?”
Kamila shook her head. “No. Of course not. You don’t want to talk about it, so we won’t talk about it. I wouldn’t say no to details, because I’ve always wondered about him. I assume he’s generous but an absolutebeastin bed. But one-night stands can be awkward. Especially with an ex-whatever-you-two-are. You’re a brigade member. We got you. Tell us what to do to make this easier for you.”
Jana wanted to be upset that the whole brigade had barged in on her like this…but they were being supportive. It felt good to have them on her side.
But she had no idea how to make this easier. “Nothing. Don’t do anything. Don’t tell anyone, don’t speculate, don’t try to influence anyone. I stepped into this mess, so I’ll figure out how to deal with it.”
“Okay. Sounds good. Ladies, we’re going to support Jana by giving her the space she needs to work out her interpersonal problems. Now, eat up so we can go pack. Our bus to Arusha will be here in a few hours.”
