Ignore the fact that Kitty paid for everything for youand subsidized the bachelorette party because she knows you’rebroke. When you get out of debt, you can gether back. And if you ever get married . . .
I fought back tears, sniffing as Kitty peeked around the curtain.
“Annie? Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just feel a sneeze coming on,” I said, looking at the low lighting above me to induce a sneeze that didn’t exist.
“Your allergies bad? It’s not even fall yet!” Kitty said. “Come on. Let’s get you relaxed.”
Twenty minutes later, I was in a private tub, soaking in the famous mineral waters, wondering if anyone would be able to tell I cried the whole session. What the hell had I been thinking, inviting the guy I was having an affair with to this wedding? Being involved with him in the first place? I put my job at risk with all of it. How could I ever think he’d choose me over the woman he married? I didn’t have money like she did. I just had a good set of volleyball records and a law degree.
The tears mainly came because I realized how low I’d let my self-worth go. Why did I even stick around as long as I did? Was I that desperate? Not only did I have an affair with a married man, but when I told him I was bi, he’d asked if maybe I’d want to do a three-way with his wife. If I’d introduced the idea, fine, I guess, but it was so glaringly obvious that he was fetishizing me. How did I not see that red flag?
Why was I first in everything I didexceptlove?
But it was all behind me. Sort of. I’d never told Kitty that it was an affair, making her believe he was just a normal boyfriend. And now, to keep up appearances, I had to withhold all details because it was Kitty’s wedding weekend and I had to keep things drama-free.
“Ready for your shower and spray?” came a cheerful voice from behind me.
“Oh, sure!” I said brightly, wiping my tears.
She lowered her voice as she held out my robe for me to stepinto. “Happens to a lot of people, dear. The waters take it out of you sometimes. The spray’ll blast all the bad out of you.”
I gave a soft laugh. “Spray away, then.”
After I was showered, sprayed, massaged, and showered again, all the girls sat in our robes getting our nails done.
“Don’t forget that your dresses are peach, ladies,” Kitty said. “Plan the nails accordingly.”
“I don’t think we could forget,” Tania said. “You only emphasized peach four hundred times when we were picking our dresses.”
“But you’ll all look so beautiful in them,” Kitty said with an overzealous smile.
“Save your flattery,” Violet laughed, then shivered. “I’m here even though you’re making me see Colton again.”
Kitty raised her eyebrows. “Aw, come on, Vi. He’s grown up a lot. It could be your magical reunion.”
“Doubtful,” Violet scoffed. “He was only ever good in the sheets.”
“Is there some sort of alchemy with these hockey players?” I asked. “I’m the only person here who hasn’t dipped into that pool.”
“And me,” Tania added.
“I smell love in the air at this wedding,” Kitty sang.
“There’s love in the air just because it’s a weekend away from our kid,” Mel said. “I know that makes me sound like a bad mom.”
Tania waved a freshly manicured hand. “Nah. I bet kids take it out of ya.”
“I mean, I’m really glad you guys are getting married!” Mel added to Kitty.
“We wanted everyone to relax. I’m glad we’re here a day early so we can just be together. We’ll have all morning and afternoon tomorrow too. The boys are going golfing in the morning, so we can hit the pool.” Kitty took a lingering look at me. “You can golf with the boys if you want, Annie. I know you love it.”
“Oh, no way. I’m here for you, Kitty. I can golf anywhere. Youonly marry that hunky French hockey-playing boy once.”
She giggled. “Do you still have my first crazy texts saved?”
“Sure do. I have plans for those this weekend,” I said with a grin. “Miss ‘Claiming Dibs.’”
