Yep, she was still a bitch.
I swiveled around in my chair and met Jessica's stare head-on. She was still as beautiful today as she was in high school. Her figure was tiny, and she was wearing a short, tight red dress—not exactly business attire.
"I'm back for Amelia's wedding."
She gave a short bark of laughter, "Well, I hardly doubt that you're here for the reunion," she purred, glancing at her manicured nails. "I wouldn't think you had any pleasant memories to reminisce."
I flinched, unprepared for her to go for the jugular so soon. Jessica touched my shoulder lightly with her red, long, clawed nails. My shoulder itched to shove her off.
"Only joking, love!" She seemed to take delight in my red face. "You know how kids are. We were only messing with you. I'm so sorry!" Her tone was syrupy-sweet.
I tilted my head as I drummed my fingers on the armrest. "What are you sorry for?"
Her red mouth pursed open and her eyes flickered to the side, surprised at my candor. She smoothed a silky strand of blonde hair behind one ear. "Uh, what do you mean?" Her laugh was nervous.
I flicked my hand in a rolling gesture. "What are you sorry for?" I repeated. "Spreading rumors that I was sleeping with half the boys in our year? Cutting up my bra and clothes after gym? Or shoving me repeatedly into the bathroom sink?"
An uncomfortable smile painted her mouth, and her eyes darted to check if anyone was listening. "Well, that was years ago, darling. Gosh! You can't still be holding a grudge?" Her tone was low now that I was replying in kind to her.
I shook my head. I wasn't playing this game. I stood up and brushed off the excess hairs on my shoulders, neck, and emerald green dress. I caught Jessica's gaze in the mirror, and she quickly schooled her features into an indifferent mask. But not before I caught the look of envy when she raked my dress from head to toe.
"I hear Harrison's the Best Man," she continued.
"Hmm." I grabbed my bag and put it over my shoulder. I was ready to get out of here.
"Have you spoken to him since you've been back?" Her voice was nonchalant, but I could spy a calculated gleam in her eye.
"Yes." I wasn't going to make small talk with her.
Another flash of annoyance entered her face as she scrutinized my expression. When she realized that I was not giving her any crumbs, she continued. "I see himallthe time," she stressed.
"Oh?" I answered disinterestedly. Privately, I wondered if they were dating or still hooking up. I then cursed myself for caring. I didn't.
"Yeah, I own this salon, but I don't actually work here."Then why are you here now?I snidely thought.
"I'm the cheerleading coach at Ashburton High."
Of course she fucking is.
"So you can imagine how close we are, being that he also coaches the football team. He told you that, didn't he?"
"He may have mentioned it the few times we've met up. But we had other moreimportantthings to discuss." Okay, that was a little bitchy, but I couldn't help wanting to bring her down a peg or two.
"Oh, so you chat often?" She watched me closely.
"We're the Best Man and Maid of Honor," I simply stated. "And if you'll excuse me, I have to find my party. We have a dinner booked in thirty minutes." With that, I walked off, leaving Jessica no doubt seething after me.
Dinner was a raucous and hilarious affair. I had booked a set menu at Gina's Italian Kitchen, and we all welcomed the chance to line our stomachs with fine Italian fare.
Once we all had our fill, it was a short walk down Main Street to O'Ryan's, the popular local watering hole. There were two establishments frequented by locals and tourists alike, where one could have a meal and a drink in a social atmosphere.
Reign and Pour was more of a lounge slash cocktail bar. It was popular with the professional crowd as a meeting point with clients or a destresser after a long day in the office. It usually played mellow jazz music and had fancy top-end liquor on its shelves. Who would be buying them, I didn't know, but it was more of a statement piece than anything.
Then there was O'Ryans. It was an Irish bar with a beer garden at the back. It was where you would go for a good night out. They had a live band every Friday and Saturday night and a good mix of music playing in between. The drinks were cheap, the bartenders and waitresses friendly, and the atmosphere was always fun or "good craic," as Liam would say—a nod to his Irish roots.
It was also where you would go if you were after a casual hookup. Summer was hunting season for Ashburton residents. No one wanted to sleep with a local only to continuously bump into them at the local grocers.
I watched in amusement as Amelia walked through the doors of O'Ryan, her hands in the air, yelling, "I'm getting married!" Cheers sounded from inside the bar, the locals quite enamored with the popular teacher marrying her high school sweetheart.
