Jessica fucking Abbott. Like a bad penny, she just kept turning up.
"What are you doing here?" She patted her hair, not even bothering to acknowledge me. Maybe my green dress acted like a camouflage.
A gentleman, who I recognized as Jonathan Grant, stood behind her. He was twenty years older than us, and I recalled him working in insurance. When I lived here, he had been married with kids, but by the looks of his suit and tie and Jessica's little black dress, he was either having a very public affair, or he and his wife had split.
"Hey, Jessica. I'm here on a date."
Her eyes widened in surprise before narrowing to focus on me with calculated concentration. Her cold blue gaze took in my appearance, and I forced myself not to cower under her withering inspection. Her red-painted mouth twisted in malice before it was replaced by a bright, airy smile.
"Why, Grace. Isn't thiscute!" She really needed to practice that fake Southern fawning. Needed less acerbity.
"Jessica," I greeted flatly. Poor Jonathan looked increasingly uncomfortable, so I gave him a small wave.
"Hey, Mr Grant."
Yes, I called him Mr Grant to be bitchy at Jessica. Although I did feel a little bad that he was in the crosshairs of a clearly strained situation.
"So you're on a date, huh? First date, or has this been going for a while?" Her shrewd eyes bounced between the two of us.
Harrison raised a brow at me, clearly indicating that the ball was in my court.
"Well, you know. We've been working closely together, what with the wedding and reunion."
"Reunion?" She turned to Harrison with a sharp stare. "She's been helping you with the reunion?"
My eyes sparkled as I grinned at Harrison. "Helpingis a strong word. I've just been sitting there in a stuffy school hall while he regaled me with tales of his debauched college days."
Harrison laughed, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "That's not true. I heard you're also making a pretty sweet centerpiece made of cups."
I covered my mouth as I giggled, remembering our previous text exchange. "No, no, I'm making an ice sculpture and paper cup hats for everyone to wear."
Harrison slapped his head and chuckled. "Oh, right, right."
Jessica's brow pulled down at our bantering. "That doesn't really fit the theme."
"It's just a running joke we have, Jessica," Harrison explained.
"Oh." She eyed him suspiciously. "I thought you told me you had enough people to help you with the reunion?"
Uh, oh.
"I did, but then Amelia pulled out towards the end. So Amelia volunteered Grace's services."
"And I'm sure she justjumpedat the chance." She was no longer hiding her disdain.
"Actually, Amelia had to beg me into it. As you told me at the salon, I probably didn't have many good memories." I gave her a sardonic smile.I am not the one, bitch.
Harrison's head swiveled sharply. "Yousaidthat?"
She gave a strained laugh before Jonathan stepped forward to grasp her elbow, muttering that their table was free. I could see our waitress, Zara, hovering in the background, waiting to serve our table.
"Darling, I was joking. Remember how we used to joke with Grace back in the day?"
"I remember both of us bullying Grace to the point of abuse. Something that I apologized for, including James."
A pink hue climbed her cheeks. She lifted her chin with a dismissive sniff. "Well, I don't remember it that way. But if you were hurt, Gracie," she spat out, "then I apologize if you felt that way."
That patronizing little bitch. Just like I didn't care for an apology from Dee, I definitely didn't need one from this stuck-up little–
