She laughs it off and says, “Good game, Cass!”
The use ofCassgrates on me, as does her gracious losing attitude. I try and smile when I say, “Nice effort.” It sounds stiff and arrogant, and Ellis shoots me a disappointed look. It hits me in the chest.
Someone’s phone alarm goes off. “Rehearsal dinner in an hour!” Zachary shouts as he towels himself off at the side of the pool. Everyone disperses quickly.
When we get out of the pool, Daniel drapes a towel around me and pulls it tight under my chin. “Good job, champ.”
I shiver when a breeze hits me. “Likewise.”
“Did you play water polo or something in school?” he asks.
“No!” I laugh as I towel off. “Why?”
“You werementalout there,” he says with a grin. “Real hot-jock energy.”
I know he means it as a compliment, but Ellis’s expression plays back in my mind and I feel low. It’s not like Ireallyhurt Avery, but there was something in there that was spiteful and I know Ellis sensed it. The way he senses everything. The first embers of resentment start burning in me—at having been pressured to come to this wedding when it’s probably a very bad idea. And we have the entire weekend ahead of us.
33
The rehearsal dinner is at a cute Mexican restaurant in town. We sit in a courtyard filled with lights and flowering orange azaleas as the grooms, Max and Curtis, thank us for joining them for their special weekend. The margaritas and sangria flow generously, and a few hilarious toasts are made by friends and family.
Daniel and I are seated with coworkers; it’s relaxed and fun despite the tension from the pool. Maybe it’s only tension between me and Ellis, though, because everyone—including Daniel and Avery—are having a grand ol’ time.
I’m waiting outside the restroom for it to be vacated, when I notice a slew of missed text messages from the Park women group chat.
When are we really meeting Daniel?
Yeah, he hasn’t had Emoni approval yet!
We will plan a dinner when you are both back from the wedding. No more excuses.
Halmoni’s bossy last text doesn’t leave room for arguments. I’ve been putting off this dinner for some reason, even after promising Daniel I would plan it. It makes me feel guilty, this foot-dragging; I’m not even sure why I’m doing it. But I know I’ve got to rip the Band-Aid off sooner or later. I’m about to respond to them when Avery sidles up to me. She’s in a lime-green two-piece that barely covers her butt, and it looks amazing. I smile at her and make the gesture of conciliation that all women understand: “I love that outfit.”
“Thank you!” she says genuinely. “Ilovewhat you’re wearing. So chic.”
I’m in a sheer black maxi skirt, black boy shorts, and white tank. I’ve pulled my hair back into a low knot, which shows off the sapphire hoops in my ears. “Thanks. Nothing like being in your twenties as the ultimate accessory, though,” I say.
“I can’t wait for my twenties to be over, actually,” she says with a sigh. “I feel like, maybe when I turn thirty, I’ll know what the hell I’m doing with my life.” She pulls out a vape pen from her tiny glittery purse.
“At no age do you know what the hell you’re doing,” I say. “But at least when you’re twenty you can have less steps in your skincare routine.”
She giggles. “You’re hilarious.” She takes a drag from her pen then looks at me. “Ellis talks a lot about you.”
I try and keep my expression neutral. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. He was pretty bummed when you started dating Daniel,”she says frankly. “But he gets it, don’t worry. Ellis doesn’t hold grudges.”
“Well, and now he has you,” I say lightly, praying for the bathroom to open up already.
She looks at me oddly. “We’re just friends.”
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to assume…”
“It’s okay.” She tucks the pen back into her bag and pushes her hair behind her ears. “I’m into him but…” She shrugs and looks sad for a moment. The bathroom door does open then, and a sheepish man ducks out.
I shoot Avery a little smile before going in, feeling discomfited by what she’s just told me.
—
