I sat down in the lone chair under the tent because Cameron was already working away. These were her arrangements now. “It’s not a total waste. I mean, he can get married and everything.”
Cameron shrugged. “Yeah. So that means still a total waste for me.”
I laughed. “So, what on earth are you doing here?”
“You’ve been talking about this stupid party forever. I thought maybe I should come help you out.”
That was the thing about Cameron. She was rude and sarcastic, but she had the biggest heart, and, at the end of the day, was always the first person to help you out in a pinch. “And, don’t worry, I brought a very appropriate dress to wear tonight so as not to embarrass you.”
I laughed. “You wouldn’t embarrass me. I can’t believe you’re staying.”
“Oh, yeah,” she said. “After the number of times I’ve heard the name Laura Anne, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
That night, I scanned the crowd, searching for the leggy blonde who was growing taller, whiter teethed and more regal by the moment. So, when a perky, bordering on shrill voice behind me gasped, “Oh my gosh, you must be Annabelle. Finally!” I expected to have to look up to respond.
You can imagine my surprise—and relief—when I turned to find a girl, barely five feet tall, with a brown bob, embracing me like we were old friends. “Oh my Lord,” she continued, seeming to scarcely stop to take a breath, “that is the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen, and you are the only girl I have ever met who is as beautiful in real life as in her wedding picture.”
I wanted to hate her on principle. I wanted to despise her simply because she had dated my husband, because she had been there first. I’m not one who has ever been much on flattery, but there was something about her face that seemed so honest and open. As much as I didn’t want to, I could see instantly why she was so dearly loved.True beauty was intimidating, but soft, nice-featured cuteness wasn’t a threat to anyone. And I felt myself breathe for the first time since I put on Lovey’s ridiculously tiny dress, realizing that I hadn’t needed to worry all this time. She was really no competition.
An older man I recognized from the club came by, leaned down to kiss her on the cheek and said, “Beautiful job as always, Laura Anne.”
“Oh, thanks,” she replied in that fairy-tale princess voice, “But it was really all Annabelle who put it together.”
It was a nice acknowledgment because it reallywasall Annabelle who had put it together.
Cameron appeared behind Laura Anne’s head and rolled her eyes.
Laura Anne sipped her champagne and said, “Listen, we have been super swamped lately, but Jack and I must, must throw a party for you and Ben.” Before I even had a chance to respond with a polite “thanks, but no thanks,” she said, “I mean, obviously Ben knows everyone already, but all our friends are just dying to welcome you to town. We’re thrilled to have you here!”
I thought she might burst into song right then and there, and I couldn’t fathom in my wildest imagination that Ben had ever been with anyone so... perky. I wanted to say that a party wasn’t necessary, but the truth of the matter was that I had already met everyone in town, and they hadn’t quite taken to me, to put it mildly. As much as I hated it, I needed everyone to know that I was in Laura Anne’s good graces because, as was becoming increasingly clear, that’s what it was going to take for everyone to finally acknowledge that I was Ben Hampton’s wife, not the other woman.
I tried not to laugh as Cameron made a face like she was gagging and then disappeared. A moment later, I felt an arm around my backand turned to feel Ben’s soft lips on my forehead. “So I see you two have met,” Ben said, looking amused. He raised his eyebrows at me as if to say,See why we didn’t work out?
As if on cue, a tall, handsome man in a perfectly fitted tux appeared at Laura Anne’s side and squeezed her shoulder. “Jack,” he said, waiting for me to hold out my hand for him to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
You didn’t have to ask Jack any questions to know everything about him. He had been to prep school and attended college somewhere that money, good looks and partying are as important for acceptance as grades and SAT scores. I caught a glimpse of the oversized diamond on Laura Anne’s tiny finger and wondered if she had already scoped my simple Love band. I wondered if she wished Ben had locked it onherfinger and thrown away the key.
“So, Jack,” Laura Anne said, handing her husband her empty champagne glass, wordlessly defining that she needed more and clearly displaying the power dynamic between the two of them. “I was just telling Annabelle that we’d like to have a little celebration for them.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Ben interjected, but I squeezed his hand.
When Jack said, “Oh, no. We insist,” he didn’t argue again.
All I can say, looking back now, is how deeply I wish I hadn’t squeezed his hand.
Lovey
Old School
One of the most important things a girl can be is a good judge of character. Even now, I can tell in less than a second whether I trust someone. Your eighties are rough on the gait, eyesight, hearing, smelling and tasting, but, somewhere in there, your trust muscle gets worked like a bride by a personal trainer until it’s strong and ready to take on anything—even that size-too-small Vera Wang.
That’s how I knew instantly that I didn’t like the look of that Laura Anne. She seemed sweet enough, sure, but I could tell that underneath that sparkling gymnast exterior was a conniving Real Housewife waiting to get out. But I never had the opportunity to tell Annabelle that because, days after that party, they were already thick as thieves. Taking morning runs, playing weekend tennis, planning couples getaways to the mountains.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen best friends turn outto be the worst enemy a girl can have.Never with Katie Jo and me,I thought, smiling, remembering that I needed to call her the next day.
I felt an arm around my shoulder and heard a voice say, “As lovely as you look, you must have been on the egg and grapefruit diet too.”
I looked up to see a pair of charming dimples wrapped in a gorgeous tux.
