But I’m not going to fight with Kate about it right now, especially if it’s one of Jessica’s stupid plots to control a narrative that’s not her own.
So instead, I let out a breath and face my sister again, trying to remain as calm as I possibly can. “That’s something you should’ve conveyed to us before we spent all this time and money preparing the entire freaking menu, Kate.”
“I’m pretty sure that I did.”
I swear I’m seeing red at this point. I raise a hand and pinch the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut. “No, you definitely didn’t because we would’ve accommodated that.”
“Oh, so now it’s my fault that you were the one who ruined my shower?”
“Ruined? Do you think this whole thing is ruined because you didn’t tell me that you’re suddenly not eating gluten out of some crazy diet pushed onto you bya so-called friend?”
“I had to eat a salad, and now I can’t even have the dessert at my own bridal shower, so yes I do consider it ruined,” she says, completely ignoring the jab about Jessica. Kate pauses to look around the room. “And where is the champagne tower?”
Now I’m clenching my teeth, curling my fingers into fists to keep myself from lashing out at her. “The what?
She throws her head back and groans like I’m the most annoying creature she’s ever interacted with. “The champagne tower.”
“Yeah, I heard you. I was just giving you a chance to correct yourself, because there’s no way you would’ve expected us to read your mind and know you wanted achampagne towerfor this.”
“Well, I had one at my engagement party, so I don’t think that was such a far-fetched idea to expect it here too.”
I clench my jaw, desperately trying to figure out where this new side of Kate came from, and if I really want to call her out on it today of all days.
It’s her day, I remind myself.Call her out next week, but just leave it be for now.
“I am not a mind reader, Kate. I didn’t know that was an expectation.”
Plus, it could’ve been an expectation communicated to literally anyone else in the bridal party.
Kate tilts her head back to look at the ceiling. I swear I see tears glistening in her eyes and I’m not sure if she’s actually going to cry right now or if she’s putting on her stage tears for this. “I’m not asking you to be a mind reader, Jane. I’m asking you to know what your baby sister wants.”
“Maybe you should ask your twin sister,” I finally snap. “Aren’t you two supposed to be mind readers? She’s your maid of honor anyways. Shouldn’t she have doneanythingto help here?”
“Lydiawashelpful. Who do you think went with me to pick out the perfect dress and shoes? And she bought me this necklace. And she dropped off a dress foryou.”
“Wow, helpful Lydia. Taking you shopping and buying you a piece of jewelry to make up for the fact that she didn’t doanythingtoday. I planned the date, the venue, the menu, the decorations, the games.” I flick up a finger for each item, revealing an open palm. I lift my other hand and continue. “I set everything up. I made all the reservations.”
“And it was so close to perfect.” She gestures to the table.
I let out a sarcastic laugh, using my open hand to rub at my forehead. “I worked really hard to make this a special day for you and it feels like nothing was good enough.”
Shesighs and grabs a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. That, at least, we thought of. Not a tower of champagne, but we still planned to have people serve it to her directly. But, as always, it’s not enough. “Just do better next time. Like the bachelorette party! You can make it up to me then.”
She touches my shoulder in a gesture I’m sure is supposed to be a consolation, but instead it feels condescending. Kate’s eyes flick up over my shoulder and a smile touches her lips. She lifts her hand off my shoulder to wave at whoever it is. “Okay, well, thanks for trying I guess. I gotta go.”
And with that she walks off, a replica of my favorite heels clicking with each step. I stare down at the hours of hard work, a pit forming in my stomach. All that time spent for her to not even touch anything.
I suck in a breath to keep the anger at bay. Then another when I feel the lump starting to form in my throat. And one more when the tears start burning in my eyes. I look around the room, at all I planned and prepared and worked for, just to be told it’s disappointing.
I work so hard to make my family happy for reactions like this, and it’s really starting to get to me. I watch as Kate immediately sidles up to Lydia, talking animatedly as she points to everything. Lydia pulls her twin in for a hug. Jason appears and consoles her. Jessica comes running across the room to join the group hug, and it’s another punch to my chest.
I find Elise and Charlie across the room, smiling as they talk to my parents. And here I stand, alone and close to tears. As usual.
I need to get out of here. Immediately. They won’t miss my absence anyway. I did what I needed to do today. Apparently not well, but still. The allegedly mediocre job is done.
Downing the rest of my champagne, I deposit the glass and grab my purse and slip out of the room, leaving my family to enjoy the rest of the party I planned without me.
Chapter 14
