Even I see through her fucking bullshit.
“Oh no,” I grumble, the second we walk through the doors of the spa and see Amber’s mom and Devony and Katie Lyn standing there.
“What’s up?” Mallory questions, following my gaze.
“My sister. That’s what. She invited two girls who hate Amber and her mother to this. Even though I advised her not to.”
Mallory frowns. “Doesn’t Amber not really talk to her mother?”
I nod. “Yup.”
“Well, this isn’t going to be fun, is it?”
I shake my head. “Nope, not at all.”
Amber looks at her feet, shifting uncomfortably when Devony and Katie Lyn look her up and down and scoff. They’ve never liked Amber, mainly because they are Pippa’s friends from college and me and Amber decided not to join their sorority with her. Their campus reputation was not the greatest, and I personally didn’t want to be associated with a bunch of mean girls.
After a very uncomfortable rundown of what we need to do in the clay baths, I settle into one next to Mallory, ready for some much needed relaxation. I try to block out everything else the best I can, only picking up bits and pieces of conversations here and there.
“So, Amber tells me you like to read. Have you ever readOmen House Fiveby JJ Heppicoat?”
Instantly my ears perk up. “Is it out already?”
Mallory nods. “Yup, I just finished reading it. It was such a trip. Have you read the rest of the series?
“Oh my gosh, yes, I absolutely devoured it. I love me a good horror inspired thriller.”
“Me too!” Mallory exclaims brightly, her red hair slightly bouncing.
We continue chattering about the series until I hear Amber laying into Katie Lyn.
“Hey, I get that you two make being a bitch your entire personality, but speak to my mother like that again, and I’ll get them to throw you out,” Amber yells, her voice carrying in the strange, empty room.
Both Mallory and I look over at her at the same time, sharing an equally perplexed look.
Katie Lyn instantly pipes in, “You can’t do that. We were invited by Pippa.”
“Yeah, but you weren’t invited by me. This is my wedding, not hers,” Amber adds, the hatred for them evident in her wavering vocal cords.
“A wedding that should’ve been Pippa’s,” Devony mutters under her breath.
I’m not sure what they were even talking about until Mallory speaks up, trying to break up the hostility. “I always pictured I would have a big, extravagant wedding, too. Maybe not as big as the ones you guys are planning, but one where my dad walks me down the aisle and there’s a whole church full of guests staring at me like I am a queen or something. My mom would be crying, using a Kleenex to blot her eyes, and my dad would have tears of his own as he hands me over to my future husband.”
Amber’s expression changes; somber tears appear in her eyes, her vulnerability showing.
My eyes cut to my sister, who picks up on it and chimes in before I can stop her. “Who’s walking you down the aisle?” Pippa questions.
“Nobody.”
Pippa knows exactly what she’s doing. Amber’s dad passed away a long time ago, and bringing him up messes with her. Pippa’s doing this on purpose. “You can’t walk down the aisle by yourself.”
“Sure, I can. It doesn’t feel right for anyone else to walk me down with my dad being gone.
Amber’s mother hangs her head, wiping a tear from her eye.
Shit, if I don’t say something, this is going to get really bad.
“Where are you going on your honeymoon?” I ask, changing the subject.
