“There’s a bench around back. Why don’t you head back there? I’ll cover for you when Eddie gets here.”
She disappears behind the building, but my anxiety is already kicking into overdrive.
“Are you okay, Poppy?” Mallory questions.
“No, not really. I think this day is only going to get worse.”
“Do you think your sister will come?”
I nod. “Yeah, if she’s not here already.”
“What are you going to say to Eddie when he shows up?”
“The truth. That Amber needed some air and is out back. Hopefully, she stays there and doesn’t run.”
Exactly twenty minutes later, everything turns to shit.
“Heeeey, Seester!” Pippa drunkenly yells, appearing out of nowhere, wearing her bridesmaid dress that’s wrinkled and hanging off her shoulder.
Her hair is a mess of tangles and knots, like she hasn’t brushed it in days, which isn’t like her.
“Where’s our blushing bride?” She looks around obnoxiously. “Don’t tell me she already got cold feet?”
“You shouldn’t be here, Pippa,” I warn, hoping Eddie doesn’t show up next.
“Oh, I definitely need to be here. I’m tonight’s entertainment after all.” She pulls a flask of alcohol from her dress and takes a swig. “I decided you’re right, Poppy. It’s time I tell her just who she’s marrying.”
“Pippa, today’s not the right day.”
“I owe it to our friend, don’t I? She deserves to know the truth before she makes a horrible mistake.”
“Pippa, you should go home.”
She holds a drunken finger up to me and frowns. “Don’t tell me what to do, Poppy. You took her side by being here. Where’s your twin sister loyalty?”
“Pippa, that’s not fair…”
“Isn’t it? You’re choosing that bitch over your own twin. How ridiculous is that?”
“Pippa, please. I’m begging you. Go home before this turns into something it shouldn’t.” I try to grab her arm, but she violently pushes me away.
“Stop protecting her! She deserves to know what a cheating bastard he is. How he plays with girl’s feelings and leads them on. She doesn’t deserve him.”
“Don’t you mean he doesn’t deserve her?” Mallory pipes in.
My sister narrows her eyes. “Shut up, Mallory. Nobody likes you.”
“Pippa, stop it right now!”
She shakes her head. “Not until I get this off my chest. So where is she, Poppy? Don’t make me make a scene.”
I see Eddie pull into the parking lot and I panic. “Okay, she’s in the back. Just don’t ruin her day, please.”
“No promises,” she says sweetly, disappearing behind the building.
“This is gonna be bad,” I blurt out, my anxiety rising.
Mallory nods in agreement. “You could’ve stopped her, you know?”
