“Only if you let me have one more hour out here,” I said. “I’ll go to the dinner—I just need some more time alone.”
“Okay…” She nodded, and as if she could tell I was struggling with what to do next, she pulled me into her arms.
I sobbed against her chest for far longer than an hour…
* * *
Later that night, I settled into my seat at a long white-clothed table that was set with a fluffy green and ivory rose garland cutting through its center.
Wedding photographers snapped pictures every few minutes, focusing on Chris and Michelle at the far end.
Unfortunately, I was only four seats away from Asher, and his perfect face was far too close for me.
“Would you like another drink, Miss Elizabeth?” A waitress held out a tray of strawberry and orange martinis.
“I’ll take three, thank you.” I grabbed them off her tray and downed them within seconds.
“Asher, Asher, Asher…” a redhead woman squealed across the table.
My eyes darted over to her against my will, and I saw her staring at him like he hung the stars in the sky.
“I can’t believe I keep running into you at this resort,” she said. “Isn’t that a crazy coincidence?”
How? We’re all here for the same reason…
I signaled for the waitress to bring her tray back over.
“I guess,” Asher said. “I haven’t really hung out with the guests much since I’ve been here. Just the wedding party…”
“Exactly, and now I’m seeing you everywhere!” She hugged him. “It’s a sign. Where are you staying?”
“In the villas,” he said.
“I’m close by that area.” She winked. “I have a solo swim-up suite… I’m in number twelve if you want to stop by.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, looking my way.
“Is it too late to be your plus-one?” she asked. “You don’t have someone you’re here with, do you?”
“I don’t,” he said. “Dating isn’t really my thing.”
I can’t believe I slept with you…
“It’s not mine either, so we can totally use each other for the rest of this wedding!”
I looked away from him and downed my new drink.
Then I grabbed the wine glass from the empty place setting next to me and downed that, too—because apparently humiliation went down easier with alcohol.
“Wilma, you and Asher would be amazing together!” some lady—who was definitely not invited to be here—squealed from across the table. “Y’all both have that deep green eye and dimple thing going on.”
“They’ve been hanging out all day today,” another uninvited guest said. “Don’t let them fool you.”
My chest ached, sharp and sudden, like something inside me had finally cracked open—and no matter how hard I tried to pretend, I couldn’t un-feel it.
I pushed back my chair and stood up amid everyone laughing at a joke I didn’t catch.
Slightly wobbling on my heels, I walked to Michelle’s chair at the head of the table.
