“I think I love him,” she declares.
I give her a death stare. “You wait until my wedding day to tell me?” In one day I’m losing my best friend and my relationship, the money I spent on this stupid wedding, and perhaps my sanity. “You’ve ruined everything!”
Dad rushes out and hands me my bag. “Where are you going?” he asks with a deep frown.
I shake my head. I can’t talk anymore or I’ll cry, so I turn, ignoring the murmurs behind me. My heart is pounding as I run and get into the limousine, slamming the door behind me. Only then do I let the tears fall. I wasn’t going to give Kayla the satisfaction of seeing me crying.
“Where would you like to go, ma’am?” the driver asks cautiously.
Where can I go? I’m staying here at a hotel with Tyler, family, and friends. If I go home, Tyler might turn up. I can’t see his face right now. I can’t go to my parents; I don’t think I can deal with anyone else’s emotions as my life crashes down around me. I’m in a town I’m not too familiar with. I wanted to get married here in Crown Village because it’s a seaside town.
“The closest bar,” I choke out.
My hands flop on my knees, over the layers of my big, puffy wedding dress. I’m going to stand out wearing this, but rightnow I don’t have a choice. I need a drink to ease the pain of betrayal by the two people I thought were closest to me. The thought churns in my mind, making me question everything I thought I knew.
More tears fall as my heart aches. I can’t hold it in any longer, and I sob. Acidic tears fall hard and fast, and my chest heaves as I continue to cry. My heart is shattered.
My phone buzzes continuously with calls, messages, notifications, but I can’t bear to talk to anyone. I turn it off and stare out the window, watching the blur of houses pass by until the car finally slows to a stop.
The driver turns to me. “We’re here. This is a hotel, but it has a bar, restaurant, and entertainment area.”
“Thank you,” I manage, my voice hoarse.
He clears his throat. “So, I assume you don’t need my services anymore?”
“You would be correct.” I pull out the small mirror from my bag and wipe my eyes with a tissue. They’re red, and my face is splotchy. “Just give me a minute.” I take a moment to settle down. I wait until my face doesn’t look like I just came from a funeral, even though it feels like I have.
I step out in front of the hotel. I hesitate at the entrance, my hand hovering over the door handle, but I force myself to push it open. Head down, I walk past reception, a bustling hall where a function seems to be in full swing, and a restaurant filled with the hum of conversation. I keep walking, looking around. “Jesus Christ, where’s the bar?” I mutter under my breath, my heels clicking against the floor.
Finally I spot it. Bartenders are serving customers from behind a wooden bar. The crowd is a mix of people. A few are leaning against the bar, but most others are sitting in tight groups at high-top tables.
I pull out a stool. “Stupid dress,” I grumble, gathering up the fabric of the giant skirt and plopping down. Whispers ripple around me, but I keep my gaze fixed on the counter, avoiding eye contact.
“Congratulations,” the bartender says.
I push past the tightness in my throat. “No... it didn’t work out.” My voice is flat, the words bitter on my tongue.Catastrophewould be a better word, and that’s putting it mildly.
He cringes. “I’m sorry about that. What can I get you?”
“Fruit tingle—a double.”
He gives me a look of understanding. “Coming right up.”
I slip the engagement ring off my finger. I’m a jeweler, and I poured so many hours into that ring. Now it feels like a cruel joke. I sniffle and can’t stop the few tears that roll down my cheeks, but I quickly wipe them away before anyone notices.
The bartender places the drink in front of me. “Here, ma’am. The first one’s on the house.”
I smile at him, grateful for his kindness. “Thank you.” I bring the cold drink to my lips and gulp it all down until only ice remains in the glass. It’s sweet and refreshing, but nowhere near enough. I slide the glass back to him. “I’ll take another.”
He doesn’t hesitate. I smash that one too and request another because there’s still a strong ache in my chest.
What I don’t understand is Tyler. How can he say he loves me one night but cheat on me with my best friend the next? That’s not love. My stomach is in knots as I replay the last few years. I can’t believe I was so blindsided. I thought I was lucky that my best friend and partner got along so well. My cheeks heat with embarrassment.
My family, friends, and everyone in my hometown are going to find out the truth. I’m going to be the clueless woman who didn’t see it. Did anyone else know? I rub my chest. They waited for the worst possible time to tell me, embarrassing me like that.Why didn’t Tyler just leave me and go be with her? Why let it get to my wedding day? I wasted so many years with him. The air-conditioning is cool inside the bar area, but I just feel cold... all the way to my broken heart.
A chair scrapes beside me and a deep voice cuts through my thoughts. “I’ll take a beer,” the man says to the bartender. “And another drink for the bride.”
Please don’t talk to me. Please don’t talk to me.
