Page 60 of Miss Belief

He chuckled. “Nice word. Let’s just say I’m ready to move on.”

Move on. Meaning what exactly? I wanted to ask, but I was interrupted by the sound of a glass clinking. Evidently, it was time for the toasts, so I’d have to ask him later.

The remainder of the rehearsal dinner went by exceedingly slowly. I blamed Reid’s touch. His palm on my leg, his knee against mine, or his hand holding mine under the table. Since none of them were outwardly affectionate gestures for anyone to see, I was confused as to the meaning of it all.

“Excuse me, I’m off to the ladies’ room.” I made my way to the rear of the spacious Mediterranean restaurant. As I walked into the restroom, I almost laughed out loud at how large it was. In addition to the regular bathroom with floor-to-ceiling stalls and opulent sinks with colorful tiles, there was also a side lounge room with overstuffed sofas. You knew it was fancy when you found a living room in a bathroom. The cotton towels placed by the sink only solidified the impression. This was definitely not a hand dryer kind of joint.

I had to fight the urge to snap a picture and send it to my sister.

After doing my business quickly, I came out of the stall to wash my hands and found Vanessa lying in wait. Frankly, I’d expected the confrontation sooner than this, so I shouldn’t have felt surprised.

She didn’t speak until I turned off the water and dried my hands, all the while effectively ignoring her presence.

“I hope you know Reid always comes back to me. Always.”

I gave her a half shrug. “If that’s the case, then there’s no need to tell me.”

Her beautiful face morphed into a snarl. Huh. Snarling Barbie was not a flattering look.

I took some lip gloss out of my purse and applied it with leisurely strokes, aware the action would demonstrate my indifference to her words. It was a calculated ploy I’d practiced over the years. Never let them see you sweat.

“You’re nothing to him. Just a piece of trash he picked up on the side of the road to try to make me jealous for the weekend.”

“Seems to be working.” My eyes met hers in the mirror and registered the direct shot. If humans could froth at the mouth, I had no doubt she would be doing so now. Frothing Barbie.

“No one wants you here.”

I finally turned around to lean against the granite countertop, popping the cap back on my lip gloss as though I found it more interesting than the conversation. “The man whose bed I sleep in does, and his opinion is all that matters to me.”

I pushed off the edge, intending to walk around her.

But she moved in front of me, crossing her arms across her fake boobs.

This time I didn’t bother to school my voice, letting it reflect my warning. “Move out of the way before I remove you. And believe me when I say you will regret the choice.”

“Only because you’re like an Amazon woman.”

Lame. I’d hoped for something more cutting and creative.

“Middle school called. They want your insult back. By the way, you have red lipstick on your teeth.” I made a motion with my finger toward my front tooth. “Whew, I’ve wanted to tell you all night as I could see it from all the way across the room. You’re welcome.”

“He’ll come back to me. He always does,” were her parting words as I moved past her and let the bathroom door cut them off.

Knowing history had yet to prove her wrong soured my victorious mood.

I pasted on a smile when I returned to the table, but Reid must’ve noticed something was off.

“What’s wrong with the nuts?”

His mixed question combining our code words and what we were trying to avoid dragged a smile from my lips. “Nothing. Nuts are fine.”

Ellen glanced from me to Vanessa, who’d also returned to the table, taking her seat near the bride. “I take it you had a little restroom confrontation?”

I took a sip of my martini. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Reid arched a brow. “Of that I have no doubt.”

After dinner, there were more freaking photographs to be taken of the bridal party. Deciding I wouldn’t spend another minute watching Vanessa gloat as she stood next to Reid, I walked over to the adjacent terrace overlooking the ocean. Although it was dark, the full moon was bright. There was something soothing about the sound of the ocean waves and the warm breeze blowing at the outline of palm trees looming over the beach.