Page 27 of That Secret Something

Rebecca caught my eye, standing behind her sister. Her burgundy shirt and straight-cut blue jeans gave off effortless, cool vibes. But it was the colour choice that made my heart stutter. Had she worn it on purpose? To make me think of her suit on prom night? And did she always have to look so bloody attractive?

Our eyes met, and for a few seconds, everything else drifted away. Sally’s voice pulled me back, but I still felt Rebecca’s gaze lingering.

“I’m sorry I’ve been emotional today, Lily. I didn’t mean to steal your thunder. I was just worried you were forgetting me, that’s all. I realise that was silly now.”

Mum strolled towards the group, wearing her beige slacks and her favourite black North Face T-shirt. I couldn’t imagine her ever getting this worked up over me getting married. Not that I even knew if I wanted that. Still, it would be nice to know she cared.

When Sally and Lily had finished hugging, Rebecca piped up, “We ready for round two, then?”

Rebecca and I had not had much time to speak. Not alone, anyway. Thinking of the conversation to be had later tightened the knots in my stomach. Could I really tell her how I felt? What would she say?

Stop thinking about it. I blew out a breath and checked my watch. We had two minutes until our appointment. “Rebecca’s right, everyone. Let’s not be late.”

“You heard her,” Rebecca said. “Rebecca is always right.”

“Well, that’s not quite what I said.”

Rebecca led the way up the front steps, turning to cast a wink in my direction. I tried to calm the simmers bubbling inside, but as we stepped into Lacey’s Blushing Bridalwear, they only heightened.

Erica Lundwood stood in a beautiful white wedding gown, admiring herself in the mirror. Lily and Erica had never got along in school, a rivalry that’d started from a student council election. Safe to say when Erica won by a marginal vote—which Lily, of course, declared to be unjust—Lily wanted to one-up her at all costs. They’d clashed at birthday parties, sports days, Katie Clarkson’s Bat Mitzvah, where hair was pulled and clothes were torn. They’d even entered the same profession and applied for the same jobs. Lily claimed to have the higher hand now since landing the job at her current dental practice.

The tension shifted in the air. The annoyance Lily had felt towards her mum was now directed towards the other bride-to-be.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Erica cooed. “What a small world.”

“Small world indeed.” Lily gritted her teeth, the vein in her head already beginning to engorge.

Thankfully, a smiley woman named Helen greeted us and took us through to an adjoining room, far away from Erica Lundwood. When Helen nipped out to get another glass for the prosecco, Lily paced the room, fuming.

“Of all the places. Of all the times to run into her. Why today? Why does it have to be today?”

“It’s okay, Lilz. Just forget about her.”

Rebecca’s attempt at defusing the situation was met with a deathly glare.

“Forget about her? Like that’s such an easy thing to do when she’s been a constant pain in my arse for years.”

I can relate to that.

Erica’s loud cackle rumbled through the walls, and Lily growled. It seemed comforting the Lawsons was my top priority for today. I placed my hands on her to stop her pacing and forced myself to meet her gaze. She unnerved me when she was in one of these moods.

“Lily, this is about your day. Not hers. Yours and Tyler’s. Take a deep breath in—”

“I’m not doing your voodoo, hippy shite—”

“Lily. Just do it.” I stared her down until she inhaled, blowing her breath back into my face. I turned my cheek away and continued, undeterred. “In. One…two…three.”

“It’s been an emotional day,” Rebecca chimed in. “I think everyone could benefit from some steady breathing. Everyone. In… Out.” Rebecca counted down, and the group followed.

The synchronised expelling of breath in the room was as equally satisfying as it was hilarious. Sally, Shay, and Amy closed their eyes, and even Mum joined in. The ordeal must have taken its toll on her, too. We completed a few rounds before Helen returned, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Wow. This is a first. I’ve never seen a group as calm and collected as you are.” She closed the door softly behind her.

Oh, Helen. You couldn’t be more wrong.

“Who is ready for some bubbles?” Helen beamed a smile full of white teeth at the group, and they moved to claim their glasses.

Let the chaos begin.

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