Page 23 of Destroying My Ex

I also know that she was chomping at the bit to see who had more power than she did in her town. Who was able to snatch her favorite table from out under her so effortlessly.

The second call, when I was five minutes away, was to let me know that my guests had arrived and were all being seated. These were my friends from high school and college, some of whom would be in my bridal party, though they don’t know it yet.

I’d chosen my Rolls today because it matched my dress. It’s one of my graduation gifts from my maternal grandparents. The Rolex Datejust, with the green face and blinding diamonds, was from my paternal grands. They were both being represented today.

The diamond necklace and studs were from Mom and, of course, my ring. I looked and smelled rich, and I knew it. I knew heads would turn when I walked in, which was my aim anyway.

I heard the whispers as soon as I walked in and saw the look of anger and dread on Lacey’s face. I looked at her table of friends just long enough for them to recall where they’d seen me before, and though it had been a while, I was sure they’d catch on sooner or later.

At my table, my girls were smiling and waving me over; at her table, there were whispers, ‘Isn’t that your sister? Damn, she looks hot.’ Yes, please do compare and let dear little sissy know how lacking she is. You can’t buy class as she and her mother has been proving in these parts for almost a quarter of a century.

I ignored the stares from her friends and sat with mine. “Okay, you sounded very suss on the phone; what gives? What’s the big news?” I didn’t answer my friend Anise, just waved my hand under their noses.

The screams and screeches were appreciated, but the questions were what did it for me. “Who? Is this the guy you were in Europe with for the past four summers?”

“Why won’t you let us meet him? This ring is to die for.”

“When are we going to meet him? What was his name again?” That was all I needed her to hear, and I was sure her ears were peeled to what was going on at my table before I shushed my friends and leaned in close to whisper to them.

She could have no idea what I was saying to them, but I’m sure she’d heard the words Italy and summer, and even though she’s not too bright, I bet her mind was working overtime, fitting the pieces together.

Her friends were of no help since they kept staring at me and asking her questions. The staff, which I had been told has been disparaged by her on more than one occasion, were pleasant and cheerful as they served us, and I in return, treated them like humans. And since I don’t surround myself with degenerates, all the people at my table did the same.

Another round of whispers started among the staff, this time, about how different the two of us were, which led to the whispers that she was not, in fact, related to those Sinclairs since my grandparents had been here and claimed me as their only grandchild.

All of this had been planned and orchestrated by me in advance, along with a hefty tip for the staff’s troubles. It pays to be nice to the people who serve you in any capacity, something Lacey never learned because she learned her manners from her mother, who, in my estimation, is a cross between a barracuda and a hyena.

Her friends, who didn’t seem to leave high school behind, were the ones ragging on her, which only intensified her embarrassment. I finally looked over at her and looked her dead in the face. There were no words said, but for someone as dense as she is, I’m pretty sure she got the picture.

There’s a new ‘It’ girl in town, and it’s not you.

* * *

LACEY

* * *

“I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.”

“Lacey, stop and talk to me. What happened?”

“Mom, it was horrible.”

“What? Didn’t you go to that little bistro you and your friends like? Was there a problem with the food?”

I told her everything. Starting with the disrespect I felt from the staff upon arrival. They know I like that table, I’m the only one who sits there on my day. How could they give it to her?

And why did they show her and her friends so much preferential treatment when I have to practically beg to be noticed? “And get this, my grandparents went there with her the other day and told everyone that she was their only granddaughter.”

“How do you know that? It could be a lie. I don’t think that’s the kind of place your grandmother would go to.”

“It’s the truth; I heard the staff talking and laughing about it. Now, I feel like a fool. How can I ever show my face there again?”

“Calm down, let me think.”

“What’s there to think about? You’ve got to do something. You have to make Dad get them to accept me. I want the things she has; why should she get spoiled by them while I get nothing? Not even a card for my birthday.”

I ran upstairs and tore off the clothes I was wearing. Clothes that were fashionable and in, but not as fashionable as the dress that bitch was wearing. Everyone was going on and on about how beautiful she looked, even my friends, and then there was the ring. She has one that can be seen from across the parking lot while my finger is bare because Grayson claims he wants to have one made.

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