Page 61 of Bridesmaid to Bride

“Over by the cabana.” I watch as he nods and sets off on his task. I turn back to my centerpieces, my mind racing. We’ve been fighting our attraction for years, and it’s for good reason. It wasn’t because the stars were misaligned or Mercury was in retrograde. It’s because our responsibilities are worlds apart—his in Georgia, saving sex toys from extinction, and mine in a New York skyscraper.

When the hotel staff, the caterers, and the Bridesmaid to Bride crews arrive to this private dining patio, it’s mayhem, but the kind that’s controlled, so it feels good to be knocking this out. And as always, West and I are back to making a great team, even with the big, awful thing hanging between us. I let him know what the situation with Kat is, and he offers to stay and talk to her with us, which I’m grateful for.

When Kat arrives, the clink of cutlery against porcelain fills the air as the hotel staff sets the tables. They serve our lunch, and I spear a rogue strawberry from my salad, trying to appear casual. West is beside me, demolishing his ham sandwich with a focus that suggests he’s starved, like always.

Skye swirls her mimosa. “Kat, dear,” she says in that airy-fairy voice of hers, “tell us the story of how you and Neil met.”

The question hangs.

Kat flashes a disarming smile. “It’s quite simple, really.” She tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “I ran into Neil at the country club. We got to talking, one thing led to another, and here we are.”

“The country club, huh?” I stab another berry. “Quite the hotspot.”

“Absolutely. It’s where all the best connections happen.” She sounds like she’s narrating a dating-service commercial.

“Connections—like with Zach?” Skye’s tone has bite.

Kat’s smile falters but recovers quickly. “Oh, that was ages ago. A nothing-burger fling, really.”

I nearly choke. “You were together for almost a year.”

West raises a brow. “A nothing-burger that you didn’t take well when it ended.”

She waves a wrist in the air. “I was hurt at first but got over it fast. He was right for ending it—we weren’t meant to be.”

I exhale. “You expect us to believe that you dated Zach and then just happened to start dating my dad, the father of the bride, right before Zach’s wedding?”

“Yeah, kind of.” She shrugs.

“Let’s cut to it, Kat.” Skye swirls her drink again, this time not at all playful. “Neil never mentioned you. Didn’t even RSVP you a spot.”

“Ah, well, you know men.” Kat deflects with a chuckle that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Right…” I draw out the word. “Well, I hope you understand this whole situation is a bit awkward for Paige. It’s her big day, after all.”

“Of course I do,” Kat blurts, too quickly. “And I want nothing but happiness for her and Zach.”

I raise a skeptical eyebrow. “Good to hear.”

We continue to nibble at our meals, the tension diffused but still present. I catch West’s eyes for a moment, and there’s a silent agreement between us: Operation Get-To-Know-Kat isn’t over.

“Look, Kat.” I lean in. “Paige has been crying over this. Saturday is supposed to be about her marrying the love of her life, and there’s just so many questions about why you’re here. It’s not fair to her.”

“It’s not fair to Zach either,” West adds.

“Look. I’m really sorry.” Kat’s fingers nervously circle the rim of her water glass. “I didn’t think they’d even care.”

“Then why not give anyone a head’s up?” Skye goes in for the kill.

I rake a hand through my hair, frustration simmering as I watch Kat’s expression crumble like those pupcakes.

“Okay, so I feel awful about this.” Kat’s voice quivers like a violin string. “Neil was just so excited for you and Paige to meet me. He’s been like a kid with a crush. Honestly, I have too.” She looks away, and when she returns her gaze, she reaches across the table as if she could bridge the gap between us with a touch. “Seriously, Eva. There’s nothing between Zach and me anymore. And I told Paige I’m not leaving because Neil and I—well, we’re in love.”

I stifle a gasp. The L-word? Already? No way.

Skye drums her fingers against the tabletop. “If that’s true, why didn’t anyone know you were coming to the wedding?”

“Because,” she trails off, clearing her throat. “Neil was scared. He knows about my past with Zach. He was afraid if he told Paige everything, she’d say I couldn’t come. And he really wants me here.”

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