Page 60 of Implode

When I met Ethan through the Entice database, he was looking to even the score as Deena started dating again. Looking back, I was a pawn in his game all along. He was using me to make her jealous. Either way, I didn’t mean to him what I thought he meant to me.

“Thanks for meeting me here today,” I say softly. “Angie is so excited to marry Graham, and I doubt she is able to sleep well from all of the excitement. She is going to make a lovely bride.”

“That is for sure,” Donna agrees. “So, the rehearsal dinner is the job of the groom’s family to throw, and as maid of honor, I thought we could make sure we are on the same page with all of the selections I need to finalize.”

Relief rushes over me that Donna thinks this is primarily her idea. This meeting may go easier than I thought.

“Angie has given me some ideas on what she is looking for. I think her style is very understated but elegant, if that makes sense. She is not an over-the-top person and dislikes being center stage. I am excited she is even having a wedding and not running off to elope on some island.”

Donna nods and smiles as I talk. She is going to be the best mother-in-law for my bestie. Angie lost her mom at a young age and later lost her brother to a tragic car accident that almost claimed her life too. Maybe we have bonded all of these years over not having a mom. Granted, my mom is alive but needs reminders that I even exist. We are two very different people, from very different backgrounds, who somehow have been heartbroken enough to know our friendship is special.

The waitress brings us out samples of food and dessert to try out so that it is easier to make the final decisions on what menu will be offered.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” Donna says, catching me off guard. “A girl as exquisite as you can wear any shade on the color palette, especially with your perfect complexion.”

Tears well up in my eyes over her compliment.

“Oh dear, what did I say?” she quickly asks, handing me a cloth napkin to dab at my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I really shouldn’t—”

“No, no,” I say, blowing my nose into the fabric. “It’s just that I had a really shitty month and”—I furrow my brow as I think of the right words to say—“hearing anything that isn’t an insult has been hard for me. I think I just got used to others who should love me seeing me as less. So, when someone who is basically a stranger tells me I am pretty, it just brings all of these emotions up like a volcano. I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” Donna says, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. “Always look toward the sun.”

My eyes smile with my mouth, and I nod my head. “That’smymotto.”

“It’s a good one. I’ve heard Angie use it a few times and asked her about the origin.”

I clear my throat and tuck my emotions into the back of my heart. I need to push through and do what I came here to do. “Okay, back to business. Let’s give Angie the best damn wedding on the planet.”

“Now that deserves a toast. Two mimosas, please,” Donna announces to a waitress who is not even assigned to us.

“Oh, I’m on a strict diet if I want any dress to fit,” I mutter, trying to come across as bummed.

“One extra-large mimosa, please!” She leans into me and whispers, “I bought my dresses bigger just so I can indulge on an occasion like this.”

I laugh as I relax into my role. I can tell that Donna’s heart is good and her intentions are pure when it comes to Angie. She isn’t trying to steal the spotlight. She is just trying to give Angie the dream wedding. Thing is, though, with Angieless is more.

I glance out at the boats floating down the river. This venue is amazing, but I am not sure it is quite what Angie is looking for, and with the event date approaching, we don’t have much room for making adjustments to the original plan.

“You have something on your mind,” Donna says, drawing my attention back to her.

I shrug.

“Say it, please,” she coaxes.

“I know Angie. She isn’t into the crazily priced cost-per-head that this place probably is.”

“Money is no object when it comes to Graham and his fiancée. If it ends up being too pricey, he will cover any added expense. He has made that clear, multiple times.”

I nod. “Yeah, I get that and all. But I think Angie’s vision is more elegant but simple.” I open up my mini vision board and show Donna some of the ideas that I have. “I know it isn’t really my place to make this type of suggestion, but I think Angie would prefer to have this final dinner before the big wedding day at some place more intimate.”

“Like where?” Donna asks, intrigued.

“Maybe in Hillsboro, where Graham grew up. Perhaps your home? We could get it catered by some place locally and hire wait staff to help with the serving of the food.”

Donna mulls the idea around in her head, and then the biggest smile breaks out across her entire face. “It’s the perfect idea. Let’s do it.”

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