Page 59 of It Could Happen
“I need to pull myself together,” she continues, a heaviness in her tone. “I can do this. I can do this.”
I rub her back. “Do you want me to talk to Caroline for you?”
She grabs my hand. “No. Please don’t say anything yet. I’m going to tell her after the shower.”
She takes a few breaths and looks at her phone.
“The girls should be here any minute. Can you greet while I run to the restroom?”
“Of course.”
She hurries down the hall while I sit in a chair outside the ballroom entrance. Obviously, she doesn’t know about Rachel. That’s when everything is going to collapse. Oh well, I can’t do anything now other than focus on being the dutiful bridesmaid.
“Tori,” Caroline squeals.
I look up to see her and her mother walking toward me.
“You look gorgeous,” she exclaims. “I love your dress.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
Caroline looks so chic in her knee-length white dress, a hat tipped back, and white stiletto boots.
“Hello, darlin’,” Mrs. Carlisle says, giving me air kisses. “I’m positively tickled that you’re a part of my girl’s day.”
Hearing her accent makes me smile. Charlotte Carlisle looks like she could be Caroline’s twin sister. How does she look younger than she did at our college graduation a few years ago? I have no doubt she’s had some assistance in this area.
“I’m so honored that she asked me to be part of the wedding.”
“Hellooo,” Leslie calls, interrupting us.
We all turn around to see her carrying two huge shopping bags. She’s wearing a light pink, cropped sweater and a white pencil skirt. Her red hair is perfectly straight.
“Char, I’m so happy to see you.” She drops her bags and gives Mrs. Carlisle a big hug.
I stand back while they exchange greetings. I say hi to Leslie, and she gives me an icy hello in return. She plasters a fake smile on her face so it’s not as obvious, but I don’t think she’s fooling anyone.
“Let’s get this party started,” Leslie announces. “Where’s Erica? I thought she’d be here running the show.”
“She’s here,” I say quickly. “I think she went to the restroom.”
Caroline, Charlotte, Leslie, and I all move to the ballroom. As soon as I step inside, I’m met with an overwhelming scent of floral, which makes sense because the room is filled with large pink and white floral arrangements. Each table is covered with pink linen, with a stunning bouquet of flowers in the center. There are small favor boxes at each seat, and everything looks as perfectly pink as I expected it would.
“Wow,” I breathe.
I glance at Caroline, who’s already fanning her face to control her tears from escaping. Leslie and Charlotte each lean in to hug her. A few seconds later, Erica makes her grand entrance, and I’m amazed at how well she’s pulled herself together. She’s done a very good job of hiding any trace of tears, but luckily if she needs to cry, she can use Caroline as an excuse.
“Welcome, everyone,” she announces. She looks so confident that I’d never guess she just found out her boyfriend had betrayed her. She gives Caroline and Charlotte hugs and links her arm with Caroline’s to show her around the room. I trail behind them because I’m in awe. I’ve never seen a charcuterie table like this one. The attention to detail with the foods interwoven with greenery and flowers is nothing short of amazing. It almost looks too pretty to eat—almost.
Jeannie is the next to arrive, and it’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen her. Her bump has grown a bit, and it looks like she’s carrying a small basketball under her shirt. Honestly, I keep forgetting that she’s in the bridal party, but lucky for her, she gets to stay clear of the drama.
Guests begin to fill the room, and so far there’s no sign of Rachel. I’m guessing Christian informed her that Erica knows about his infidelity. Maybe she’s scared to show her face? Erica pulls Jeannie, Leslie, and me into a group huddle and gives us instructions. She wants us to greet the guests, ask them how they know Caroline, and introduce ourselves. I’m not sure the guests care who I am, but I don’t tell her this. She needs a win today.
Just as I finish chatting with Caroline’s yoga instructor, Rachel rushes in. She’s visibly frazzled.
“Nice of you to show up,” Leslie snaps. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Rachel gives her a dirty look. “Oh, shut up, Leslie.”
