Page 60 of It Could Happen
“You’re the one who’s late,” Leslie replies in a loud whisper. “Erica asked us to be here early.”
Rachel pushes her hair behind her shoulder. “Erica doesn’t run my life. Sorry.”
“Maybe we should save this conversation for later?” I interject, stepping between the two of them.
“You’re right,” Rachel says. “Hi, Tori.”
“Hi, Rachel.”
The guests continue to come, and once everyone is seated, Erica and Caroline stand up at the front of the room.
“Good afternoon, friends,” Erica calls. “Thank you for being here to celebrate our Caroline.”
The guests cheer, and Caroline holds her hands up. She begins talking, thanking everyone for coming in between a few sobs.
I glance at Rachel who is continuously checking her phone.
“This day wouldn’t be possible without the best maid of honor ever,” she says, putting her arm around Erica. Poor Erica continues to smile through her suffering.
“And to Leslie, Tori, Rachel, and Jeannie—I adore you all and am so happy you’re by my side.”
The guests clap, and the festivities begin. There are about thirty-five people in attendance. The charcuterie table is a hit, and everyone is snapping pictures of it to share on social media. Caroline is in her element with her many friends surrounding her. I spend the majority of time chatting with Jeannie and Andy’s mother. When I check my phone, I have another message waiting from Tyler which makes my stomach do another nervous flip.
Hey. Is everything okay over there? Things are blowing up, and it’s not good.
Ooohh. Did Christian go to the golf game and tell the guys what happened? Do they know just how complicated this really is? Not only did Christian cheat on Erica, he did it with a friend and bridesmaid. Their fling affects everyone.
Yes, tensions are running high.
I’m expecting him to text back, but all the sudden my phone rings. I excuse myself from the table and hurry out of the ballroom to answer.
“Aren’t you supposed to be playing golf?”
“Yes, but I’d rather talk to you,” he flirts.
Heat rises in my cheeks. Thankfully, no one is around to see me blushing.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“It’s true, but that’s not why I’m calling,” he says. “What’s happening there?”
I pause as I consider how to bring it up without being the one to spill the beans.
“Erica was very upset when I arrived,” I tell him.
“Did she say why?”
I let out a sigh and look around. Who knows who could be lurking around the corners?
“Yes.”
He groans. “I’m so pissed at Christian for doing this. I don’t even know what to say. I can’t even look at him.”
“How’s Andy?”
“Livid,” he says. “He doesn’t want to upset Caroline, but she needs to know. The rest of us are trying to be supportive, I almost threw Christian in the lake.”
I smile. “Yeah. I was the first to arrive, and Erica blurted it out. I think she needed to vent, and I was the lucky one to be here. It probably helps that I’m kind of a bystander since I’m not part of the group.”
