Page 11 of Second Chance Ex
“Yeah, because you’redrunk.”
I take that as my cue to step in, because as Maid of Honor, I’m sure I have some duty of care to prevent the bride and groom from murdering one another before their engagement party.
“Okay, why don’t we all just take a deep breath,” I use my most calming voice, glancing at both of them.
“Oh, hey Prue.” Ryan waves as if he’s just noticed I’m standing right here.
Madison harrumphs, shaking her head and I hold a hand up, silencing her before she starts again.
“Hey, Ry. Why don’t you go take a shower and freshen up?” I look at him, practically pleading him with my eyes while also silently warning him to get in the goddamn shower or else I won’t be held accountable for the actions of my completely unhinged best friend.
“And Mads?” I turn to Madison. “Why don’t wetake a few minutes to collect our composure, go downstairs, have a nice glass of wine and-’
“Look how sunburnt you are.”
I snap my mouth shut, following Madison’s narrowed eyed glower. And, in her defense, Ryan is a little red. A lot red. Like a beacon. With obvious tan lines where his sunglasses sat all day.
“The photos from tonight are going to look absolutely ridiculous,” Madison mutters.
“Photos?” Ryan snorts, looking Maddy up and down. And I almost hold my breath because I’m pretty sure I know exactly where he’s headed.Oh, no, Ryan, don’t do it, please don’t do it.But of course he does.
“At least I don’t look like a contestant off thatDrag Raceshow,” he mutters as he makes his unsteady way to the ensuite.
Oh, Ryan.My shoulders sag in resignation and all I can do is hang my head and stare at the floor, wishing I was anywhere else but right here at this point in time. I close my eyes at the sound of Madison taking a deep breath, no doubt filling her lungs and preparing herself for the impending battle of insults she’s about to spew.
Again, before something can be said that can’t be taken back, I step in.“Stop it, the both of you! Jesus, will you listen to yourselves?” I’m fully aware I sound exactly like my mother, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil.
Madison starts, gawping at me, clearly surprised by my raised voice, which I honestly don’t do very often. Ryan, who’s currently holding himself up with the help of the bathroom door frame, at least has the decency to look a little rueful.
“This is yourengagementparty.” I grab my bestfriend’s left hand, holding it in the air to show off the sparkly diamond ring on her finger as if they need reminding. “You’re gettingmarried.” I soften a little, glancing at Madison. “What’s going on? Is everything okay between you two?”
She releases a sigh, glancing at Ryan who offers her a sad, hangdog look. “Yeah, we’re fine.” She quickly adds, “I mean, we’rebetterthan fine, we’re great.” She looks at Ryan again, eyes hopeful. “Aren’t we?”
He grins, nodding.
Madison leaves me then, rushing toward her fiancé, placing her hands on his chest. His bare chest. And I’m suddenly reminded that he’s wearing nothing more than a pair of low-slung Calvins. I do all I can to avert my eyes from his very naked form.
“We just have… a lot on,” Madison says with a meaningful look at Ryan.
He lovingly caresses her cheek with the backs of his fingers.
“Ry’ssobusy with the brokerage. I’m busy with the boutique,andI’m planning a wedding. I mean, whoever said you can plan a wedding in ten weeks, is on crack, Prue. Pure crack!”
A bit dramatic, but okay. I shrug, holding my hands up in platitude. “What can I do to help?”
“Will you go out and tell the DJ to please delay our welcome speech?” she asks me while still looking only at Ryan.
“Consider it done. How much time do you need?”
Ryan flashes Madison a knowing smirk, his hand moving down over her dress, cupping her ass right in front of me. I quickly turn away, not needing to seethisright now. I hear my best friend giggle and I inwardly cringe.
“About twenty minutes, huh babe?” Ryan murmurs, accompanied by another giggle from Madison.
Before I can respond, I hear a door slam. Reluctantly I turn back around to find the room empty, the bathroom door firmly shut. I hear the faint sound of another giggle, and then the water starts up on the other side of the wall, and I’m out of there so damn fast, desperate not to hear whatever it is they’re about to do in that shower.
With another glassof champagne in my hand, I make my way back outside to find the party even more crowded than it had been before Madison dragged me away. I crane my neck to see over the heads of revelers, spotting the DJ off to the side of the tent. I make a beeline for him, saying the occasional hello to those I know along the way.
I finally reach the DJ and step up onto his platform, carefully tapping him on the shoulder, not wanting to startle him mid-song. He turns, offering me a questioning arch of his brow, lifting one of his noise-canceling headphones off his ear to hear me. He’s probably expecting me to request some lame-ass song, but just as I’m about to give him the message from Madison and Ryan, I catch something out of the corner of my eye. And suddenly, it’s as if the entire world around me has come to a crashing stop.
