by K. T. Castle
I wasn’t falling for this. I wasn’t twenty anymore.
“Shut up,” I playfully pushed him back. I really didn’t know how he did it. One moment I was ready to choke him, and the next I found him adorable. He was a dangerous charmer.
He gave me one of his alluring smiles, took one step toward me, and entrancingly kissed my cheek. I think he understood I wasn’t playing any games tonight. Besides, he had that beautiful blonde with him, and she looked like a handful.
“Do you mind helping me fix this stupid tie?” he asked, slathering on the charm.
He was shameless.
“You were doing all right a minute ago with that girl in the corner who’s staring at us,” I reminded him.
“Mindy? Oh, no. She’s crappy at it, babe. Could you please do it for me?”
That name caught my attention. Mindy. Had he mentioned that name before? I wasn’t sure, but it sounded so familiar.
It didn’t really matter. I had to get back to my friends and he had to get back to his.
How could I get rid of him without been a total bitch?
“Here, give me a minute,” I said, reaching for the hem of my dress and turning a bit so I didn’t face possible observers of our little conversation. I lifted it up to reach for my cellphone, which was safely tucked in the black lace garter on my left thigh.
I heard Josh giving a series of forced breaths. It wasn’t really my intention to tease him at all; I just needed my phone to help him fix his tie. How-to videos and all. Only after I’d grabbed my phone did I realize reaching for it and showing a bit of leg may not have been the best idea if I wanted to get away.
I stepped back and hid my iPhone’s screen from him. I needed a minute to complete the task, and he needed a minute to calm himself down.
“Here,” I said. “I found a video on YouTube that explains it all for you. I’m sure you can manage.”
He kept looking at me like a starving animal. I was positive I didn’t want to be alone with him right now, so I gave him as guilt-free of a smile as I could manage, turned around, and left.
Chapter 10
I went to the restroom for a minute to myself. It was still difficult to accept that things sometimes didn’t go as planned.
After getting here early and arranging everything that had been completely wrong, I went home, got ready for the party, and came back to a place set up exactly as planned. Everything was perfect, from the flower decor to the buffet tables, the band, the waiters, and even the guests. It was a major relief, even if Laura wasn’t happy with me and believed I wasn’t as responsible as she’d expected. That, I could handle, but not what happened next.
I’d planned and explained to everyone the order of events and how everything should go. Even still, no one seemed to care. At exactly 6:00 pm, I was supposed to open the floor for speeches by welcoming everyone, followed by Laura and Eddie thanking all their guests for their presence. Then, some family and friends were to say their congratulations to the couple.
Needless is to say, it didn’t happen like that. At all.
For several minutes, I tried to get Laura and Edward to join me on the main floor to start the celebration, and they completely ignored me. Apparently, they still resented the fact that I ‘wasn’t there early to help out with the party’s details.’
It was until Denise went to the band and grabbed the microphone that the welcoming started, only then Laura and Edward decided to follow the program. That was how Denise took my place as the event’s host. In a way, I was grateful to her for standing up and taking that pressure off my shoulders, but a little part of me still resented her.
Her welcoming words were really fantastic, to be honest, and she looked gorgeous. So in control of the situation. She smiled and maintained her charisma throughout the speech. It was so easy for her to handle an audience now—nothing like the eighteen-year-old Denise who married as soon as she graduated high school.
The transition from Denise’s speech to Laura and Edward’s speeches went smoothly as well. Of course, Laura said most of their words. It was like watching an Academy Award thank-you speech. She basically thanked everyone in her life for their support to make this all happen. Edward looked handsomely sharp next to her, not a hair out of place nor a crease in his suit. He still wore those ridiculous black leather gloves for some unknown reason; the only things to add to the ensemble were the cane, top hat, and a pocket watch.
After that, their parents gave them their blessings. Natalie and Marisol started crying from simply talking and giving big hugs, and then it was finally my turn to speak. When the mic was handed to me, I had nowhere to run. I felt completely unprepared and, once on the spot, I froze, sensing everyone looking at me. The words I’d prepared were meant to be shared at the beginning of the event, not after everyone else spoke. So I couldn’t use those. As a result of the pressure and my own annoyance, I said the only words which came to mind—and I didn’t even think.
“When a man steals your last single best friend, there’s no better revenge than to let him keep her." And then I smiled at both of them.
Of course, it was meant to be joke which only some people laughed at. But it felt tense. Laura looked tense. Or maybe I was just so tense I couldn’t tell. Hoping to redeem myself, I looked at my best friend and said, “Laura is a beautiful woman on the inside as well as on the outside, but she’s high-maintenance. Eddie,” I gave a look and a big smile as I addressed him, “I hope you’re ready for her, because everything she does is great, big, and expensive.” Some more people laughed, and I tried my best to close my words with something positive that made me sound less bitchy. “Take care of her. I love her. She’s the best.”
I meant every single word. I probably should have kept my speech light and sappy, but I couldn't do it. Edward only stiffened in reaction; he knew exactly what I was saying. Natalie’s big blue eyes looked at me in what was possibly shock, but I kept staring fiercely at Edward. I didn’t know if anyone else noticed. Then Josh took the microphone from me and I realized what was happening again.
“It isn’t easy being a groom, nowadays,” he said. “Especially with a set of beautiful bridesmaids to take care of the lovely Laura over here. So, of course my pal Edward had to look for the best man available to help him out.”
Josh moved from his place at the very left of the stage to stand between Edward and me before really getting into his speech. “The first thing Ed did was to go to the smartest man he knew.” He looked all around the audience and smiled before he continued. “When that guy said no, Eddie asked the most handsome man he knew.” He made another dramatic pause and winked at me. “When that guy said no, Ed asked the most popular man he knew.” He paused once more and looked at the spectators. “And finally, after being asked three times, I agreed.”
People cracked up laughing at his joke, and I even saw Twiggy-tall-blonde clap at his silly recount. Josh shrugged innocently and said, “I mean, someone had to help him out.”
He’d managed to keep his speech charming and light. Everyone was smiling now, and people were invited to help themselves to the food. Then the party really started.
I stood there in silence for a minute. I saw Laura and Edward go to their table, Marisol and Denise reunite with their husbands to grab something to eat, how Andrik, Natalie’s husband, went to her and ushered her back to their seat—as I stood there all alone. I had no one with me. I had been so busy planning the whole thing that I didn’t even consider who was going to be my date for the event. At some point, I thought I could sit with my friends, but I’d completely forgotten that they all had someone. Then I turned to look at Josh and saw him with Twiggy-tall-blonde. Laura had said that Mindy was his date; it was silly of me to pretend that Josh would come to the party without one. Apparently, I was the only one standing solo.
How did this happen?
I haven’t been without a date since…since…Natalie’s wedding. After I broke up with Edward and got my Masters. And even then, I manage
d to get hooked up with someone.
Natalie approached me and said, “Kassie, are you all right?”
I didn’t answer back. I honestly didn’t know what to say.
“Come with me,” she added. “Andrik went to get us some food. We saved a chair for you at our table. Marisol and Denise are sitting there too with their husbands. We’re all together. Just as you planned it.”
“I need a moment. I’ll be right back,” I said.
I don’t know how long I stayed in the restroom, but I knew I couldn’t be there forever. I had to go somewhere else before Natalie came back and found me.
Between the restrooms and the open bar, a path of stone steps probably led to a storage room. No one was using it just then, and it served as a great hiding spot. It partially hid among the various plants, which were truly the main attraction at The Garden. It was also close enough to the bar that I could quickly get a drink if needed but far enough that the music didn’t disturb me much.
I decided I’d spend some time there to calm down and compose myself before I returned to the party and faced the world smiling.
Chapter 11
After some time on my own, I did feel better, though I still wasn’t ready to return to the party. I decided to stay in my hiding place for a little bit longer.
Sitting there, I unintentionally overheard a private conversation. I really didn’t mean to listen, but I had to admit that it was my right to do so, since, in a way, it was mainly about me.
A few people came and went from the bar, and one couple lingered there a little longer than the others. It took me a moment to figure out those voices, but a minute into their conversation I was completely sure it was Edward and Josh.
“Everything seems quite all right for this pompous-ass engagement party of yours,” Josh said in an amused tone. “Are you enjoying the spotlight?”
Edward, as usual, sounded bored even as he snorted before responding. “I don’t give a shit about the party or the attention. The point is, it makes Laura freaking happy. So be it.”
I didn’t like his response much, but at least he was willing to please my friend.
Josh didn’t seem happy with the groom’s response, either, saying, “Well, you should be less of an asshole about it. Everything around you was planned to please that spoiled fiancé of yours, and you, of course. Show some real gratitude.”
“I’m paying for all this crap.” As always came that conceited, juvenile thought that money bought everything. It was silly, really, especially since he’d shown a bit of resistance to spending too much on the wedding. “There’s no reason for me to be fucking thankful,” he added. “I pay for a service and I receive it. Simple as that.”
“You dick,” Josh said. I hadn’t expected that. “You aren’t paying the person organizing it all, so stop being an asshole and show some real fucking appreciation.”
Where was he going with all of that?
If he’d actually spent a long time being Edward’s friend, he must have known that the guy didn’t do humble—or apologies.
“Sorry, Josh. Am I hurting your fragile feelings?” That sarcasm was all too familiar. “I never knew you were such a pussy.”
“I’m not talking about me, you idiot.” Josh’s kept his voice low and composed, but I could sense the anger behind his words. “I didn’t organize all this shit. Kass did. And you know it.”
Wow. Josh was actually defending me. I could hardly believe it. Did he actually care that much?
“Kassandra, Kassandra, Kassandra,” Edward whined, and for a moment my heart stopped; I thought he saw me. I looked around and reassured myself that I was still safely hidden in the cloistered stone pathway. “Everyone praises that silly girl like she’s a fucking genius party planner.”
That ass. He so knew I was good at this. He was just too proud to admit it.
“She isn’t a silly girl. She’s a wonderful, intelligent planner.” I thought maybe Josh would have stopped defending me by now, and it surprised me that he hadn’t. “Kass planned all this for you. Be. Fucking. Thankful.” This time, his tone sounded the exact opposite of friendly and calm.
“Whatever,” the groom said, brushing him off. “I’m tired of all the attention Kassandra’s getting for doing all this shit. I told Laura you were actually the one getting everything ready all the way up until the party started.”
Oh, no, he didn’t! He was the one who told on me?
“Wait a goddamn minute. Why would you tell Laura that?” my chivalrous defender asked.
Edward sounded exasperated, as if the answer was self-explanatory. “You respected the damn budget I provided and went with me to get the alcohol. You were the one running all over the fucking place getting this location ready for the idiotic party, not her. I didn’t see her. She wasn’t here.”
Huh, he was still going on about the stupid budget. What about at three o’clock when I was out of the gym and running all around the place trying to sort out everything on my own?
I didn’t pay much attention to what Edward told Josh until I heard him say, “She was probably getting that big ass of hers into that tiny cheap dress.”
“Shut the fuck up about Kass,” Josh all but roared at the same time I jumped out of my hiding place.
They didn’t notice me, but I could finally see what was going on. My ears grew hot. Edward looked smug as hell, as usual, and Josh looked furious.
“She planned this, fucktard,” he spat, shoving his face closer to Edward’s “She’s the one who spent her weekends organizing all this shit. She arrived hours before you showed your sorry ass, and she doesn’t deserve this crap from you.”
Edward simply breezed away from Josh, as if this happened all the time between them. He then stated, “Oh, so that’s what this shit is about. You want a piece of that ass?” He gave an obnoxious laugh. “Go ahead and fuck her out of your system. You’ll feel better. She isn’t even that great of a lay.”
“You sorry-ass motherfucker.” Josh grabbed him by his expensive grey suitcoat before I realized I was running toward them.
I couldn't stop myself—I had to break them apart. As angry as I felt, I was even more terrified of having a scene in the middle of this engagement party.
“Let him go, Josh,” I said.
“Kass…how—”
“Let. Him. Go,” I said as clearly and surely as I could muster with all the anger boiling inside me. Josh finally did as I said, and I felt him tense beside me; he wasn’t happy with my request.
“See?” Edward said with a sneer. “Even she knows she’s not worth it.”
I’d intended to stop them from fighting, but I just couldn’t help it. I slapped Edward as hard as I could. I never knew I actually had the courage I needed to finally do what I’d always wanted.
“You’re a bastard,” I told him with all the spite I could summon. “I can’t believe I ever had anything to do with you. You never deserved me, and you certainly don’t deserve Laura. Don’t ever talk to me again. I despise you.”
I was thankful that the bartender remained the only witness to our little argument. I was also thankful that I had someone defending me, giving me the courage to defend myself for once.
I turned to my white knight, grabbed his face, and kissed Josh like I may have always wanted. It made my lips hurt a little, but I didn’t care. Then I turned and headed for my purse and jacket. This party wasn’t for me anymore.
“I’m sorry about that. Ed’s a dick,” Josh called from behind me.
Why was he apologizing? “Yes, he is.” I couldn’t agree more, and there was no way I’d say the opposite.
“Apparently, he was the fucker who told Laura I was the hero of the day and not you.”
I found it cute that Josh seemed to be making excuses for his behavior, oddly enough, especially since I was the one who’d really acted out of turn.
“So I heard,” I admitted. What else could I say? I grabbed my jacket from the coatroom, made sure I had my purse with me, and
headed toward The Garden’s front door.
“You heard?” Josh seemed disconcerted.
I stopped walking and turned to face him. “Yes, I did.” No point in denying it. “I was right there when you guys started talking.” I pointed to the stone stairs. “I heard all of your conversation.”
He kept looking at me as if I was about to break, or maybe he thought I was already broken. It took a few seconds for him to say, “I see. And how do you feel?”
Fucking amazing, I wanted to say. But I thought it might be too crude and wouldn’t help me feel much better around Josh. Instead, I decided to go with an understatement, “Not good.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “He shouldn’t have said the shit he did.”
I wondered if Josh even realized that he didn’t have to keep apologizing.
He didn’t have to defend me.
He didn’t have to follow and check on me.
He didn’t have to ask how I felt.
“Why are you here, Josh?” I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer.
“What do you mean?”
He seemed completely caught off guard by my direct question, and I had to remind myself that he couldn’t see inside my head, after all. I really didn’t know what I wanted to hear, but Edward’s words kept coming back to me. Maybe Josh only wanted to sleep with me, nothing else—although it seemed like a lot of trouble for only a night of pleasure.
“Do you really only care about getting into my pants?” I asked, bordering somewhere between a pleading glance and a glare.
Josh seemed to relax a bit before he answered me. “You know I do. But not in the way that moron phrased it. I don’t want you thinking about it like that.”
“You have no idea what I’m thinking,” I quipped, trying to get the image of Edward’s face out of my head.
“I don’t,” Josh said quietly. “I wish I had a clue.” Then he stepped closer to me and tilted his head. “And obviously you don’t know how I feel about you, either.”
“Then explain it to me.” I didn’t try to back away from him this time.
