Chapter 34

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Warm, spring sunlight streamed through the gauzy curtains, filling the room with an ethereal golden glow. Fragrant blooms scented the air, and as the first guests entered the reception, I waited in the small cubicle that housed the venue's "bar", jittering with anxiety.

I can do this. I can do this.

The preceding hour or so had been spent setting up the various kegs, putting bottles of wine and champagne on ice and unboxing loads of rented glassware.

It's just beer and wine. You've got this.

Standing behind the counter, I put on a welcoming smile, watching as guests found their seats. Slowly, they wove amidst the sea of tables bedecked with white tablecloths, real silverware, and what looked like a florist shop's full inventory of flowers.

Then, they came to me and suddenly I was too busy checking ID's and filling glasses to worry.

There was a moment during the rush when the bodies in front of me separated and I saw Jason come in. My breath caught, captivated by the irresistible sight of him in a classic black tuxedo. On his arm, he escorted his suit-clad father.

But, I couldn't stare too long.

People would notice...

Looking down, I smiled as I poured a pint of ale, glad that Gerald was able to make it.

As I handed the beer over, the next guest came forward, and I greeted him with the stock welcome I'd been using with the others-

"Hi there! Tonight, we're serving a selection of beer and wine," I paused to gesture to the short menu displayed on the counter, "but, first, could I see your ID please?"

Instead of just handing over that scrap of plastic, the man frowned, "Beer and wine? You're telling me that's it?"

Here we go...

I nodded, "Venue policy - no hard liquor."

Rather than take the hint, the man persisted, "Really? That's so stupid!"

My attention flickered to the growing line behind him, feeling my anxiety rising before returning to the obstacle before me. "Well, sir, I don't own the building, so I don't get to make the rules. Now, once you show me your ID, I can serve you beer or wine. If neither of those are satisfactory, I can have the catering staff bring you some lemonade instead?"

Something in my sickly-sweet tone seemed to get through to him, so he rolled his eyes as he dug for his wallet, grumbling before curtly demanding a beer.

After verifying his birthdate, I handed the ID back, giving him my politest, "fuck you," smile.

The rest of the line, mercifully, went much faster. It didn't seem long before the last few stragglers made their way to the bar.

Looking up as I dug a corkscrew into a fresh bottle of red wine, I was met with a familiar face.

"Hailey!" Amanda's smile was warm and infectious, and I couldn't help but return it, "It's good to see you! Faith mentioned that you agreed to help out?"

"Uh, yeah!" I grimaced slightly as I pulled the cork free, "I mean, it's so shitty for that kind of emergency to pop up at the last minute - how could I not?"

"That is so sweet of you - you're honestly an angel. Now," she held out an envelope, "I know that Jason is footing the bill, but this is a little token of my appreciation-"

"Oh," I shook my head, eyes widening, "you don't have to-"

"Oh, but I'm going to. Besides," she sighed, "you have to deal with my brother."

"Your brother?" I asked as I accepted the envelope.

"Loud guy?" She prompted, "Almost made a scene earlier when you told him, 'No liquor'?"

My gaze darted to his table, where he was already draining the last of his beer. "That's your brother?"

Amanda rolled her eyes, "Yep. Feel free to cut him off whenever you'd like. I already told him he's not allowed to embarrass me tonight."

Smirking, I nodded, "I'll keep that in mind."

A woman came up behind her, placing a hand on Amanda's shoulder, "Hey, what's the hold up? The wedding coordinator says the bridal party's ready to come in."

Amanda turned to her, "Wait, really? Shit," addressing me, she requested, "Um... two champagnes?"

I nodded and went about pouring them.

"Do you need our ID's?"

Glancing over my shoulder, I answered, "Not if you promise that she's old enough."

Snorting, Amanda assured me, "She's older than I am."

I shrugged, "Good enough for me."

"By the way," she added, "Lori, this is Hailey - she was friends with Faith in high school and is doing this as a massive favor. Hailey, this is Lori, my best friend, housemate, unofficial sister-"

Lori chuckled, "I think she gets the idea."

I brought the champagne flutes over to the counter as Amanda explained, "After the trial and just... everything happened with Paul, I needed to get out of town, so Lori offered me a place to stay-"

"-and then never successfully got rid of you," Lori finished, laughing.

"Well," handing one to each of them, "it was nice to meet you, Lori. Amanda, it's always a pleasure."

"Before we go," Lori leaned in, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "I need some backup-"

"Lori," Amanda chided.

"No, seriously." Facing me, she asked, "You know Jason, right?"

His name caught me off guard, and I fought to hide my reaction, "I guess?"

"So, like, he's incredibly attractive, aging like fine wine, richer than god-"

My expression tightened against my skull like a mask.

Please, can we not do this?

Amanda hissed, "Lori!"

Unperturbed, she continued, "-and he's unattached. It'd be insane to not at least attempt a reconciliation, right?"

Bile rose in my throat, and I heard myself echo, "Right."

"See!" She directed her stare at Amanda, "It's your second chance! Cheating on Jason was the dumbest fucking thing you ever did-"

A buzzing sound filled my mind, and I had to strain to listen.

Amanda leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling, "As you refuse to let me forget."

"And now you're here, celebrating your daughter's wedding, and it's all very romantic-"

I don't know what I would have done if Amanda hadn't interrupted.

"You know what?" She picked up her glass, speaking to me, "cut her off whenever you like, too. She's talking crazy and she's stone-cold sober."

Managing a faint smile, I replied, "I'll keep that in mind."

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