Page 33 of Bumping into You

Bradley glances over at me and Niall again, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. I know that look. It’s been aimed at me many times over the years.

Vivian comes up beside me and whispers, “I’m so sorry, Gwen. If I would’ve known, I wouldn’t have asked if it was okay he came.”

“It’s okay,” I say, offering her a smile. “It was all a misunderstanding. I’m going to be fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, I’m not the first woman in the world who’s had to be around her ex.”

“That’s the truth,” says Vivian, giving me a squeeze on the arm. “I’m sure you’ll be seeing each other here and there with the wedding activities, but we’re going to sit this one out to give you some space.”

“Thanks,” I say, “I appreciate that.”

“Holly,” says Vivian, “drinks sound great, but Bradley, Tammy, and I are going to head over to the pool.”

Holly nods. “We’ll catch up with you all later.”

“Stay cool at the pool,” says Trent.

I watch Vivian, Bradley, and Tammy head in the direction of the pool. I breathe a sigh of relief when they are finally out of sight.

“Gwennie, you okay?” asks Greg.

Gillian gives me a hug. “Let me know if you need to talk,” she says.

“I’m really fine,” I tell my siblings.

But no one seems to buy that. Everyone knows I did not take the breakup well. I’d thought he was close to proposing. Not on the verge of dumping me.

I’d been completely blindsided.

They all probably think I am freaking out at seeing Bradley at rock climbing. What they don’t know is . . . I’d already run into him two other times, so I am fresh out of the freaking-out stage. I’d just hoped I could keep it from all of them, because now they’ll be focusing on me being around Bradley. And I can’t have that.

Not when this cruise is about Holly and Greg.

I take a deep, calming, centering breath before turning to the group and laying everything out to them.

“Yes, that was Bradley. Tammy is his fiancée and Vivian’s plus one for the wedding.” I hold my hand up at Holly, Margot, and Gillian’s expressions, all three on the verge of either trying to mother me or sharing some sentiment about their ill will toward Bradley. “Before you say anything, yes, I was shocked when I first found out. No, this isn’t the first time I’ve run into them on this trip.”

“What?” says Margot. “How many times have you seen each other?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I say. “You all just need to know that I’m not going to fall apart. And most importantly,” I look around at the group expectantly with my sternest look, “I will not have this week be about me. I can be an adult and deal with the fact that Bradley and his . . . fiancée”—I internally cringe at the word coming out of my mouth—“are on this cruise too. But this cruise is not about me. It’s about celebrating Holly and Greg. I hope you all will respect that I don’t want to be the center of attention. It is my job as best friend and event planner to make this week all about the soon-to-be newlyweds. Everyone understand?”

Stunned expressions are on everyone’s faces, but they all nodin agreement.

Everyone except Niall. He is looking at me with a lopsided grin, his eyes twinkling at my speech.

Clapping my hands together, I say, “Alright, we’ve climbed a wall, we escaped the domino collapse, I’d say we are more than deserving of a round of drinks. Everyone ready?”

“Miles and I are actually going to head out,” says Gillian, “to spend time with Maggie.”

“Give our niece a hug for us,” says Greg.

Holly, Margot, and I walk arm in arm into the elevator. The guys hang back chatting before following a ways behind us.

“Why didn’t you tell us about Bradley?” Holly asks.

“It wasn’t a big deal, honestly,” I reply.

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