Page 95 of Fauxmance

"Oh, she was just some girl. Want to go? I don't know about you, but I feel like I've been in this bathroom far too long. Phillipa needed help holding up her dress."

I nodded, aware that she'd deflected the question but deciding to let it go. "Should've gotten a Bridal Buddy."

"A what?"

"It's this magical item that brides can wear under their dress. Then you can go to the restroom on your own."

"That's brilliant," Annabelle said. "Must've been invented by a woman."

"I think it was," I said. "I can send you the link if you want."

We exchanged phone numbers, and I texted her the link. Annabelle was still checking out the site when we walked back into the reception. When I'd left everything had been very calm and orderly. What we walked into was total chaos.

Dinner had apparently already been served, and the dancing had commenced. If you could even call it that. There were several people out there, getting down and dirty on the dance floor. I wanted to look away but couldn't. Beatrix and Bobbie looked like they were trying to outdo each other with how low they could get to the floor. Their dresses made that extra interesting. A loud smash brought my attention to the other side of the room where Marco and the groomsmen were smashing plates.

Hayden walked over to me with a big smile on his face.

"Annabelle," he said, "I see you found my date. Thanks for bringing her back."

"She brought herself, Hayden," she said with a smile. "You're a sight for sore eyes."

"You, too, A. And you're engaged now? Poor guy."

"Very funny." She sighed a second later, wincing as she looked around. "I better go check on my mom. Excuse me."

Once she was gone, Hayden met my gaze, sounding curious. "Where have you been?"

"After the talk with your mom, I had a run in with your cousins in the bathroom," I said. "Speaking of which."

I socked him in the shoulder, and he laughed.

"What's that for?" he asked.

"For not telling me Dr. M is your mom. What the heck, Hayden?"

He shrugged. "I figured you knew." When I gave him a look, he said solemnly, "Okay, okay, I should've said something. But honestly, I didn't think it was a big deal. Did you two have a bad conversation?"

"Not really," I said.

"I thought you got along with my mom."

"I do. But you still should've told me,boyfriend."

"Sorry, girlfriend," he said. "I'll make better choices next time. Okay?"

I gave a nod. "You do that."

"What about the cousins? How'd that go?"

"Fine." I smiled up at him. "They tried to make me feel bad, but I'm a tough cookie."

Hayden nodded. "I know. I'm sorry you had to deal with them, though."

I flicked that away. "What's been happening out here?"

"It's a madhouse, and I wasn't even able to laugh about it with my date."

"Well, I'm here now," I said.

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