Page 98 of Fauxmance

"They wish they'd been invited to a Davenport wedding."

Amanda scoffed. "They wish they could look as awesome as our friend did at that wedding."

With a sigh, Ruby got up and pulled me into a hug. "You've been through worse," she whispered into my hair. "Don't let the mean people win."

I wrapped my arms around her, exhaling heavily, trying to forget all of the things I'd just read. Ruby wasn't lying. She and Amanda had seen me at my lowest. Life could change in an instant, raining down hurt and pain like a tsunami. This was just a drop in the bucket.

"You're right," I said as she released me. "You both are. Sorry about that. I just had amoment."

"Don't apologize." Amanda got up and pulled me into a second hug. She was small but fierce, and my breath whooshed out of me. "I wish I knew who those people were, so I could smack some sense into them. Picking on you over the internet? Saying those things when they don't even know you? Cowards."

"I'd call them jackasses," Ruby said. "But hey, guess I'm not as PC as you two."

When we sat back down, the mood went back to normal. I tried to play it off, but my mind refused to move on. Did people really think I was using Hayden? If I had been, maybe those comments would've been warranted, I thought as I chewed my apple. But no. It wasn't like that—and even if it was, why would people go out of their way to say such hurtful things on a public forum, about a total stranger?

Answer: Social media sucks.

"You're still thinking about it, aren't you?" Amanda said a few moments later.

I shrugged.

"Well, stop!"

"I'm trying," I said, "but it's not that easy."

Ruby gave a decisive nod. "Okay, tell us more about that night. Was it the best wedding ever or what?"

I thought back. "It was definitely the most unpredictable."

"And the most expensive," Amanda added. "It had to be, considering who was throwing it."

"No doubt," Ruby said.

"The bride's dress alone could've covered my college tuition," I said, and my friends winced.

"Did you have a good time with Hayden?"

I couldn't hold back a smile. I knew they were both trying to distract me from thecrapcomments, and I loved them for it. "Yeah, I did."

Amanda gave me a nudge with her shoulder. "The picture of you guys is so cute."

It was. The two of us were smiling at each other at the reception. I wasn't even aware the photographer had taken it, but I'd love to have a copy for myself.

"Probably what provoked all the hate," Ruby remarked. "Notthat you deserve it, Magnolia. You and Hayden were just living your best life."

"How was the goodnight kiss?" Amanda said, shooting her a look.

"There wasn't one," I said.

"Why not?"

"I think he was going to kiss me—but his grandmother interrupted."

Ruby tsked. "That's too bad. I knew she looked like a harpy, but I didn't think she'd be such a prude about PDA."

"Oh no, it wasn't like that at all," I said.

"What was it like?"

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