Page 13 of Love, Take Two

VADA

Emory's alarm goes off at 5:30 AM, followed by intimate sounds of him getting ready.

I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. This feels too domestic—shared mornings, synchronized schedules. The comfort we used to have.

"Focus, Vada." I roll out of the comfortable bed. "You're here for Jared's wedding, not to get nostalgic about college boyfriend mornings."

I check the schedule while the coffee maker works its magic. Sunrise couples yoga at 6:30 AM on the beach, followed by group breakfast that's being livestreamed for Erika's followers. Then wine tasting lunch, beach volleyball, and an evening reception with live music.

Activities designed for couples. I'll be paired with my college ex while everyone documents us for social media. What could go wrong?

I choose workout clothes that are flattering but not trying-too-hard—black leggings and a sports bra with a flowy tank top thatphotographs well in natural lighting. If I'm going to be in Erika's content today, I might as well look good.

My phone buzzes with a text from Maya:"How's paradise?"

I type back:"Paradise is complicated. Will call you later with full debrief."

"Uh oh. Scale of 1-10, how complicated?"

I stare at my phone, trying to figure out how to explain that my college boyfriend is here and we're staying in adjoining rooms and last night he looked at me like he was trying to solve a puzzle he'd forgotten how to complete.

"Solid 7. Maybe 8."

"VADA. Call me as soon as you can."

I pocket my phone and grab my yoga mat, taking a deep breath before stepping into the hallway. The resort is stunning in the early morning light—golden sunshine streams through the windows. The ocean view from the elevator makes me want to photograph everything.

The breakfast setup on the Sunset Terrace is gorgeous, with elegant buffet stations and seating arranged for optimal social media content. Erika is there with her phone on a small tripod, creating what's going to be a livestreamed getting-ready-for-yoga segment.

"Vada! Perfect timing!" she calls out, waving me over with the enthusiasm of someone who's been awake for hours. "Come say hi to everyone—we're going live with breakfast prep before yoga."

I paste on my brightest smile and approach, where several other gorgeous wedding guests are gathered around the buffet stations. Everyone looks like they stepped out of a lifestyle magazine at 6 AM.

"Good morning, beautiful people!" Erika says to her camera with the kind of energy that shouldn't be possible before sunrise. "We're starting day one of celebration week with sunrise couples yoga on the beach, and I wanted you to meet some of our incredible guests."

She pulls me into the frame with practiced ease. "This is my friend Vada, who's an amazing event coordinator and the sweetest person ever. Vada, say hi to everyone!"

"Hi everyone!" I say to the camera, falling easily into the familiar rhythm of social media content. "I'm so excited to be here celebrating Jared and Erika's love story. This resort is absolutely incredible."

"And Vada has the most amazing surprise connection to our celebration," Erika continues with obvious delight. "She went to college with Emory—you know, my travel blogger friend? They dated for two years!"

My smile feels slightly strained as the other guests turn to look at me with obvious interest. Being introduced as someone's ex-girlfriend on livestream wasn't exactly how I planned to start my morning.

"Small world," I say diplomatically.

"Isn't it incredible?" Erika gushes. "College sweethearts reunited at their exes' wedding in paradise! It's like the universe has a sense of humor."

"Or a twisted sense of irony," I mutter under my breath, but keep smiling for the camera.

"VADA!"

Derek's voice booms across the terrace with the subtle announcing power of a carnival barker. He approaches our little group with a plate loaded with tropical fruit and what appears to be his third cup of coffee.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Derek announces to Erika's livestream like he's hosting his own show, "the famous Vada King! Did you all know that Vada and Erika both dated Emory Wise?!?”

The livestream comments start going crazy—I can see hearts and fire emojis flooding across Erika's screen as her followers react to Derek's oversharing in real time.

"Derek, maybe we should—" I start, but he's already in full storytelling mode.

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