Page 18 of Til Death Do Us Part

Why was she so angry? Was it because we stole her spotlight?

“We’re going to see if we can make it work. Did you know Leo’s moving to Oasis for a job?” Camilla had only mentioned he’d recently moved here, but she’d always been strangely quiet about Leo when I’d asked about her boyfriend’s best friend.

She gave it a dismissive wave of her hand. “Something like that. It didn’t really interest me since I was trying to plan a wedding.”

“But Leo’s Jordan’s best friend, and I thought you liked him.” Something about this wasn’t adding up.

“I do like him, but what do I care where he’s going to live if I’m not in the same city or hell even the same state.”

“You act like you’re never going to come back to Oasis for even a visit.”

“My dad moved to Florida with his new wife who’s barely older than me and my mom’s fucking her tennis instructor who she’s taking all over the world. Since neither of them are there, what do I have to visit in Oasis?”

I recoiled, feeling her words like a physical slap to the face. What did she have in Oasis? Me, her best friend.

“I guess your best friend doesn’t rank high enough to visit.” I jumped up from the couch and looked down at the woman who’d been my best friend for the last ten years. A woman I thought I knew until just now. “Was this weekend supposed to be some one and done thing where I’d never see you again?”

“Everly,” she said my name exasperatedly, “while you have talent, you’re only a hairdresser. I can’t be wasting my time now that I’m going to be working for the biggest law firm in Minneapolis.”

Who was the woman who sat before me?

Not wanting to look at her for another moment, I made my way to the door. Opening the door, I looked back at Camilla and finally saw all the changes that I’d been too blind to see over the past couple of days and if I was being honest with myself, over the last two years. Jordan was smart to call off the wedding. He was too good for her.

My best friend wouldn’t cheat on a man she loved, but she’d done it time and time again to Jordan. That wasn’t the only change. Little by little over the years, Camilla had started to think she was better than me and everyone else who wasn’t a lawyer. I wanted to believe our friendship meant something to her, but if it did, she wouldn’t have treated me like the dirt beneath her shoes.

“Good luck with your big city life. If by any chance you ever see me again, I want you to keep on walking like we’re total strangers because clearly, that’s what you’ve become.”

I didn’t have the energy to slam the door. Not wanting to be alone, I trudged to the elevator and hit the ground floor once I got inside.

In a daze, I got off the elevator and let my feet take me where I wanted to go. I couldn’t believe Camilla thought so little of me.

Stepping out into the bright sun, I spotted Leo and Jordan at the bar by the pool. Leo’s arm was slung around Jordan’s shoulders as they clinked beers.

I sat down on the vacant stool next to Leo. When their eyes landed on me, I asked, “Is there room in this party for one more?”

“Bartender, get her a beer,” Jordan called out. He gave me a sad smile as he tipped his beer to me. “I hear congratulations are in order.” He let out a sad sigh. “At least this weekend wasn’t a total waste.”

Leo pulled my stool closer and put his arm around my waist as he kissed my temple.

When the bartender sat a beer down in front of me, Jordan held his up. “To the newlyweds.”

“To us,” I cheered, clinking my bottle with both of theirs before I took a long pull.

Jordan gave a half laugh when I set my beer down. “I guess Camilla told you what happened?”

“Some,” I answered. Reaching around Leo, I squeezed Jordan’s hand. “I’m sorry, but it’s probably better in the long run. I know in time you’ll find the woman for you because clearly, Camilla isn’t it.”

“You’re too good for her,” Leo expressed my thought.

“Maybe, but it still hurts.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I really am. If it makes you feel any better, she ended our decade long friendship because I’m a hairdresser.”

Jordan scoffed at that. “That’s not the reason. The reason is that you got the man she wants.”

My brows knitted together, unable to make sense of his words. “What are you talking about?”

Leo pressed his hand further into my side. “I’m guessing she didn’t tell you whose name she called out while they were having sex, did she?”

---