Page 99 of Rich Girl
“They are still invited to the wedding,” she warns me. “So you will be seeing them. But you are the only one in my wedding party.”
I stare at her in utter shock. While we’ve been friends since childhood, I never expected this level of loyalty from her or anyone else, really. The world we live in is fickle and superficial.
My eyes fill with tears. “I don’t know what to say, Addie. I love you, and I’m sorry if this is ruining your perfect wedding.”
“The only thing ruining it right now would be us not having perfect makeup. So stop that,” she admonishes me like a small child.
I chuckle and pull her into a hug. We remain like this for the longest time, careful not to ruin our makeup, hair or dresses. A knock at the door interrupts us.
“It is time,” the wedding planner announces.
Things after that are a blur. I missed the rehearsal dinner, so now they have to give me a crash course on what I have to do, and how I am not allowed to mess it up. This is not my first time being a part of the wedding party, but it feels like the most important one to date. I want it to turn out as perfect and beautiful as Adeline.
The walk down the aisle is long, and my hands are shaking, with fingers squeezing the bouquet of flowers tighter the farther I go.
The ceremony is incredible, and I find myself getting emotional during the vows. It is so obvious that they’re in love, and I almost can’t take it.
At some point, my eyes go over the crowd. I feel lightheaded when I think I see Ray sitting with the guests. I promptly break into a sweat and look away. This is great, now I am hallucinating. The rest of the day should be fun.
Once the ceremony is over, we spend another two solid hours taking pictures. A part of the event that I’d normally enjoy, it is now grating on my last nerve. My face hurts from smiling. I want to go home and get out of this dress.
“I can’t wait to get to the reception,” Adeline whispers to me when we have our turn to take pictures just the two of us.
I smile but don’t say anything back. I have no plans to stay for long. As soon as the speeches are over, I am out. Or… I could skip the whole thing altogether. I’m sure Adeline would understand.
More pictures and smiles later, and we are finally done.
“Hayden,” Adeline calls out to me as we walk toward the hired cars parked at the curb. “You’re coming with us in the limo.”
I look at Derek, expecting to see him surprised by this. Instead, he has an indulgent smile on his face, willing to do anything for his new wife.
“I got a car waiting for me right there,” I wave her off. “I’m sure you two need your time alone.”
Adeline lifts her dress so it wouldn’t drag on the ground, then she marches right up to me. She grabs me by the arm and starts walking toward their limo, leaving me with no choice but to follow.
“I want to make sure you actually get there,” she tells me right before pressing a hand on my back for me to get in. The push she gives me is a bit aggressive, making me stumble into the seat.
“What was that about?” I look at both her and Derek when we are finally on our way to the venue.
Derek smirks at me. “She thought you were going to bolt.”
I open and close my mouth in shock, no words coming out. Derek turns his head to look at Adeline.
“She looks guilty. You were right.”
She grins at him. “I told you so.”
They bring their heads together and kiss, the press of their lips soft and sweet. I try to look away, but I can’t. I want to cry at the unfairness of the universe.
“This is not awkward at all, Addie,” I tease her. “I’m sure it is the bride and groom’s dream to have the bridesmaid crashing their little party for two right after the wedding ceremony.”
They part their lips, only for Adeline to start laughing like a lunatic.
“You almost make it sound dirty, Hayden.”
I blink at her in distress, glancing at Derek in the corner of my eye. He is just shaking his head in amusement.
“Excuse her,” he addresses me. “She’s been reading cheap smut lately.”
