Faking Forever (First Wives #4)(10)

“Sorry.”

He was laughing. “I thought you said you didn’t know him.”

“I don’t.” Over the next five minutes, she explained how he’d sat next to her on the airplane and his behavior the entire time they were on the flight. “He never told me his name, so I had no idea he was the groom.”

By now she had Justin’s full attention.

“That sounds like Victor.”

“Is that his name?” He looked like a Victor.

“You really don’t know anyone here.”

“Only Corrie and her mother.”

He twisted in his seat and encouraged her to do the same. “Okay, then. Let me point out the party. Beverly Harkin you know, beside her is her husband, Dale. They like to act like they have money, but from what I can tell, they don’t. I’m guessing they want this marriage more than anyone to somehow elevate their world by their daughter getting married to Victor.” Justin paused. “Dale seems to like a stiff brandy, or three.”

“I take it Victor has money.”

Justin shrugged. “Yeah, you could say that.” He continued around the room. “Grandparents of Corrie, I don’t remember if they’re Dad’s family or Mom’s. I don’t know them. The giggling girls continually taking selfies are Corrie’s wedding party, Barbie, Bitsy, and Bimbo.”

Shannon’s mouth dropped open wide.

“Sorry,” he immediately said, looking anything but. “They all arrived last night like they’d just been to a frat party. It’s just their age, I suppose.”

Shannon let the insult slide. “Who are those people in the corner?”

The older man she’d pointed out seemed to know she was talking about him from across the room and looked their way. Justin lifted his glass to the man and smiled. “Parents of the groom. Scott and Renee Brooks.”

They didn’t fit the groom. “They seem so normal.” Unlike Victor.

“About as American grown as they get.” He paused, took a breath. “And those two guys over there are old-time friends of Victor’s.” He went on to point out a grandmother and an aunt on Victor’s side, along with a few cousins.

Altogether there were eleven people there for the groom and at least twenty for the bride. A large group for a rehearsal dinner.

Justin turned around and ordered more drinks.

“No, I shouldn’t.”

“Why? You’re not taking pictures tonight, right?”

The bartender hesitated.

“Okay, but just one more.”

“There you go. We’re laying bets on how long the marriage will last. Did you want to join the pool?”

“That’s mean.”

“No, it’s real. I give it six months.”

Shannon licked the salt on the rim of her glass. Considered her bet. “I’ll be surprised if they make it through the honeymoon.”

“Wow, that’s rough.”

Not really. Her memory of the earlier airplane ride and the conversation she’d overheard with Victor on the phone surfaced. “Do you know where they’re going on their honeymoon?”

“Somewhere here in Tulum. Why?”

“For how long?”

“A week. Then they’re off to Cozumel, or maybe it was Grand Cayman . . . I’m not sure.”

Then how was Victor going to make his Tuesday meeting back in California? Ditch his wife? “Such an asshole,” she whispered.

Justin laughed again.

Annoyed, watching as Victor and Corrie walked the room, Shannon turned around in her seat and sipped her cocktail.

She’d seen enough to know what to anticipate the next day if they moved everything inside. The space would be tight, and she’d likely have to block someone’s view of the ceremony in order to capture the right photographs, but there wasn’t a way around that. With any luck the rain would stop and give them more space outside. And by this time tomorrow, it would all be over and she could add a shot to her margarita and move on with her own personal plans.

“You never told me who you were to the bridal party,” Shannon said once Justin turned around to join her in their drinks.

“I’m the best man.”

It was Shannon’s turn to spit out her drink. “What?”

He took a napkin from the bartender’s stack and handed it to her with a wink.

“Yeah. Sorry. Maybe I should have said that first.”

Shannon pushed her drink aside. “You think? I’m dishing out crap on your best friend and you’re playing along.” She wasn’t sure who the bigger jerk was now . . . him or the groom. Or maybe it was her.

“You’re only speaking the truth. We all know Victor’s an asshole, but we love him anyway. I mean, c’mon, a destination wedding? Who does that? Pretentious and self-centered people who could care less about what the guests have to go through to get there.” Justin smiled with a wink. “Not to mention Mexico. Half of his family refused to come because they were worried the cartel would somehow kidnap them and hold them hostage or some such stupid shit.”

“Things like that do happen.”

Justin rolled his eyes.

She stood from her bar stool and straightened her shirt. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go back to my hotel now and avoid putting my foot any farther down my mouth.” She grabbed her drink, needing it now more than ever, and turned to make her exit.