If You Only Knew(94)

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about!”

“Well, I do hate Adam! He hurt you! He broke your heart!”

“So what are you going to do?” I snap. “Make my life worse because the two people I love best can’t stand each other?”

“No. No.” She takes a sharp breath, her lips tightening. “I’ll forgive him, but not because of him. Because of you. It’s going to take some time. I can’t just forgive and forget. I mean, have you forgiven Owen?”

My head jerks back. “Owen married someone else and popped out a baby. So no, I haven’t forgiven him. He didn’t see the error of his ways.” God, that sounds so sanctimonious.

“And Adam has?”

“Yes! Is that so hard to believe? I wish I hadn’t told you anything. I’m sorry I dragged you into it, but for the love of God, stop judging us. You know you’d have taken Owen back in a heartbeat. You still would.”

She tips her head in acknowledgment. “That was true for a long time. But it’s not anymore.”

“Why? Because you have a crush on Leo? Be careful there, Jenny. He’s going to break your heart next. You always see what you want to see. Don’t be naive.”

“Isn’t that a tiny bit hypocritical? You thought a crotch shot was tree fungus.”

We have never fought before. Bickered, yes, when we were teenagers, over using up all the hot water, or borrowing clothes without permission. But not like this. This is getting ugly. I can feel my heart tremble with the ugliness of it, but I don’t know what else to say.

Mercifully, Andreas knocks. “The future Mrs. Brewster is here!” he coos, and in comes Kimber, Jared’s mom and a lady I’ve never met.

“Oh, hey!” Kimber cries happily. “Rachel! Hi, Jenny! Mom, this is Rachel Carver, one of my bridesmaids! And this is the amazing Jenny!”

I stand up and give Kimber a hug, press my cheek against Mrs. Brewster’s and shake Kimber’s mom’s hand. “I’m Rachel,” I say. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Allegretti.”

“Oh, it’s not Allegretti. It’s Puchalski. Kimber’s dad passed away when she was just a little thing, and after a while, I got remarried, but it didn’t work out, so... Well. Too much information, right? Anyway, it’s really nice to meet you. Call me Dorothy.”

Mrs. Brewster, as usual, is staring at the rest of us as if we’re toads.

I immediately like Dorothy. “Kimber’s told me a lot about you.”

“She’s my darling. My best friend, right, honey?”

“That’s right, Mom. So! Jenny, let’s get going, shall we?” Kimber sees the dress hanging against the wall, and her smile falters.

I look at my sister. Her face is...weird. She says nothing.

“Kimber, your hair!” I say to cover. “You colored it.”

“Yeah, well, I... It’s more appropriate, I think. You know. Brown instead of pink. Right?”

“I loved the pink,” her mom says, getting a glare from Mrs. Brewster. Dorothy raises an eyebrow in return. Good for her. About time someone didn’t lick that woman’s shoes.

“Would anyone like coffee?” Andreas asks.

“No, thank you,” Mrs. Brewster says. “Let’s get this done.” My sister breaks out of her paralysis.

“I’m Jenny,” she says to Dorothy. “Jenny Tate.”

Dorothy flinches, then smiles, though it seems weirdly pained. “Hi!” Her voice is hearty. “Dorothy.”

“We saw each other at the vet’s office that night,” Jenny says. “How’s your bird?”

“Right, right! He’s fine. Thank you. And your friend’s dog?”

“Also fine.” Jenny turns to the bride. “Come into the changing room, Kimber, and let’s see what you think.” She takes Kimber by the arm and steers her off.

“How have you been, Eleanor?” I use Mrs. Brewster’s first name, just because it irritates her. New Rachel doesn’t care. I’ve known the woman since I was five, for the love of God.

“I’ve been well,” she answers. She doesn’t ask how I am.

We wait, mostly in silence. Though Dorothy was initially friendly, she’s tense now. Then again, Mrs. Brewster could make a baby sloth feel tense. Dorothy cracks her knuckles, earning a twitch from Mrs. Snotty.

Then Kimber comes out, and the first word that leaps to mind is puritan.

Kimber smiles uncertainly.

“Oh, baby,” Dorothy says. “You look... Well, you’re beautiful.” Her eyes fill with tears.

“Is it okay?” Kimber asks, her eyes darting between the two mothers.

“It’s fine,” Mrs. Brewster says. “At least we can’t see those hideous tattoos.”

“How rude!” Dorothy snaps.

“And true,” Mrs. Brewster responds, icicles dripping from her tone.

We can’t see any skin, for that matter. The dress is not ugly, per se, but...well, it’s not my sister’s best work.

But Jenny is only looking at Dorothy. Which is weird.

“Jenny, will the actual dress have some detail work on it?” I ask.

“I think it should,” she says, snapping out of her funk. “The satin is stunning, but it’s a little plain, so I was thinking some crystal beading—”