Page 26 of Let’s Be Real

With that barb poorly wrapped in niceties, she pulled me through the crowd. My mother had always been surprisingly strong, despite her diminutive size, so I didn’t put up a fight.

Not that I would have. Not in public.

In private either. She’d trained me well.

Kelly was standing with Josh and a few older relatives. At first, Kelly didn’t move when we approached. After a hard glare from our mother, she stepped forward, giving me a brief hug.

“Glad you could make it,” she muttered beside my ear.

“Me too. You look beautiful.”

Josh was slightly more warm, his hug lingering. He had a knack for that. Hugging too long. Standing too close. Looking too hard. “Lovely as always, Samantha.”

“Thanks, Josh.”

I took one step back, and Josh’s hold on me slid down my arms an inch at a time, his gaze trailing over my body.

Then Nate was there, pulling my back against his chest, his hand resting possessively on my hip.

Taking his boyfriend job seriously.

Introductions went around, with Nate’s last name bringing more interest than they’d ever had in me. My father appeared from nowhere, and our small group quickly split into two as Josh and my father peppered Nate with investment questions, leaving me with my mom and Kelly. They started discussing bouquets and caterers while I stood with them, crunching on the ice from my drained glass.

Weddings were a big deal. There were a lot of moving parts, especially one like Kelly’s, where everyone was coming in from out of town. There were events all weekend and a million different things that had to go smoothly. It made sense they had to discuss it. Really, what else could they have talked about?

Kelly and I hadn’t spoken in ages, but this weekend wasn’t about me. When a waiter passed, I grabbed a canapé from her tray then a flute of champagne from the waiter who soon followed.

The melon and prosciutto were delicious, and the champagne went down smoothly. Though I expected no less from a party thrown by Marla Blackwell. When it came to her events, she threw herself in wholeheartedly.

“—right, Samantha?”

I lowered my glass from my mouth. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

My mother huffed with impatience. “I said you won’t show up wearing white tomorrow, right?”

“Uh, no. Why would I?”

“Exactly.” Kelly flung her hand wildly. “I simply can’t believe Georgia thought her dress was appropriate. Even Samantha knows better.”

I ignored the dig, following their gazes to my brother’s wife seated by herself on the other side of the patio. Her floral sundress stretched over her round belly, which she was using as a table to balance a plate.

“She looks nice,” I managed to say around the ball of hurt lodged in my throat. I hadn’t known she was pregnant. No one had bothered to tell me.

“Nice? She’s wearing white,” Kelly hissed.

My brows drew together. Sure, the background of her dress was white, but it was mostly covered in a vibrant floral pattern. I really didn’t see the problem.

“I don’t think anyone will mistake her for the bride. It’s barely even white.”

Kelly’s face turned bright red, and my mother grabbed my wrist again. This time, much tighter. I should have been prepared. I should have been used to it by now. After all, this was her spot. Most of my childhood had been spent with a cuff of bruises around my wrist.

Tonight, however, I hadn’t been ready. My bones creaked in her grip, taking my breath away for a moment.

“That’s not helpful, Samantha,” she admonished. “White is off-limits.”

“I understand.” I blinked several times to keep from wincing at how hard my mother was squeezing me. “I can see why that might upset you, Kelly. But everyone is looking at you tonight.”

My sister rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why Decker had to get her pregnant before my wedding. They could have waited until after, but nooo, he had to find a way to make it about him.”