way? She couldn’t remember that much warmth, that much pure adoration ever shining in those blue eyes. Maybe she’d just forgotten to remember.
Tennyson tugged Melanie’s arm. “Come on. Bring your gift.”
Melanie pulled away. She didn’t want everyone to watch Emma open her gift, and since it was for Emma only, it seemed wrong to have her open it here. She hadn’t thought to get something for Andrew. The bracelet would have been better on the wedding day or at the rehearsal dinner. “No, I’ll give mine later. You go ahead.”
She couldn’t imagine what Tennyson had gotten Emma and Andrew that could top the elaborate shower. The flowers had to have set the woman back at least ten grand, and Melanie could only guess what the catering bill would be. But maybe Tennyson would get some money back on Cesar since he’d bailed.
Tennyson stepped toward the couple, her smile almost crocodilian. Melanie knew Tennyson’s stage presence was perfectly in place. “I couldn’t even begin to put into words how much I love this boy. That he would find the perfect girl for him has always been my fervent prayer. I’m not going to lie, at first, I wondered how this could work.”
The crowd issued a little chuckle because some of them had been at Melanie’s wedding and knew the discord between Tennyson and Melanie. Some laughed because everyone else had, and they had no clue why Emma and Andrew marrying was . . . well, nuts.
“But”—Tennyson turned to Emma and tucked a glossy strand of hair behind Melanie’s daughter’s ear. It was a tender demonstration of her approval of Emma. Melanie tried not to roll her eyes at the affectation. “I can’t think of a more fitting wife for Andrew. In less than two months, I will gain a daughter, and my heart is very full.”
So over the top. So Teeny. But at the same time, it was sort of sweet to see Tennyson care about Emma that much.
“Emma will be starting medical school in a few weeks. She knows how to cut it close,” Tennyson said with a laugh, giving Emma an indulgent smile. “And Andrew has a new job, so a true honeymoon is impossible at present. Still, everyone deserves a few weeks of alone time when they’re newly married. Since fall break comes at the most beautiful time off the coast of Amalfi, I thought a trip to Italy would be the perfect belated honeymoon.”
Emma’s mouth fell open, and Andrew laughed. “Seriously?”
All the gathered guests oohed and aahed, then broke into applause. Melanie finally closed her agape mouth.
A trip to Italy?
Motherfu . . . ugh. Of course Tennyson had bought them an Italian honeymoon.
Melanie could never measure up to Tennyson. The woman would always outdo her. From the wedding to grandchildren to her funeral, Tennyson would always have the best ideas, presents, vacations, and casket. Melanie would never be able to compete.
And she never had. Tennyson had always commanded the attention of the room, she’d always turned heads, she’d always won whatever she’d set out to win, whether it was the library’s summer reading contest or head cheerleader. Now it was evident as her former friend stood in the middle of the most ridiculous bridal shower in the history of Shreveport, looking ten years younger than Melanie, splashing thousands upon thousands of dollars around, that Melanie would always be the dark horse.
Sometimes the dark horse won.
And sometimes they broke their leg on the track.
Tennyson took the envelope from Marc and handed it to Andrew. “Congratulations, sugar. I hope you make the best memories in Italy.”
Emma and Andrew beamed at each other as they opened the envelope, gasping over the first-class flight to Rome and the five-star accommodations. Melanie was happy for her daughter for receiving a honeymoon of a lifetime. She wasn’t that petty. But still. The gift was meant to show off what Tennyson could and would do.
It was at that moment that Melanie’s mother appeared beside her. “Melanie, we must go.”
“Wow, when you said you would leave after Emma opened presents, you weren’t kidding,” Melanie said, turning to her mother. Sandy was with her, her cute sequined clutch in hand. Both their expressions alarmed her. “What? What’s wrong?”
“We have to go to the hospital.” Anne’s mouth flatlined with annoyance.
“Someone called your mother from University Health. They just brought your sister there by ambulance,” Sandy said, putting a comforting hand on Melanie’s mother’s shoulder.
Anne brushed off Sandy’s hand and started toward the lit path. “I told you