at her blankly. When she saw that I didn’t bite her fishing–for-connection bait, she turned her attention back to Lilah. “You have a very pretty dress.”
Lilah smiled, easily won over by Rachel’s comment on her dress. She didn’t answer her, but she spun around, twirling several times, to showcase her dress.
“Lilah, do you want to go get a cupcake?” My sister-in-law Destiny grabbed her daughter’s hand.
“Yes, Mommy!”
“Destiny, is she yours?”
“Yep.” My SIL, who was one of the nicest, friendliest, most welcoming people I knew, didn’t even glance in Rachel’s direction.
Destiny had been best friends with my little sister all their lives. She’d had a front-row seat to my life falling apart and the depression that followed.
“I heard you and JJ got married. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Destiny still didn’t look in her direction, she held out her arms and picked Lilah up. I wasn’t sure if Rachel was chilly but my SIL was giving her a Frozen-level cold shoulder. “Do you want Unca Beau to help you pick out your cupcake?”
“Yes!” Lilah cheered.
My family was seriously stepping up tonight and saving me. Everyone was going to get very nice Christmas presents this year.
“Nice to meet you, Lilah,” she said in a high-pitched tone. I may not have spoken to or seen Rachel in the past decade, but I still knew her tells. Her voice went higher whenever she was uncomfortable.
Lilah buried her head in her mom’s shoulder, and I could see the internal battle my SIL was having about whether or not to make Lilah respond.
I figured since Destiny was saving me, I’d return the favor. “Lilah, can you say bye to Miss Rachel?”
“Bye,” my niece said quietly.
We weren’t four feet away when Destiny asked between clenched teeth. “What is she doing here?”
“I don’t know.”
“If I wasn’t a m-o-m”—she spelled—“I’d kick her a-s—”
“Relax, Scrappy-Doo.” I grinned. “I don’t need you to protect me.”
Although, I did appreciate it. Destiny was a true ride-or-die. She’d been a part of our family long before JJ had come to his senses and put a ring on it.
Their wedding was one that I didn’t feel like I was going to throw up halfway through. Destiny’s relationship reminded me of my mom and dad’s which was the epitome of a successful marriage. Destiny was loyal but she was no pushover. She was feisty and always put JJ in his place, but I also knew that she would always take care of my brother. And she was a great mom.
“I know you don’t need me to protect you. But she should not just be allowed to show up here like this.”
“Where? In the church she grew up in?”
“Okay, don’t go all youth pastor on me.”
We both started laughing. When I was younger, before I’d had my short stint as a boy band member, Harmony and Destiny used to tease me mercilessly that I was going to be a youth pastor because I always had my guitar with me and was singing.
“Which one, Unca Beau?” Lilah asked as we stood at the table filled with cupcakes.
“The pink one.” I pointed to it.
She started to reach for it, but I swiped it first. I bent down so I was at eye level with her. “The pink one’s for me.” I clutched it to my chest. “You know pink is my favorite color.”
“Pink’s my favorite color!” Lilah disputed.
“Oh, that’s right. I keep forgetting.” I smiled and handed it to her.
When I stood back up, I felt eyes on me and looked around. I could see that people were talking about the fact that Rachel was here and watching me to see how I was reacting. I decided that maybe being here wasn’t worth it. I didn’t want to take away from Bentley and Maisy’s day.
I’d find the happy couple, wish them well, and take off. I scanned the room but instead of finding the bride and groom my eyes fell on a woman who I’d never seen before. She had dark hair that fell loosely around her shoulders, olive skin, and bright blue eyes that held my gaze like a tractor beam.
She wore a royal blue sundress with skinny straps that set on her shoulders. The cut of the neckline was low enough to show a little cleavage, but not so low Mrs. Scoggs would take issue with it. The material was loose, but hugged her figure in all the right places showcasing her petite curves. And there was a slit up one side that hit mid-thigh. Her leg was tanned and