A Short Engagement by Alina Jacobs

Author:Alina Jacobs [Jacobs, Alina]
Language: eng
Format: epub

The engagement party—or what I assumed was the engagement party, because what else could it be?—was in full swing when I arrived at the restaurant that evening. I had spent the rest of the day fuming about Brea, because it was easier than stewing about how Wes had come out of the ordeal from a couple years ago completely unscathed, while I hadn’t.

It was your own fault, I reminded myself. Still, if things hadn’t gone to shit, maybe this would have been my engagement party.

“I thought you hated weddings,” a feminine voice piped up.

I looked down. There was a giant platter of snacks beside me.

Brea peeked around it, and I glared at her.

“Your face is going to stick like that if you keep scowling. You’re going to be sad when you get wrinkles.”

“Don’t you have a wedding to plan?” I growled at her. As if this evening couldn’t get any worse.

“Shhh!” she said and jerked her head toward Liz and Wes, who were making their way to the small stage at the front of the room.

Of course, I was right.

Brea noisily crunched a coconut fried shrimp next to me as Wes gazed adoringly at Liz.

“They’re so cute!” Brea whispered beside me. “I hope she lets me make her gown! I love wedding dresses!”

I shot her an annoyed look.

“When you do make some woman happy—or miserable, going off of your expression—I can make her a pretty dress too!” she shot back in a low voice.

“Liz,” Wes said, voice echoing around the restaurant through the sound system, “two years ago, you stole my company and my heart. Though we fought initially, your coming into my life was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t wait any longer, so I’m asking you to be my wife.”

He knelt in front of her. Next to me, Brea cheered and jumped up and down as Liz, eyes shining with tears, said yes.

“You can’t tell me you aren’t moved by the wedding spirit!” Brea said, nudging me as Wes picked Liz up to kiss her and twirl her around.

I shifted on my feet. How much longer did I have to stay? I supposed I needed to at least congratulate the happy couple. I gritted my teeth as Liz, beaming, took the microphone.

“Uh…ha ha! I’m so glad Wes asked me to marry him, because he’s right, he literally could not wait.” She gulped then gamely smiled. “We’re pregnant!”

The room was dead silent. Then people started cheering and screaming and hugging each other.

No.

“Yes!” Brea said happily. “A baby! Don’t you love babies?”

“I’m not a kid person,” I said flatly.

Could have been you.

But you fucked up.

Liz and Wes were beaming as they descended the stairs from the stage to receive well-wishes. I squared my shoulders and tried to ignore Brea as I made my way up to the happy couple.

“Congrats, Liz,” I told her, giving her a hug. “That’s wonderful news.”

“I’m going to be an uncle!” my cousin, Grant Holbrook, boomed, throwing his arms around his half brother.

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