I heard her. I just didn’t listen.
I wish to God I had.
Part Four: Little Things
Kristen didn’t exactly fade into the background.
When the photographer called for “the bride’s parents,” Tom stepped forward. Kristen stepped forward with him.
The photographer lowered his camera with a polite, practiced smile. “Just Mom and Dad for this one, please.”
Kristen immediately started to back away, her cheeks going pink. But Tom caught her arm.
“She’s fine,” he said.
Kristen glanced at Emma. It was a strange look. Almost as if she were checking. Asking permission.
Emma hesitated for the briefest moment. Then she smiled.
“It’s fine.”
Click.
Standing just beside me, Sophie breathed a single word. “Unbelievable.”
It didn’t stop there.
A little later, while the wedding planner was double-checking the place cards, I overheard Kristen telling her that Tom really ought to be seated closer to the bride.
Emma overheard too.
“It’s fine where he is,” she said lightly.
Kristen smiled. “Oh, of course. I was just trying to help.”
And then, during cocktails, I spotted Kristen standing by the DJ booth, leaning in to speak with him. She had a folded piece of paper in her hand.
