Security grabbed my shoulder, and only then did the realization finally hit me.
This was another cruel joke.
Easton Carter quickly pushed the guards away, forcing a smile and saying to the guests, “Sorry, everyone. Big misunderstanding! She’s my friend. Just a little prank today.”
After the security guards left while grumbling, Easton smoothed the wrinkles on my dress as if he were concerned.
“Wanda, are you okay?”
His friends burst out laughing.
“You really nailed it, Easton! One phone call and she came running!”
“No kidding. This dress looks expensive. Didn’t you say you got her a 99-dollar dress online?”
“She really is a lovesick fool. She paid for her own wedding dress! She must be desperate to marry you!”
The spotlight in the banquet hall lit up my face. The murmuring among the guests grew louder, each word worse than the last.
I felt my heart sink lower and lower.
Easton raised his hand and pretended to scold his friends, “Wanda did me a huge favor today. Show her some respect!”
Then, he turned to me with a gentle smile. “Thank you for helping.”
For a moment, I thought maybe he finally felt a shred of guilt. But then, he rubbed his hands together and said with excitement, “Tina really appreciated what you did for her. When we get married, you’ll be our bridesmaid!”
Then, he leaned in close and whispered, “She even said she wouldn’t mind if you continued hanging around me. Not a wasted trip today, right?”
His friends laughed again.
“Easton, don’t get too close to her or she’ll think you’re into her again!”
“She came running to marry you the second you asked. How many times has she been duped now? She must really love you.”
So, they all knew I had proposed to Easton 99 times.
And each time, he never gave me a decision. He just smiled and told me not to be silly.
In the past, I would’ve run off crying.
But now, I just rubbed my sore shoulder and faced his friends with a slight smile.
“Well, since I’m already here, aren’t you guys going to give me a wedding gift?”
Tina Jones, who had been standing off to the side enjoying the show, looked shocked at my words.
“Wanda, you’re not actually treating this like your wedding, are you? Easton, this is getting out of hand. Did we go too far?”
Tina was the woman Easton loved the most.
He had made fun of me countless times for her sake, and yet she always treated him as a backup.
She had gone through boyfriend after boyfriend, and every time she broke up, she ran back to cry in Easton’s arms.
Easton gently flicked her nose and said, “Babe, don’t worry. She’s just overwhelmed because I had rejected her so many times in the past.”
Then, he glanced sideways at me, his face full of disdain. Even though it lasted just a second, my heart ached like it had been stabbed.
