Page 144 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“But I remember our first date. I took her to the Griffith Observatory…I know, typical LA date. We just stayed there all night and looked up at the stars, the Hollywood Sign, talked about our hopes and dreams, and I realized that I wanted to be that person that helped her get everything she deserves. I’m excited to start the rest of our life tomorrow…although I think the rest of my life started that night.”

The two of them kiss and everyone starts cheering and applauding. But I can’t help shake a gut feeling I have in my core. To openly share that story comes from a place of pure nostalgia, innocence in remembering your early days. I wonder if Chad even knows that Julia was having an affair with him.

“And the reason we wanted to bring everyone together here tonight,” Julia says, her smile slowly inching wider across her face, “is because not only areourlives starting together…” She places her right hand over her belly and my face falls. “But because a new life has started.”

Julia and Chad both hold on to her stomach while the room suddenly fills with gasps and oh my gods and congratulations. People start to squeal and give their well-wishes to Julia’s and Chad’s parents.

I look to Marsh, and he’s pale. The blood has drained from his face in an instant. He’s staring ahead, but he’s no longer here in this room. He’s somewhere else. Somewhere dark and painful.Then as if a switch has been turned on, his chin lifts and he silently claps along with everyone else.

“I can’t tell you all what it means to share this news with you,” Julia adds, and I catch her gaze fall on Marsh. It’s brief, but undeniable. “We are so excited to give this little girl the best life she deserves. And, Chad, I know you are going to be the most amazing father any child could ever ask for.”

The two of them kiss again and Chad and Julia murmur I love yous to each other while the applauding continues. As guests head toward the happy couple for congratulatory hugs, I watch Julia wipe a tear of joy from her eye and I clench my teeth.

I lean toward Marsh. “Did you know?”

His mouth remains tight, the muscles in his jaw working overtime. “No,” he barely says.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Mhm,” he says. “I just need to get another drink.” He stands up and makes his way to the bar and Oliver follows him.

Everyone goes back to their small talk while I make my way toward the hotel lobby and find the closest restroom. I look into the mirror and reapply my lip gloss. Taking a breath, I try to not feel sick by what just happened.

I want to believe that Julia didn’t intend to hurt Marsh, or that her actions weren’t manipulative, but what just happened was cruel. She didn’t need to invite Marsh to her wedding, let alone her rehearsal dinner where she decided to break the news that she’s pregnant. After everything that happened between the two of them, my heart breaks for Marsh and what he just witnessed.

The door then opens and Julia emerges; her face mirrors one of someone who’s seen a ghost—or their ex’s new girlfriend.

“Hi,” she says and then lets out a nervous cough.

“Hi,” I echo as she intentionally chooses the sink farthest awayfrom me. I don’t look at her, but I can practically feel that she’s on edge. Almost like a skunk that’s sprayed to protect themselves.

Julia washes her hands and then takes one of the towels, carefully drying herself. I can see her eight-carat engagement ring from here. She’s wearing a simple formfitting white dress. Her mousy brown hair that I know can’t hold a curl for the life of it is in a low bun. She looks classically beautiful in a Pippa Middleton way.

She’s purposely not saying anything or making eye contact, and I’m not surprised. I was hoping she would prove me wrong, but I think I have a good gauge on people.

It’s then that I catch her eyes through the reflection in the mirror. She subtly does a once-over of me, from the top of my head down to my hips. I’m doing a good job of ignoring her, but then something happens that makes me feel like an officer analyzing footage from a security camera, trying to find the slightest detail on the recorded tape.

Julia rolls her eyes.

“What a lovely speech that was,” I say, breaking the silence like a bell being rung in the middle of a meditation. “Congratulations.”

“Oh,” she says. “Thanks.”

“And, you know,” I continue, “I think it’s so sweet how close you still are with the Oakleys.”

She looks ahead and there’s a plastered grin on her face, almost like it’s rehearsed. “They’re like family.”

“I mean, clearly,” I say to her reflection. “The fact that you went to Sadie’s birthday party…that you invited everyone here to celebrate your new relationship…your new family. That’s so special.”

Julia simply smiles and starts walking toward the door, but I need to know one thing.

“What’s the real reason you invited Marsh?” I ask.

Julia stops in her tracks and turns around to me, a look of offense on her face.

“Excuse me?”

“What’s the real reason you invited Marsh?” I repeat.