Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Dahlia,
If you want to help someone, start by working on yourself.
Aren’t you still living at home?
Everett
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Please Open Me in Private…
FUCK. YOU.
FIVE
Everett
The audacity. The gall. The disrespect.
This woman had some fucking nerve.
“Is everything alright?” Carmen squeezed my hand as the pilot shut the doors. “You’ve been pretty pissy all day.”
“The word ‘pissy’ is putting it mildly.” Leo looked up from his newspaper. “He’s been an asshole, you mean.”
“Sorry.” I picked up my bourbon glass and tossed it back. “Just one of those days.”
“Probably a bad stock market day,” The two of them spoke in unison. Then, they ignored me and talked amongst themselves as the plane began to take off.
I couldn’t believe Dahlia’s first time reaching out to me in years would be about my relationship. I’d always figured it’d be an apology.
She still owed me one for fucking up our relationship.
Her abandoning me didn’t make any sense…
“Ohhh! We have a new RSVP to our engagement party!” Carmen danced in her seat, snapping me out of my thoughts. “And it’s a yes!”
“Are you planning to do that every time someone says they’re coming?” I smiled at her.
“Of course, I am,” she said. “It’s exciting to see the number go up every day.”
“Who was it?”
“It’s someone from your side of things.” She pointed to her screen. “Mr. Calvin Hill.”
“My high school gym teacher?”
“Yeah, and his wife. How cute is that?”
“It’s not ‘cute’ at all…” I didn’t remember inviting him. “We don’t have to invite every person I’ve ever been in contact with to the party. They’ll see us around town eventually.”
“And then they’ll ask why we didn’t invite them.” She gave me a pointed stare. “That’s rude, and it’s not like we can’t afford it.”
“It’s not about affording things. It’s about inviting people we actually know.”
“That’s what the actual wedding invites are for,” she said, rubbing my shoulder. “This is just a party, remember?”
“I’m going to refill my drink.” I stood up and headed to the back of the plane.
As I opened a new decanter, Leo walked toward me and held out an empty glass.
“Ooop!” Carmen yelled from her seat again. “We have two more yeses for the party!”
“Are you sure about this?” Leo asked, his voice low.
“This?”
“Getting married to a girl you’ve only known for seven months.”
“I’ve known Carmen for six months.”
“Even better.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “I mean, I know you two were friends for longer than that, but you don’t have to rush.”
“The wedding isn’t until next year, Leo,” I said. “I’ll be fine. I’m just frustrated.”
“I can sense that.” He was talking to me like I was one of his therapy patients. “Is it about the engagement or something else?”
“Something else.” I gritted my teeth.
“Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Want to write it down on a napkin and let me read it?”
“Hell no.”
“Okay, then.” He filled his drink to the top. “Just know that I’m here for you, man. Whenever you need me, no matter what it is. Even if you want to turn this plane around and delay going back home, I’m with you, friend.”
“Leo?”
“Yeah?”
“Get the fuck back to your seat.”
“I can do that, too.” He laughed and walked away.
I sipped the alcohol slowly and let it burn its way down my throat, vowing not to let Dahlia and her ridiculous emails cross my mind again.
SIX
The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of
Carmen Ashley Reese
&
Everett Anderson
Saturday, April 19, 2025
at half past four in the afternoon
The White Oak Estate
180 Windstone Cove
Eads River, TN
Dinner and dancing to follow
Please RSVP with your dinner selection via everettandcarmenforever@gmail.com
Also, in honor of our theme, please share how the bride or groom know you.
SIX & A HALF
Dahlia
Subject: RSVP
I would like to RSVP for the wedding on behalf of the Letters & Blooms staff.
Party of four. Chicken for all, please.
Dahlia Foster
P.S. I met the groom in high school. We dated for a while, but it wasn’t meant to be. Looking forward to the big day!
Subject: Re: RSVP
Dahlia,
What part of “I don’t want to see you at my wedding” was unclear for you?
Don’t embarrass yourself by trying to show up. I will personally ensure that security won’t let you through the doors.
Feel free to get your chicken from the closest KFC.
Subject: Fwd: Re: RSVP
Fuck you, Everett.
I’m trying to be cordial, since my mom’s garden IS handling all the arrangements for this ill-fated event.
Speaking of which, I know you’re wealthy and all these days, but spending half a million on flowers is overkill…
P.S. Did you invite any of Carmen’s secret lovers to the wedding? Do they get special seats?
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: RSVP
I don’t remember you being the jealous type when we were together.
How unfortunate.
Nonetheless, how I spend half a million dollars is none of your business. But since I spent that on a new car last week, I think I’ll be fine.