“Okay,” she says simply, but it’s forced and hesitant and she pulls her hand from mine and folds them in her lap. She’s thinking, she knows this doesn’t add up.
“Mr. Scott, your car is here,” one of the car attendants informs us.
“Thanks,” I tell him, standing. I wait for Lauren to do the same, and she doesn’t.
“You’re coming right?” I say jokingly but in all honesty I don’t know if she’s coming. She glares at me and rolls her eyes before following the attendant.
This is going to be a long fucking night.
*
Engagement Party Checklist:
Ridiculously large banquet hall, check.
Overly expensive food, check.
Hundreds of people you don’t give a shit about telling you congratulations, check.
Pissed off and annoyed fiancé, check and check.
She knows something is up. She wouldn’t talk to me in the car, she keeps moving when I try to touch her and it’s killing me. My gratefulness to Gwen has expired. Why the fuck would she come here? How dare she show up at my house, threatening to tell my future wife about my past? It’s the past, our future doesn’t include them, nothing before her matters.
Fucking Dexter had to have told her I was engaged, and to show up the day of my engagement party? If Gwen had talked to Lauren, everything would be ruined. My life would be ruined. She’s never looked at me how she is now. With…distrust, like she she’s seeing me as another person. I don’t want her to look at me like, like I’m the villain, she’s never done that before.
Since the incident she’s been distant and quiet the entire ride over. The first time I’ve ever had to flat out tell her a lie.
We both plastered smiles on our faces as we greet a bunch of people we don’t even fucking know. This was all Helen and Dexter’s idea. We shouldn’t even be here, but Lauren lit up at the idea of a big engagement party. Dex didn’t spare any expense, taking the title of best man and running with it. I can’t wait until I get to talk to him about his little game. Sending her the day of my engagement party.
“A toast, to an invaluable part of Crestfield Industries, my friend who I consider my family. Cal Scott and his beautiful future wife Lauren.” Everyone raises their glasses and toasts to us. She looks over at me and we kiss, but it’s different. There’s always been something behind it, pushing its way out of both of us, but right now it seems like she’s pulling instead of pushing. The applause roars throughout the room as glasses clink and pictures are taken. I don’t give a shit about any of it if Lauren isn’t feeling this. I lean over and whisper in her ear.
“Love you, babe.” She smiles at me but it’s weak.
“I love you too.” It’s dry and half-hearted.
Before I can call her on it, Lauren’s Aunt Raven and her best friends are near us.
“You look so beautiful, honey,” her aunt says.
“Cal, extremely dashing as always,” her aunt adds, squeezing my shoulder. I wink at her and she blushes. If I didn’t know any better I’d swear this lady had a crush on me.
“How much did they drop on this? I feel like if I drop a plate I’d be out of a car,” Angela teases.
“What’s wrong, L?” Hillary asks, eyeing me suspiciously. Hillary and I didn’t get off on the right foot but I like her now. She really loves Lauren and is protective of her, I can’t fault her for that even if she acts like a whore.
“Nothing, everything’s fine,” she replies meekly. Everything isn’t fine and I know exactly who to blame.
“I’m going to go talk to Dex,” I say, excusing myself and heading over to Dexter and Helen. I didn’t get a chance to really talk to him since Lauren and I arrived almost thirty minutes into the dinner.
“Excuse me,” Dex says to a flock of buzzards who are only here for a stab at his wallet. I throw my arm over his shoulder as a friendly gesture when I want to pull him into a choke hold.
“Talk to Gwen lately?” I ask, once we’re out far enough away from the crowd.
“I did,” he says simply.
“What’d you tell her?” I ask, smiling tightly.
“I may have mentioned that I was attending your engagement dinner today."
“What the fuck is your problem?" I say, crossing my arms to keep from punching him in the face.
“I didn’t know your engagement was confidential,” he retorts smugly.
“She could have told Lauren everything Dex, and she thinks something is up. She’s distant at our fucking engagement party.”
“Well it’s about time,” he adds with a grin. I scowl at him.