Page 5 of Love, Take Two
"Should we?" I ask, crossing my arms because it seems like the kind of defensive posture the situation calls for. "Or should we just pretend we don't know each other and hope we don't get seated at the same table?"
His laugh is low and familiar and does absolutely nothing good for my blood pressure. "Something tells me that's not going to work."
Around us, the party continues, but we're standing in our own bubble of shock and confusion and something that feels dangerously like the flutter of old attraction that I thought had died out years ago.
Eight years. It's been eight years since I've seen Emory Wise, and apparently, the universe has decided this tropical paradise wedding is the perfect place for a reunion.
What could possibly go wrong?
3
EMORY
Holy shit. Vada King stands in front of me at my ex-girlfriend's wedding. My brain short-circuits.
Eight years. It's been eight years since I last saw her, and she looks incredible. Older, but better. Her auburn hair catches the tropical breeze. Those green eyes are as expressive as I remember. She's grown into herself in a way that makes my chest tight with something dangerous.
"What are the chances?" she says, and her voice has that same warm quality that used to make me want to tell her everything.
"Wow, you look amazing," I reply, still trying to process the cosmic joke that has just unfolded.
The reality starts sinking in at the same time for both of us. Her ex is marrying my ex. My college girlfriend is at my ex-girlfriend's wedding to her ex-boyfriend. This is either the universe's idea of a hilarious coincidence or some kind of elaborate prank.
"Emory! Oh my God, what happened?" Erika's voice cuts through my mental fog, and suddenly she's approaching with Jared in tow, both looking concerned about the drink situation.
This is about to get very interesting.
"Everything's fine," I say quickly, stepping slightly to the side so they can see Vada properly. "Just a small collision. No harm done." I pause, realizing I need to explain our connection. "Erika, Vada and I. We, uh, we went to college together."
Jared's expression goes through several interesting changes as he processes this information. "Wait. Vada. Emory. How do you two know each other?"
"We dated," I say, because there's really no point in trying to dance around it. "For about two years in college."
The silence that follows is the kind that makes you hear the ocean waves and steel drum music way too clearly. Erika's eyes widen as she looks between us, and I can practically see the social media possibilities lighting up her brain like a Christmas tree.
"This is incredible," she finally says, her excitement genuine and slightly overwhelming. "This is like, the most amazing coincidence ever. You guys dated, we're getting married, and now you're both here? This is content gold!"
Jared, who has always been more reserved, looks thoughtful rather than excited. "That's... I never heard you mention him," he says to Vada.
"I guess I never felt the need," Vada offers, and I can hear the slight strain in her voice that suggests she's as overwhelmed by this situation as I am. "Life has a sense of humor."
"We have to get photos," Erika continues, her content creator instincts in full swing. "The story of how college sweethearts reunited at their exes' wedding? My followers will die for this narrative."
I catch Vada's eye and see my own mild panic reflected there. Neither of us signed up to become a social media storyline, especially not one that involves our romantic history being broadcast to millions of followers.
"Maybe we should see how the week goes. No need to make a big deal out of a coincidence."
"Are you kidding?" Erika laughs. "This is the best kind of big deal. Organic, authentic, unplanned—"
"VADA!"
The booming voice cuts across our conversation like a foghorn, and I watch Vada's face change in a way that suggests whoever is approaching is not someone she was hoping to see tonight.
A bear of man materializes out of the crowd like a social hurricane, drink in hand and that familiar expression of someone who's about to get his share of attention.
"Oh no," Vada murmurs under her breath, and I find myself stepping closer to her.
"Vada King!" Derek announces, as if he's introducing her to a stadium full of people instead of our small group. "I cannot believe you came. This is incredible. I mean, after the way Jared dumped you in Spokane, I wasn't sure you'd want to watch him get married."
