"Yeah, but I already knew you were lame," Kendra said. "Penny, you're getting married. And you're telling me you only slept with two guys?!"
"Well, that's not true," Melissa said. "She's slept with three guys." Melissa was staring at me. She looked like she was about to cry. "Right?"
Fuck."Oh, I mean, yeah, I guess. It's three. I don't know what I was thinking." I was thinking I didn't want to talk about this.Shit.
The tray of waters had just arrived at our table. I grabbed one and took a huge sip. My head was too fuzzy to think straight.
"How mysterious," Bee said. "It must be someone she wishes she hadn't slept with. Who was it, Penny? You have to tell us now. I'm sure Melissa will if you don't."
I kept my mouth shut.
"She slept with Tyler during one of the many times she broke it off with James," Melissa said. "Or he broke it off with her. I don't remember which. They were so toxic at first. All they did was fight. Isn't that right, Penny?"
I fidgeted with the bachelorette sash.
Bee's eyes had gotten a little bigger. Kendra and Marie were looking back and forth between Melissa and I.
"So, you really thought Tyler was that bad in bed?" Melissa asked. "You didn't even remember you slept with him? I certainly remember."
"No, it wasn't that. I just thought..."
"That talking about it is awkward?" Melissa took another shot of vodka. "The fact that you slept with my boyfriend isn't awkward at all. The fact that the two of you hang out all the time is super normal. Right?" she said and looked at everyone else at the table.
Kendra cleared her throat. "Next up on the list..."
"Where is Tyler on your scale, Penny? Now I'm just super curious." Melissa's face was bright red. I had been trying to avoid this. I didn't want to fight with her again. Tonight had been going so well.
"I don't know. It was so long ago..."
"God, just tell me."
"Below James." What was she expecting me to say?
"So, he's not as good as James? You're such a bitch."
"No, Tyler's really good in bed. I just...I'm in love with James."
"So, you think Tyler's great in bed? What, do you still fantasize about him or something? You're the worst friend ever."
"Melissa." An exasperated laugh escaped my lips. "What do you want me to say? I had sex with Tyler once almost three years ago. He wasn't your boyfriend then. You didn't even like him. You were dating Josh. And I can't take it back. There isn't anything I can do about it."
"You can stop hanging out with him."
"Fine. Okay. I won't hang out with him anymore. Tyler and I are officially no longer friends. Happy? Is that really what you want me to say?"
"Yeah, that would make me happy."
"Melissa! He's one of my best friends. Why can't you just get over this? It shouldn't be that big of a deal. Tyler and I are past it. Come on."
"Yes, he's one of your friends. But I'm your best friend. Your friendship with me should matter more than it does with him. Why are you holding on to him? Girls and boys can't just be friends."
"Yes they can. I'm friends with Rob and Matt. And I'm friends with Mason." I pointed to Bee. "I was friends with him before he even met Bee, and she doesn't hate that I hang out with him."
"That's because you didn't sleep with him. You can't be friends with Tyler if you want to remain friends with me. You can't. I can't handle it."
Everyone at the table was silent for a minute. I was blinking fast, trying to hold back the tears.
Marie cleared her throat.
