Suddenly, memories of our wedding rehearsal flashed through my mind. James' tie was crooked, and Emily's lipstick was smudged when she tearfully said, "It's so beautiful. I'm so moved."
No wonder James was so picky about changing planners until Emily was brought on board. No wonder the decorations didn't include his favorite baby blue but a plain sky blue. The floral arch didn't feature the lilies he liked, but common perfume lilies. And when his favorite comedian couldn't be the host, he didn't mind Emily stepping in.
With clarity returning, I pulled out my phone and messaged the bar owner, asking him to save tonight's surveillance footage. I had to thank all the business connections I had made.
When I looked up again, Emily raised her glass in a distant toast to me.
"What nerve she has," I said inwardly.
"Oh, Emily, you should have come back sooner. James has been waiting for you for so long," one of James' friends, now a coworker, said with a smirk.
"Exactly, everyone knew about the beautiful couple from our college days," another chimed in.
"It's a bit of a shame, James' getting married, and the bride isn't Emily," yet another added.