When Evie’s best friend Jade’s wedding date arrives, she is eager to go. However, as the wedding approaches, rumors about Evie’s spouse, James, spread, including the fact that he has been uninvited. What secrets lie between the rumors? Most importantly, are they true? Jade and I have been friends for years. Our families used to live across the street from one another, so we grew up together. From babies to high school, we were inseparable.

And when college came along, we went the long-distance route. “We’re going to be friends until we’re old and gray and knitting scarves for our grandchildren,” Jade always said. I also believed her, especially since she made a strong attempt to maintain our friendship. Even when I was married four years ago, Jade served as Maid of Honor with my sister and was an integral part of the entire process.

Now, Jade’s wedding is just a few days away, and I’m a bridesmaid. We had been great friends for many years, therefore she had invited my family to celebrate her special day. “Everyone?” I asked her to be sure she knew what she was doing. “Everyone!” she said, giggling. “Evie, they’ve all been in my life since we were youngsters. Especially your grandmother. Remember all the toasted cheese sandwiches she cooked for me throughout the years? “That was the best comfort food I’ve ever had.”

We came closer to the wedding date, and I was in charge of the large bridal party dinner a week before. “Matthew and I don’t want to do the traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties, Evie,” Jade responded. “We want something more classy.” I sat down with her and took notes; Jade was obstinate; she knew precisely what she wanted, and if I didn’t pay attention to her, I’d screw things up.

“Tell me what type of event you’d like,” I said. “Just something elegant.” But also cozy. A supper with plenty of alcohol options.” “And the guests?” I asked, taking notes. “Just the bridal party,” Jade explained. “But no parents, because Matthew will hold back from having fun if they are around. He doesn’t enjoy himself because he believes that if he demonstrates that he is having fun, his parents will not respect him.

That seemed completely ludicrous. But Matthew was a scientist, and he was unusual. For Jade, he was ideal, but he could be rigid. “He’s not like James,” she said, sniggering. I had no idea what my husband was doing with it. But I was aware that Jade had a love/hate connection with James. Jade loved him on certain days, and they got along like a house on fire, but there were also times when she was merely polite to him.

The supper went without a hitch. Jade looked stunning in a white dress, which was the theme for the activities leading up to the wedding. We all partied all night, reminiscing about the past, while a tipsy Jade sent my husband to the 24/7 grocery for s’mores ingredients. “Please, James,” she pleaded, holding my arm. “Please can you get the bride-to-be some chocolate and marshmallows?”

My husband, who had been drinking, eventually gave in and hired a taxi to drive him to the supermarket. “I’ll be back soon,” he replied. When James returned, the s’mores were prepared to fulfill Jade’s appetites beneath the night sky. Everything was perfect.  After that, something shifted, and I was left wondering whether Jade cherished our friendship.

Two days before the wedding, I sat at home with a cup of coffee and considered calling Jade. I remembered my nervousness kicking in around that time. I adored my husband and couldn’t wait to marry him — but I despised being the center of attention. “Hey, Jade,” I said when she responded. “I just wanted to congratulate you again! And I can’t wait to see you at the end of the aisle.

Jade chuckled. “Thank you so much!” She gushed, breaking away to speak with someone in the background. “Listen, Evie,” she stated. “While you’re here, I have one thing to ask you.” “Anything!” “I said.” “It appears like the bridesmaid constitution requires me to do everything you ask. “Without question.” “I’m glad you think that,” she added. “Because this is really important to me.”

“What?” I questioned her, hoping she would simply spit it out. “Please do not bring James to the wedding.” “Please,” she urged. Why wouldn’t my husband attend the wedding? My whole family was supposed to be there. “What? Why?” I exclaimed, spilling my coffee. “Um, Evie,” she said. “Oh, wait! “I need to run.” With that, Jade ended the conversation.

I didn’t get any of it. Why is my husband not invited to the wedding? Especially since Jade was the one who first introduced us. And she had played an important role in our wedding. My thoughts raced. I couldn’t understand where Jade was coming from. All I knew was that my chest had gotten heavy, and I was becoming anxious.
I was alone at home, so I took a bubble bath to settle my anxieties.

We had a pre-wedding celebration later that day – all of the bridesmaids were getting their nails done, with Jade picking on the colors and designs. I had been looking forward to it all week because it meant some time for myself, and I also enjoyed simply conversing with the girls. But after our phone talk, I wasn’t sure if I should go. Has anything transpired between James and Jade?

My spouse would never do that to me, particularly with my best friend. I decided to gather my courage and drive to the manicure salon to meet the other bridesmaids. Everyone was sitting around, sipping mimosas. Jade wasn’t present. “Where’s Jade?” I asked Whitney, her cousin, as I sat down. “No clue,” she answered, putting her phone away. “And how are you holding up, Evie?”

What does this mean? I thought to myself. “I’m fine, why?” I responded. “Well, I heard that James had been uninvited to the wedding,” Whitney replied. “I didn’t know if you would still be a part of the party when you heard.” “What?” I exploded. “Why? “What did James do?” Whitney looked at me with wide eyes. “You didn’t know?” “Jade called this morning and told me not to bring him, but I had no idea why. I hoped to see her here and clear things.”

“I’ll tell you what I know,” she stated. Apparently, Jade had been denigrating my husband behind my back, suggesting he was inappropriate for me. And she did not want him to ruin her lovely day. “She said James drinks a lot, too,” Whitney explained. “Does he have any problems? Because Jade stated that she did not want him to produce a scene and embarrass everyone.

I was floored. I was shocked by what I had just heard. That made no sense to me. Jade was the one who had been a tipsy mess during dinner, insisting that my husband go and satisfy her cravings. “I’m here!” Jade remarked this as she walked through the nail salon entrance. I addressed her, seeking the truth amidst the terrible allegations that were definitely circulating.

Jade disputed everything, claiming that it was all a misunderstanding, but the harm had already occurred. Despite her assurances, the trust between us had weakened. That evening at home, James and I ate pizza on the couch while I told him what had transpired. “I don’t get it, love,” he replied. “Jade has issues.” I couldn’t disagree.

“Did anything happen?” I asked James, expecting my spouse would be frank and honest with me. “During the s’more incident, she mentioned that she hoped her relationship with Matthew was more like ours. That is it. I believe she felt humiliated when she realized what she had said. That’s about it. Is all of this the result of a drunken thought?

I was completely bewildered. Finally, I went to Jade’s wedding on my own, which was a difficult decision for me. But James had encouraged me to do so. “I know you’re hurt,” he continued. “But you should leave. Go for the years of friendship you two shared. It’s crucial, Evie.” I donned one of my own outfits instead of serving as a bridesmaid. Jade understood exactly what she had done. She should be grateful that I attended her wedding at all.

“Besides, your entire family is invited,” James added. “Go and gossip about people’s outfits with your gran.” It was a lovely ceremony, and even though our friendship was deteriorating, I was relieved that Jade had found someone. Even if she preferred him to be more like my spouse. Reflecting on the situation, I’m left attempting to comprehend the dynamics of friendship and the agony of being betrayed by someone you believed you knew better than anyone.

After the ceremony, James picked me up and we went to get ice cream and waffles. He asked me, “Are you glad you went?” “I’m glad it’s over,” I said. Even now, I’m not sure whether I was referring to the wedding or our friendship.