“Maybe she’s not trying to stop the wedding,” he argued. “She could think she’s protecting Brittany from Heidi and Robin. I’m sure she knows all about how miserable they made her in college. Or she’s showing how indispensible she is to Brittany.”
“That’s possible.” Angie bit down on her bottom lip as she considered his argument. “She’s in charge of all the details.”
“And she is in the perfect position to clear away any evidence.” Cole motioned at Robin’s place setting.
“Brittany doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who picks up after herself,” Angie muttered. Her shoulders tensed. “Uh-oh.”
“What?” He placed a protective hand on her arm.
“Patrick is coming this way,” she said via the side of her mouth, “and he’s got that look on his face. That is not a good look.”
“Angie?” Patrick looked away and nervously rubbed his hand over his mouth. “I really hate to tell you this. I’m sure it’s temporary. Just until Brittany calms down.”
“Just spit it out, Patrick.”
Patrick took a big breath. “Brittany wants you to leave,” he said in a rush.
Angie showed no emotion and gave a short nod. “I can do that. Not a problem.”
“And...” Patrick’s face turned bright red. “You’re banned from the wedding.”
16
“BANNED!” ANGIE SHOUTED as she entered her apartment. She threw her keys on the small table by the door. “Me? I’m banned?”
“I know,” Cole said as he followed her into the loft. He closed the door and leaned against it as he watched Angie pace. “You’ve been chanting that since we left.”
“Banned!” She ripped off her jacket and threw it on the ground. “No one bans Angela Lawson. No one!”
“Brittany has.” He pointed out as he watched her kick off her shoes.
Angie balled her hands into fists. “The nerve of that woman.”
“It’s not just Brittany. Patrick is backing her up.” He hated to mention it but he felt it was necessary. Patrick was going to take Brittany’s side from now on. Angie needed to adapt or risk losing her friend.
“Can you believe it?” She furiously tugged at her ponytail and a second later her hair tumbled free. Cole noted the long tresses as they fell around her neck and shoulders. “He has known me for twenty years. And he sides with that woman.”
“I’m sure everything will be cleared up and all will be forgiven,” he murmured, distracted at how soft and shiny her hair looked. His stomach clenched as he remembered how it felt against his hand and how it swept down his body when Angie was on top.
“Oh, no.” She pointed at Cole. “I am not forgiving her. Or Patrick. And to think I bought them a good wedding present.”
“Look at the big picture,” he suggested, thrusting his hands in his pockets as he watched Angie’s angry strides. “You don’t have to be a bridesmaid anymore.”
She stopped and turned around, her hands on her hips again. “Why aren’t you angry? My best friend just kicked me out of his wedding.”
“I’m happy you’re out of the line of fire.”
“Nothing was going to happen to me,” she insisted, walking up to him. “But don’t you want to go find out if Cheryl is behind this?”
“I can’t prove she did any of it,” he said, quietly watching the emotions flicker in Angie’s eyes. “I have no motive and no weapon. The woman is smart.”
She didn’t budge an inch. “I bet you she’s been poisoning Brittany’s mind about me. It’s because we’ve been asking questions.”
“Or Brittany just doesn’t like you.”
Angie nodded as she considered that. “Yeah, there’s that, too.” She clucked her tongue. “You know, she was right. I am envious.”
“What?” His heart stopped as jealousy, hot and bitter, seized his rib cage.
She gave him a curious look. “Not because she has Patrick. Oh, God, no.”
“Good to know.” He was tempted to rub his knuckles against his chest to ease the pain. “Then what?”
“I’m envious about what she and Patrick have.” She looked away as a bittersweet smile tugged at her mouth. “You and I used to have that. I miss it. I miss having you in my life.”