ChapterOne
For the last five years, three months, and two days, there had been one bright and shining benefit to Delaney Winters’ father’s arrest for a Ponzi scheme. Being an outcast from the upper-crust society she was born into had limited the number of invitations she’d received to almost nil.
Except for this one.
You’re invited!
Caroline and Matthew are finally getting married!
Please join the happy couple for a week on Whitby Island prior to the wedding for fun, sun, and the reunion of old friends.
Current partners may arrive for the rehearsal dinner.
On the bulletin board next to her desk in her small office in the bowels of the Elizabeth Stanley Museum of Art, Delaney could read the silver script flowing across the parchment of the wedding invitation. Propped in the ornately decorated bridesmaid’s survival box, there was a schedule of wedding events for the guests, wedding favors, and a map of the island. She didn’t need the map, having spent many summers there, but the itinerary was a problem, not to mention the guest list. Ever since Caroline had shown up out of the blue and asked Delaney to be her maid of honor, Delaney had been scrambling for a way to avoid the embarrassment of seeing her former friends and reliving the shame of her past. But Caroline was like a tennis pro, calmly refuting every excuse with another volley.
Delaney had always sucked at tennis.
Now, with exactly one week to go, she was out of excuses, out of time, and out of her mind to consider attending. Not that she could cry off now. It was far too late for that. If it was only the rehearsal dinner and wedding, she’d survive, easy peasy. But no, it was a whole week of fun, sun, and a reunion of people who had once been her closest friends, people she had pushed away and avoided for five years. People who probably resented the hell out of her for her withdrawal from their lives.
Delaney refocused her attention from the past back to the present and studied the bride perched calmly in the chair facing her desk, hands folded in her lap, watching Delaney with a cool arch of her perfectly manicured eyebrow.
“I like what you’ve done with your office.”
Delaney followed her gaze around the small basement office, her cage for the past few years. It was small and tight, almost claustrophobic, but it was also comforting down here, out of the way of the regular museum patrons and workers. It was just enough room for her position as manager of the docents, a thankless job really, but critical to the running of the museum tours. No one cared about the docents, unless they didn’t show up for their tours on time. Otherwise, she was forgotten. And that was perfect for her. A perfect hiding place. So what if she felt trapped sometimes, as if the walls and her life were closing in on her and the world was moving on without her, leaving her behind?
It was better than the alternative.
She only smiled, the same fake mask she had been wearing for five years. “Caroline, why are you here? We’re getting together in less than a week.” Along with everyone else from her past.
“I know. I just wanted to check in.” Unsaid was the fact that she was checking in to make sure Delaney didn’t bail at the last moment. Caroline’s hands twisted on her lap, tangling themselves in the strap of her Louis Vuitton handbag. “You did remember to take the week off, right?”
“Of course. How could I forget when you’re getting married?” Her cheeks were starting to hurt from the strain of the smile.
“Good. I know you’re worried about seeing everybody next Saturday. I really appreciate you standing by me and being my maid of honor.”
Delaney almost laughed. It was the other way around, and Caroline damn well knew it. Delaney was the charity case, nothing else. If Delaney hadn’t known any better, she would’ve thought Caroline had asked her to be her maid of honor as a cruel joke. But, damn it, Caroline just didn’t have it in her. Caroline could never truly be a nasty society bitch. Delaney should know. She’d written the manual.
The moment deserved a joke. “I haven’t done anything yet, Caroline. Who knows? I may not even show up next week.”
Caroline smiled, a knowing gleam in her eyes. “Yes, I know that’s tempting for you, so I came today, to make sure our plans are all set for next week.” Caroline reached into her bag, pulled out a large envelope, and handed it to Delaney. “Here’s the bridal party’s schedule for the week, starting on Sunday. I also included a ticket for transportation to the island. And don’t worry, I know how afraid you are of the ferry. I chartered you a plane to the small airfield on the island.”
Delaney opened the envelope, then stopped as the ticket slid out. “Thank you. But, honestly, I don’t need it. I can get myself to the island. And I was only joking before.”
Caroline leaned forward and laid a hand on Delaney’s arm. “I know. Considering I asked everyone out there a week ahead of time, this is my bride’s gift to each of you. And your attendance is your gift to me. It’s nonnegotiable.” A hint of steel threaded its way through Caroline’s words, reminding Delaney that while Caroline was a sweet person, she always got her way. Maybe that was what made her such a great fund-raiser.
Delaney withdrew the folder from the envelope and opened it, riffling through the papers. “Caroline, what did you do? This is more than just a ticket ride.”
“I’m so glad you asked.” Caroline stood and began pacing the small office, her hands making excited gestures. “It’s been five years, Delaney. Five years since we’ve all been together. I miss those days. Oh, not going back to college, but the friendship. Our time ended badly, not anybody’s fault, but it ended. We all swore we’d stay friends, but we didn’t. As the bride, I’m allowed a little latitude. And we also know, what the bride wants, the bride gets. I want my friends together for one last vacation before my wedding. All of my friends.”
A chill ran up Delaney’s back that had nothing to do with the frigid air conditioner in the office. “All of your friends?” If Caroline had noticed the mouse-like pitch to her voice, she didn’t show it or was too polite to comment.
“Yes, Delaney, all of my friends. You, Anna Maria, and Bridget. The old crew. Who did you think I meant?” Caroline cocked a perfectly manicured eyebrow at Delaney. Perfectly innocent look, although Delaney could swear she saw a hint of mischief in Caroline’s eyes.
“Just the girls?”
This time, Caroline’s gaze shifted away to study the very uninspiring beige ceiling. The tiny chill that had worked up her back now spread into a full-body grip of fear. She tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. She cleared her throat and tried again.
“Is Ethan coming?”