Unmasking Everyone on Their Wedding (Teresa Hopkins) novel Chapter 1

A childhood friend of mine was back in town for his wedding.

He got a few of us together for a get-together and brought his fiancée along.

The moment his fiancée walked into the private room and saw me, she frowned.

Confused, I stood up to introduce myself.

"I'm a friend of Asher's from elementary school—we grew up in the same neighborhood. It's great to meet you."

But she just scoffed.

"So you're Asher's 'girl best friend,' huh?"

"Dressing that provocatively—are you trying to show me up?"

I was completely floored by her comment.

I looked down at what I was wearing.

My skirt went past my knees, and I only had on a little makeup.

How is this provocative?

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Asher, seeing things were going south, quickly stepped in to play peacemaker.

"Hailey's just really direct, she doesn't always think before she speaks. Don't take it personally..."

I wasn't an idiot; I could feel the hostility rolling off her.

But all our friends were there.

Asher was getting married in two days.

After twenty years of friendship, I couldn't be the one to ruin the party.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to explain to Hailey.

"You're reading way too much into this. Why would I need to show you up? Asher and I are just friends. Everyone here can tell you that."

But Hailey just sneered.

"Friends? Please. There's no such thing as a 'platonic' friendship between a guy and a girl."

"It's just an excuse to be flirty and keep something going on the side."

Before I could even get a word in,

she pointed at the necklace around my neck.

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