30. Alana
Alana
The girls are all in Amanda’s living room. Jenny is playing on her phone in the corner. Waverly is still sleeping in an armchair. Katya is still very drunk and keeps playing with her fingers while staring at the ceiling.
But it’s seeing Amanda and Lena laying on each other on the couch, like two cogs fitting together after being separated for years and finally aligning back up, that makes my heart happy.
Craig comes downstairs and looks at the women all over the floor. “Did anyone bring shame to their families last night?”
“Not that will pop up on the internet.” I grab the coffee pot and pour myself a cup. “You can thank Izzy for that.”
He smiles at me, then his eyes drift over to Amanda. “Did she have fun?”
“I think so.” She's wrapped in a blanket with her head on Lena’s lap. “They’re talking about summer concerts, and since their dates match from time to time, maybe they could do surprise live feeds to each other’s shows.”
“Could you imagine?” Craig pours himself a cup of coffee and brings it to his lips. “The internet would be ruined for the rest of time. Lena and Amanda, let the healing begin.”
I like that. There are so few people who truly understand what either of them are going through at any given moment. I hated that Lena chose me over Amanda. It’s not my world, and I could never support her the way she needed.
“So, why did you do it?” I ask him while leaning against Amanda’s kitchen counter. “You set this all up. Why?”
He looks over at his sleeping girlfriend, and a wistful smile appears on his lips. “I want to marry her.”
“I’d hope so, you’ve been engaged for two years.” I take a long sip of the hot coffee.
He swishes his head from side to side. “Yeah, but she wanted bridesmaids who were her friends, not people who used her for clout or fame. And you were the only one who didn’t. You and Lena.” He doesn’t shift his gaze off her.
Hmm. There’s a warm glow inside my chest, and I don’t think it’s any lingering effects of the alcohol. “Well, game respects game.” I lift my coffee mug toward him, but he gives me a sideways glance.
“Huh?”
“You’re good at this whole setting people up thing, but I'm way better at it.”
“I can attest to that.” Izzy rubs her belly. But Craig’s frown makes me think he doesn’t believe me.
“Oh, okay.”
“How long have you been Amanda’s lighting director for her live events?”
“Four years now. My dad ran the company before he had to step aside due to health issues.”
“And he started?”
“Like ten or eleven years before that. I’m not sure.”
I take another sip of coffee. “Did you know the company who used to do her lights and stage props was from my hometown?”
“No.” He blinks a few times.
“Yep, the owner was a real asshole, and his son was a prick. I think he’s in jail now.” I shrug. “Doesn’t matter. But you were doing Habitat for Humanity and working as an intern for your dad, right?”
“Uh huh.”
I put down the coffee mug and lock eyes with him. “I vaguely remember showing her your picture like twelve years ago. Hmm, and look where that got you.”
“You planned this?” His jaw hangs open. “Over a decade ago?”
“It wasn’t exactly how I planned it, but the important stuff happened.
” I pat him on the shoulder. “If you are ever wondering what to get me, I don’t like carnations.
They’re cheap and they smell bad.” Then I motion to the women in the living room.
“Thanks for being the practice round. They were the real endgame.”