Page 126 of The Worst Best Man

“I am training him to not be an asshole,” Cressida announced. “Good luck with your training of Aiden.”

“Uh, thanks?” Frankie said.

Digby grinned. “I heard Margeaux didn’t take the news of you two dating well.”

“Why Margeaux thinks it’s any of her business is beyond me.”

“That one does not like to lose,” Cressida announced. “We must go make love now.”

Digby’s face lit up, and for once, it wasn’t from the backlight of his phone. It looked as though he was trading in his day-trader ways.

“Great seeing you, Frankie. Tell Aiden we said hi,” he said in a rush, grabbing Cressida’s wrist and dragging her toward the door.

“Huh,” Frankie said, watching them leave. Maybe there had been something in the water in Barbados. She shivered, pitying whatever man ended up with Margeaux.

She moved on, circulating like a ghost through the crowd until her tray was empty. Back in the cramped kitchen, she restocked. Jana slid through the door with a tray of dirty glasses.

“Another hour, and we start packing up,” she sang. Her blonde hair was streaked with turquoise today.

Frankie couldn’t wait for that hour to end, and with it this portion of her life so she could step into her newly favorite role. Aiden’s bed warmer. Since she was already in town, it only made sense for her to stay at his place tonight. Especially since tomorrow was Saturday. The plan was to sleep in and have a lazy Saturday brunch. Then dinner with Aiden’s father, his new lady friend, and Aiden’s mother. As always, the Kilbourns kept it quite civilized. Though not civilized enough to invite the step-mother/soon-to-be-ex. News of the divorce had leaked early. And the gossip was rampant even here.

Rumor had it that Jacqueline had been on the guest list for tonight but was too humiliated to show her face. Frankie guessed the woman was probably reviewing her prenup with a magnifying glass rather than suffering any actual humiliation. It was funny serving food to some of the same people she’d danced alongside of last week. But as was typical, no one looked a server in the eyes unless they were after something more than food or drink.

The anonymity was more comforting than anything. Aiden hadn’t mentioned anything about her catering gigs, but she imagined it must be odd for him to have a girlfriend who cleaned up after his peers.

“Franchesca?” Cecily Kilbourn cocked her head to one side. “It is you!” She was dressed in a simple yet stunning yellow dress that only a woman with her coloring and bearing could begin to pull off.

“Mrs. Kilbourn,” Frankie said, nearly bobbling her tray.

Her ghost status had just been revoked.

“Please, call me Cecily,” she said with a genuine smile. “Is Aiden here?”

“No. He was working late tonight.”

“Ah. My son isalwaysworking,” Cecily sighed. “He takes after his father in that area.”

“He’s very dedicated,” Frankie agreed.

“That’s a very polite way of saying he needs to be careful before he starts following in the rest of his father’s footsteps. I’m very glad he’s found you. He seems quite taken with you.”

“Same. I mean, I feel the same way.”

“I may be biased,” Cecily said, “but he is quite the prize.”

“We’re enjoying our time together,” Frankie said, not knowing how to make small talk with her boyfriend’s mother when she was supposed to be handing out miniature shrimp cocktails served in ceramic spoons.

“What did you find now, Cecily? You’re going to end up ten pounds heavier when you leave here if you don’t stay away from the food.” Jacqueline, neither humiliated nor glued to her prenup, sidled up to them and plucked a sample from Frankie’s tray. She sampled it and wrinkled her pretty nose. “Ugh. Disgusting. I hate shrimp.” She dropped the half-eaten shrimp back on the tray in a masticated lump.

Asshole.

“Where’s the girl with the brie?” she demanded.

“Jacqueline, you remember Aiden’s girlfriend Franchesca, don’t you?” Cecily said pointedly.

It took Jacqueline a moment to realize that Cecily was talking about the tray-wielding Frankie and not someone else. “You’re awaitress?” Jacqueline asked with a laugh. Her eyebrows were trying valiantly to raise, but the flawless forehead only allowed her eyes to widen ever so slightly.

“Among other things, Mrs. Kilbourn.”