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“You look amazing, stop fidgeting.”
“Who’s fidgeting?” I was more nervous about how the night was going to end than anything else. I’d seen enough in the last few days to know that Natalie was not sane. Not that she’s certifiable, but she seems to have an aversion to reality.
From what I’ve seen, she’d only attack the baby if he’s in the direct line of fire, and since he should be in bed by the time the night ends, he should be safe. Still, I’d made sure that Sabi spoke to the nanny and warned her to be on alert.
Kevin, the husband and father, wasn’t going to be back for another few days, and from what the nanny said, he had no idea about his wife’s darker side. She’s hit the nanny in the past and destroyed a whole room in a temper.
Some of the shit the young woman said was enough to get Natalie arrested, but as if being a piece of shit isn’t enough, she mistreats her staff and holds threats of deportation over their heads if they retaliate.
This behavior seems to have escalated since Garrett and I got married. Here’s the thing, ever since I learned the truth about what Helen used to do to Mitzie, I’ve been even more watchful because you can miss a lot when you have tunnel vision.
I was in my own little world, beefing with this woman because of the things she said about me, with no idea that she had any of this in her. I guess I didn’t expect that Garrett would be associated with someone like her, but according to him, though he knew she had a mean girl streak, he never expected it to extend to her own child.
As much as he’s disgusted with her behavior, I think he’s even more glad that he dodged a bullet. He hasn’t said much, but I can see each time she’s mentioned how his face tightens up, and he gets that look in his eye.
Now we’re getting ready at his place to attend the dinner party his parents are throwing in our honor. The guest list had been chosen by Garrett at my behest, because I wanted all the people she had blackened my name to in attendance, plus any stragglers who still believed they had a shot with my husband.
I plan to take all these bitches down in one fell swoop so I can go on with my life. These damn prep school Barbies ain’t ever dealt with a southern belle who knows how to cut with the tongue while smiling in your face; bless their hearts.
The pleated floral print chiffon gown was elegant and ladylike but showed off my shape to perfection. It’s not something I would’ve chosen, but he had and told me to trust him, which I do. He’d even chosen my jewelry, which was a robin’s egg-sized cocktail ring and matching earrings from his great-grandmother’s collection, with my slimmest evening watch on my wrist and, of course, my wedding ring.
Since none of these people had ever met me before, I was expecting lots of questions, and because neither of these rings were hard to miss, I was sure they would be great conversation pieces. Just a hint of his favorite scent behind my ears and knees, and I was ready to go.
I’d left my hair straight and pulled back behind my ears, and I knew I looked amazing, even with understated makeup and just a touch of gloss on my lips. The fact that Garrett was giving me the horny toad salute was all the validation I needed that I had hit the mark. I was going for the envy factor.
I wanted them to see me and drool with indignation that a bitch like me had snuck in and stolen one of their most eligible bachelors. In all honesty, I didn’t realize that women like this actually existed in real life. Not until I listened to the shit Natalie spewed to Sabrina and anyone who would listen every chance she got.
She’s so convinced that I am beneath her, and from her rants, I get the idea that she thinks I’m some backwoods country hick she planned to show up tonight so her friends could see just how much I didn’t belong.
“You look like you’re going into battle.”
“Oh, but I am. It’s the war of the bitches, and I aim to win.” I patted his cheek when he started to look worried. “Don’t fret; I have excellent table manners.”
Of course, we were one of the last couples to arrive, so all eyes were on us when we walked through the door. We were just in time for the cocktail hour, which I knew was the time most of the questions would start flowing.
My mother-in-law was the first to greet us, and it was obvious that she was pleased to see us. She stole me away to introduce me to her and her husband’s friends while my husband played catch-up with some of his.
Natalie wasn’t here as yet, but I wasn’t expecting her to be. I knew she wanted to make an entrance, but I had plans for her. You see, I’d combed through the guestlist and grilled Garrett on who was who, so I knew my target audience and how to get them hooked before she showed her face.
“Oh, Mrs. Samuels, I heard so much about you.”
“You have? I didn’t know Garrett spoke of me so often.” I waved my hand dismissively.
“Oh, forget him; we’re part of the same society; your name is legend.”
“You’re a PBK?”
“Yes, I am, Wellesley College, class of twenty-two.” As expected, that started a whole conversation, and other women were brought in to add their memories. I knew some of them would throw in some questions or mention something they thought I couldn’t possibly know, but within ten minutes, I had them eating out of my hand.
“Oh, Garrett, she’s a delight. You must bring her to…” Fill in the blanks; I heard it repeated time and time again. I knew the second Natalie entered the room but didn’t bother turning around to look; I knew it was just what she wanted.
I didn’t rush over to Garrett’s side either, though he made a beeline for mine, and we just continued talking since we were the guests of honor. That was the first volley.
The second came right behind it when my new father-in-law got everyone’s attention and introduced us to the room, making sure to call me his new daughter, which I didn’t even have to coach him to do.
“Introduce me.”
“Behave!”
