The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

tongue of her ancestral land: a frat house. “Uh, I’m not sure. It’s just that I
saw the bride when I went downstairs and—”
The woman in the chair jumps up, dodging Natalia’s hands as my cousin
tries to blot the woman’s face. “Ella’s downstairs? But why? She’s supposed
to be here putting the final touches on her makeup.”
Actually, from what I could tell, Ella’s shooting her shot with another man.
To Ella’s presumptive relative, I say, “I’m not sure, exactly. Maybe you
should check on her?” I eye Natalia and mouth, I need to talk to you. Outside.
She nods, but then Ella sails into the suite and parks herself right between
my cousin and me, several tendrils of her blond hair having escaped the
intricate topknot she’s chosen as her wedding-day hairstyle. “I’ve got a bit of
shine, but we don’t have a lot of time,” the bride says to Natalia. “Could you
do a quick refresh?”
Natalia activates her professional mode. “Of course.”
Before Ella drops into the chair, she slides a troubled gaze in my direction.
“And who do we have here?”
“This is my cousin Solange. She’s pretending to help me today.”
I give Natalia a dirty look, then add for Ella’s benefit: “I’m also on the
groom’s side.”
Ella swallows. “I see.” Then she fans her face. “Is there someone who
could get me some water? I’m feeling a little parched.”
I point to an impressive display of snacks—and bottled water—on a table a
few feet away. “There’s some right there.”
“I’m partial to sparkling, actually,” Ella says, giving me a tremulous smile.
“Helps to settle my stomach, which for obvious reasons is doing a number on
me today.”
Natalia grins at me sheepishly. “Would you mind, Solange? Maybe ring
room service?”
“I tried calling in the hall,” Ella says quickly. “They’re not answering.”
“The café on the mezzanine level, then?” Natalia asks.
Oh, I see what’s going on. Ella wants to get rid of me. I’m probably the
only thing standing between her and the marriage she’s hoping to enter.
Gripping the chair handles, Ella leans over and pins me with a feverish
gaze. “I understand you don’t have any dog in this fight, but that sparkling
water would be just the thing to calm my nerves. It’s my big day, and I’m out
of sorts.” She shakes her head as if to clear it. “I don’t do my best thinking
under circumstances like these. Can you find it in your heart to do me this