“Still looking for Ian?”
Katie turned around to see Makinsley standing behind her with a smirk on her thick lips. “Actually, yes. Have you seen him?”
Mak's smirk grew into a cold smile. “As a matter of fact, I have.” She reached out and took hold of Katie's upper arm. “Come on. I'll take you to him.”
Katie allowed Makinsley to tow her through the packed crowd that surrounded the dance floor. Gracie and Cal were halfway through their very first dance as a married couple. Katie had wanted to watch it, but she'd so far been completely unsuccessful at tracking down her husband. Maggie McIntyre, Ian's mother, had assured her that she'd seen him at the wedding and he was somewhere in the building, but with a crowd of seven hundred people packing the reception hall, finding him had proven to be quite the challenge.
Makinsley's turquoise dress shimmered in the lights as she weaved her way through the crowd on impossibly tall heels, leaving Katie to stumble and trip along behind her. Katie was surprised when Mak pushed open the wide french doors that lead to the back porch of the building.
She pointed to bench that was positioned next a large azalea bush. The couple who were occupying the bench appeared to be making out quite passionately with one another. “There's your husband, Katie.”
Katie froze. Her heart dropped into her stomach and she felt physically sick as she recognized Ian's coppery hair and the green striped button down dress shirt she'd bought for him last Christmas. “No,” she whispered.
“He's been sucking face with April Lynne Hale for most of the reception.” Mak was grinning now. “Just thought you should see him for yourself.”
“Why?” Katie felt like she'd been punched.
“Why did I want you to see your husband cheating on you?”
That hadn't at all been what Katie was asking, but she was stunned by the cruel pleasure she saw on Makinsley's face.
“You wanted me to see Ian making out with April Lynne?” Katie was completely horrified.
“I wanted you to see how ugly and pathetic you really are,” Mak said. “Maybe now that you realize you can't even keep your own husband, you'll stop chasing after Addison like a bitch in heat.”
Katie had thought she couldn't be hurt any worse, but she was wrong. Makinsley's words cut like knives.
“Don't even give me that look. Everyone can see right through you and your cheesy romance novels where all the heroes look exactly like Addison. You can't really think he'd ever go for a girl like you. Addison only talks to you because he feels sorry for you. He doesn't even like you as a friend, let alone have any real feelings for you. Why should he? There's nothing special about you. Hell, its looking like the only reason Ian's stayed with you for all these years was because you knew he'd killed that little girl and he was afraid you wouldn't keep his secret if he left you. Now that everyone knows the truth, why bother staying with boring little Katie?” Mak touched Katie lightly on the chin. “Compare yourself to me. I've got boobs, you don't. I've got a booty, you don't. I've got great legs. You've got chicken legs and knobby knees.”
“At least I don't have your cankles.” The entire world had gone numb around Katie and she felt like her heart was shattering, but that didn't mean she was going to stand here like an idiot and let Makinsley abuse her.
Mak let out a snarl and her smile faded. Katie pulled back away from the other girl and straightened her shoulders. “You've made your point, Makinsley. I'm ugly and pathetic. Like I haven't heard either of those insults before?” Katie knew her lip was quivering, but she was not about to break down in front of Mak. She might be a pathetic loser, but she wasn't that pathetic.
“Hey Katie, there you are. Everyone's looking for you.” A male figure in a dark suit made his way out of the crowd beside them. Katie's eyes were too full of tears to see him clearly, but she recognized David's voice well enough. “It's time for all of us in the bridal party to dance-.” David stopped himself mid-sentence when he saw Katie's expression. “What's wrong?”
“Katie's a little upset,” Mak gloated. Her smile came back in full force as she looked up at David. “She was looking for Ian. She found him in the garden. He's right over there.” Makinsley pointed to the bench. April Lynne and Ian were still going hot and heavy. He appeared to have his hand up her dress.
“What. The. Fuck?” David stared at Ian and April Lynne for roughly two seconds as his brain processed what he was seeing. “Oh hell no,” he said and stormed down the stairs, heading straight for the scandalous couple.
“Well darn, I guess David's going to ruin our show.” Mak pouted at David's backside as they watched him stride across the grass and physically yank Ian backwards off the bench, forcefully separating him from April Lynne. “I never have liked Breedlove much.”
Katie didn't speak as she watched Ian spin around and try to swing on his cousin. He had lipstick smeared all over his face and his shirt was unbuttoned. David swatted him back down to the ground easily with an openhanded shove.
April Lynne stood up and shoved herself in between Ian and David. She knew he'd never hit a woman, not even one who punched like a man. She was screaming in David's face now. Katie didn't need to hear all of the words to get the gist. The rest of the people on the balcony were starting to notice the commotion. Mostly thanks to April Lynne's high pitched squeal of a voice.
Suddenly Katie couldn't stand being subjected to Makinsley's smug smile for one more second. Her stomach lurched and she turned away from the disaster that was about to take place. Katie bolted through the crowd. David didn't need her to handle Ian. He was just fine at dealing with disasters all by himself.