“Congratulations! Your father looked so happy.” I don’t know the person standing next to Colt’s chair, but she’s gushing like she’s never been to a wedding before.

“Thanks, it’s been a great day,” he replies with an easy smile.

“Is this your girlfriend?” she asks, gesturing toward Piper. Her cheeks flush, and she lowers her gaze, giggling. “So pretty. You make a beautiful couple.”

“What about us?” Nix slings an arm around Deborah’s shoulders, and she laughs uproariously while leaning against him.

“I’m blinded by the beauty at this table.” The woman shields her eyes, and everybody laughs at their shared joke. Then she glances my way, frowns, and walks off. Mom hasn’t taken her seat beside me yet, so maybe it’s not clear who I am, but still. How rude.

Now that I think about it, does anybody here know who I am? Did anybody bother learning about the bride and her family? More importantly, did Mom bother to tell anybody she has a daughter? Deborah shoots me an evil look from across the table, and I pointedly look away, glad to see waitstaff coming out with trays full of food. If we’re eating, we are one step closer to this being over. Mom and James take their seats, having been busy getting their pictures taken.

Though, even as everybody’s dining, there’s no end to the visits from other guests. Everybody gushes over the guys, how grown up they are, the sort of small talk people make at events like this when they don’t know what else to say. Since nobody knows who I am and none of my family goes out of their way to introduce me, I sit silent, eating my food and minding my business.

A hush falls over the room when someone gets on a microphone and announces the first dance is about to begin. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the bride and groom to share their special moment.” Immediately, dozens of cameras are lifted into the air so everybody can capture this.

There’s so much happiness all around me, so many smiles, even a few tears as James expertly guides my mother across the dance floor. She’s beaming, obviously in heaven. I want to be happy for her. I really do. Maybe once she’s happy and feeling secure now that she’s Mrs. Alistair, she’ll ease up on me a little. There won’t be as much of an excuse to resent me. I find myself welling up with hopeful tears by the time the song’s over, and James treats Mom to a deep dip that leaves the crowd gasping and applauding in appreciation. It’s a perfect moment, like something out of a movie. I know she’s living it up.