Mira had meant to keep her gaze down, out of shame for what she saw but also from fear of being recognized, but as she looked around in the hope someone on staff would see, she realized no one was around. Mira guessed they were overwhelmed with everything going on, or maybe they’d decided it’d be easier not to interfere, to let the damage be done, knowing Celine and Phillip would take care of it in the end.

Mira looked again in the direction of the group by the cabins and this time she recognized one of the women. “Kristina?” Mira called, remembering that she was in Celine’s wedding party, a bridesmaid.

“Oh,” Kristina said, swallowing another gulp of her drink. “I know you. Yes. Celine’s black friend. That’s you.”

“Obviously,” one of the men snickered, and the rest of them laughed.

“Mira,” she corrected, but they all paid her no mind. “Kristina, what are you doing? I thought you were looking for Celine?”

Kristina waved her hand at the mention of Celine’s name. “Look, I tried. I’ve asked everyone who might have had an idea but they either don’t know or don’t care. Who knows where she is? If she doesn’t want to be found, who am I to bother? Let her come back when she’s ready. In the meantime—” Kristina raised her drink in the air and took another gulp. The others followed suit.

“Hey, you all got to see inside here. It’s kind of cozy. All we need are some pillows or something.”

Mira looked at the guy who’d gone inside the cabin. He popped his head out of the window frame, smiling at his sense of accomplishment. “Thomas, you want to go back to the cottage and get some?”

“Yeah, cool.”

“Also, see if you can get one of those servers to come down here. I’m kind of hungry.”

“They’re kind of swamped though,” Kristina interrupted. “We’ve got some snacks.”

“Get them! And maybe some beers at the bar. Yeah, this place is great. Cool in here too. You need to come inside and see.”

All of them except for Thomas crawled across the railing to get into the cabin. Mira heard their clamors of excitement as they stole inside. She walked briskly away, passing the tent from last night’s post-rehearsal ceremony, only now it was set up for the wedding reception. A few girls sat at the tables guzzling champagne from the abandoned bar. “I should have known Celine would stand him up,” one of the women complained. “I don’t know what we’re all sitting waiting around for. Celine is gone. No way she’s coming back now and risking everyone laughing in her face. We should just go home.”