Chapter Text
Prologue
Scylla steps out of the taxicab onto the long, winding driveway. Immediately dwarfed by the house- home. Her family’s new home.
The big move across the country was a long sought-after dream. Often discussed amongst her parents in giddy, reverent tones after a bottle or two of wine. Demetri and Mia Ramshorn spent countless years networking with west coast realtors, trying to get a foot in the door. Determined to expand the family realty business. When all seemed fraught and her parents were at their wits end, their business partner, Jim Tippett, stepped up to the plate and knocked a big one out of the park. At least that’s how poppa described it.
Six months, countless large brown boxes, and too many goodbyes later, she was here. Standing in front of the adjacent Ramshorn and Tippett dwellings in Los Angeles, California. Letting her new reality sink in.
Moving to California meant things were going to change. Her life was bound to be different. Abandoning everything she has ever known was going to be scary and exhilarating. New adventures often were, but all those possibilities were just theoretical.
Until now.
Now everything is happening all at once in a hurried heap of excitement and trepidation. Leaving her rooted in place in front of the two gargantuan, fancy houses trying not to hyperventilate.
A warm, familiar hand slips into hers. She takes a deep breath. Reflexively interlocking their fingers and offering a tight squeeze.
“I’ll be right next door. Closer than ever before. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.”
Porter’s kind words are comforting. At least his newfound proximity is one welcomed change.
“Whoa! It’s huge! I call dibs on that room!” Tiffany shouts, pointing to the largest window on the second floor.
Scylla giggles. Relieved she could always rely on her younger sister to make her laugh when she needed it most.
“Pretty sure that’s momma and poppa’s room,” Scylla comments. A twinge of guilt rising when her little sister’s delighted grin falls into a frown. She stammers, quickly course correcting, “But if it isn’t, then it’s all yours.” After a few nanoseconds, Tiffany’s toothy smile is back, and Scylla can’t help but smile along with her.
Indistinct chatter approaching from behind draws their attention away from their respective new homes. A pair of teenage girls carrying funny looking sticks with baskets on one end make their way towards them. Probably drawn by curiosity from the armada of moving vans lining the street.
The taller girl with intense brown eyes introduces herself first.
“Hi, I’m Abigail and this is one of my best friends, Tally.” The bubbly red-haired girl next to Abigail lights up and waves her hand vigorously. Scylla returns the wave with her free hand. “Are you new to the block?”
“Hi! Uh- yeah, we’re moving in right now. I’m Porter and this is my girlfriend, Scylla, and her sister Tiffany.”
“Welcome to the neighborhood!” Tally gushes, practically bouncing up and down with excitement.
Out of nowhere, Abigail whips her head around and calls out to a straggler several yards away.
“Hey shitbird! Pick up the pace and come say hi!”
Tally’s eyes widened, “You said a bad word, Abigail!”
“So what? I’m thirteen, I can say whatever I want.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Yes, I can.”
“No-”
Scylla tunes out the bickering girls. Suddenly caught in a staring contest with the lanky girl with wild, curly blonde hair sauntering up behind them. The girl cradles a bright yellow ball in the basket end of the odd stick device as she eyes her curiously.
Normally her skin would crawl if a stranger pierced into her soul with their stunning blue eyes, but for some reason, nothing even close to that happens. Instead, the blonde’s curious gaze puts her at ease for the first time since she left Massachusetts. Perhaps it was her charming, crooked smile that was easy on the eyes. Maybe it was because this new girl seemed equally entranced by her. Regardless, Scylla was intrigued. After a few seconds of silent observance, the girl shakes her head, blinking a few times. Effectively breaking the trance.
“Hi there! New neighbors?” The new girl asks.
“Yes, we just moved here from Boston.” Porter answers.
“And you are?” Scylla cuts in, eyes fixed on the blonde girl.
“Raelle. Raelle Collar.” She extends her right hand in greeting, “You?”
Without hesitation, Scylla drops Porter’s hand, taking Raelle’s instead and shaking firmly.
“Scylla Ramshorn.”
20 Years later…
Raelle slouches, sifting the couch cushions underneath them before propping both feet up on the coffee table. Brows furrowed in concentration.
“How about Jeanine?”
“Pass.” Scylla replies automatically, “What about roller derby girl?”
“No way. Can’t afford to show up covered in bruises from another ‘friendly’ skating session. Abigail would kill me if I ruined her precious wedding pictures.”
“She would. Also, you’re not allowed to die because I can’t afford rent anywhere in San Francisco by myself.”
“Gee thanks. Really feeling the love here.” Raelle groans with an eye roll. “What about Todd?”
“Double pass. Oh! You could bring that woman you ran into at Trader Joe’s.”
“I literally ran into her, Scyl. Full on knocked a macaron display on top of her.”
“This is hopeless.” Scylla huffs and snatches her purse. Fishing around for much needed anxiety relief. “Yes!” She whispers in triumph after locating her lighter and new pack of cigarettes.
“When did we become so bad at dating?” Raelle sulks, sinking further into the couch cushions.
Scylla arches a manicured eyebrow, “Were we ever good at dating?”
“Not good enough to get plus ones for a wedding, apparently.”
“That’s true.” Scylla adds, opening the living room window, “You have dated quite the cast of characters over the years.”
She steps out onto the tiny balcony, zipping her jacket all the way up to combat the chilly Pacific breeze.
“Me?!” Raelle protests behind her, “What about you? I swear each person is worse than the last.”
“Wow, tell me how you really feel about my exs.” Scylla replies coolly, lighting up a cigarette.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, none of them are good enough for you.”
Scylla takes a long, glorious drag. Welcoming the wonderful nicotine coursing through her veins as she mulls over Raelle’s response.
“You’re supposed to say things like that. Take your best friend glasses off for a second and answer me honestly. Is there something wrong with me?”
“Scyl, there is nothing wrong with you. At all. You’re basically perfect and you deserve to be with someone just as perfect.”
“If that’s the case I’m doomed.”
Raelle coughs and blindly claws at the junk mail pile. “I thought you gave up that disgusting habit.” She gripes, fanning the residual smoke wafting into the apartment back towards the open window with a grossly outdated grocery flyer.
“I did. Ten years ago.”
“Then what do you call this?”
“Necessary.” Scylla says, taking another puff. Savoring the smoke coating her lungs for a few seconds before exhaling out towards the city skyline.
“You weren’t this stressed at the engagement party, or the bridal shower.”
Scylla releases a hollow laugh. “My mother wasn’t at either of those. I can’t face her without a date Rae. Not again.”
“I know. I’m not exactly looking forward to seeing her either. No offense, I just get bad vibes from her sometimes. Dunno why.”
“None taken. She has bad juju in spades. Can’t explain it either.” Scylla extinguishes what remains of her cigarette against the metal fire escape ladder. Tossing the stub into the sad empty flower pot on the balcony before resting her forearms along the windowsill. “Can I have a hug?” She asks, jutting out her bottom lip. “Please.”
“Not after willingly inhaling poison.” Raelle says. She pinches her nose and creeps towards the open window, “But I’ll offer you a friendly pat on the head.”
Scylla scowls as Raelle taps her head like a toddler.
“Some doctor you are.” She huffs.
“I judge my smoker patients too, just silently. Nuh uh, stay out there smokey! Don’t bring that awful smell into our apartment unless you’re going right into the shower.”
“Fine.” Scylla pouts, retreating onto the balcony. “Only because we’re running out of time. We have to be in Napa in three days.” She takes a seat on the metal fire escape ladder.
“Whoever heard of a wedding that lasts seven days?” Raelle huffs.
“Did you really expect a Bellweather wedding to be less than a day? I’m surprised it’s only one week.”
Scylla’s fingers rapt an unsteady beat against the ladder as she internally debates lighting up another cigarette. The nerves win out much to Raelle’s dismay.
“Gross.”
“Can’t help it.” Scylla whines in between puffs, “You know how my mother is. Porter is going to be there too which means she’s going to be worse than usual.”
“It’s been more than a decade since you two broke up. How is she still not over it?”
“I honestly don’t know. I’m so sick of her constantly bringing him up and guilt tripping me over it. I just need her to see with her own two eyes that I’ve moved on. Then this can all just end. Forever.” Scylla releases a heavy huff, “But I need to bring someone with me that isn’t Porter for that to happen.”
She looks up, meeting Raelle’s concerned gaze. Suddenly feeling guilty.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make this all about me.”
“That’s okay, I don’t have the same family pressures you do. I just want to avoid looking like a lonely loser in front of our friends and family.”
“Raelle, you’re the opposite of a loser. You’re a hot shot doctor whose too busy saving lives all the time to go on proper dates. I’m glad you’re finally taking time off from work. You deserve a break.”
“Thanks.” Raelle says with a small smile, looking a little less stressed.
“Look,” Scylla rationalizes, “We still have nine full days before the actual wedding happens. Worst case scenario, we show up early so you can fulfill your bridesmaid duties and if anyone asks where our dates are, we can fib a little and say they couldn’t get off work until the weekend. In the meantime, we keep searching.”
Raelle nods. Then opens her phone, sighing heavily as she swipes.
“Thank Goddess for dating apps.”
Raelle grumbles from the passenger seat, swiping her phone with both thumbs like a mad woman.
“Stupid useless dating apps.”
Scylla tunes out Raelle’s frustration for a bit. Humming along contently to the song playing off Raelle’s phone as she drives. She turns up the volume just as her favorite part is about to play. Beyond annoyed when the music abruptly transitions into a very loud, obnoxious dial tone.
“Again?!” Scylla groans, lowering the volume so she could properly scold her best friend. “Are you going to do this the entire drive to the villa?” She complains, casting a pointed glare at Raelle.
“Eyes on the road this is a rental! And yes, I’m literally calling everyone in my contact list. Except you, obviously.”
“Why are you calling me in the middle of my shift?”
“Nicte! Oh, thank Goddess you picked up!”
Scylla huffs, glancing at the rearview mirror briefly. Feeling a tinge of sadness as the fog capped city recedes into the distance.
“I need your help.” Raelle pleads. “I’m desperate.”
“My kind of woman.”
Scylla could practically hear Nicte’s smug smirk over the phone.
“Will you go with me to the wedding? As my plus one. Please?”
“Did she mention she’s super desperate?” Scylla chides, earning herself a playful slap on the arm.
“Love to, but I’m covering for a certain dateless doctor all week.”
“Damn it! I forgot.” Raelle groans, throwing her head back dramatically against the headrest just as a faded announcement plays through the speakers.
“Dr. Batan to trauma bay. Doctor Batan to trauma bay.”
“Duty calls.” Nicte says. “Sure hope it’s a bloody one.”
“Sadist!” Raelle gripes.
“Love you too! See you in a week!”
The call ends and Scylla breaks out into a small fit of laughter, tickled by the misguided phone call that just took place, while the song from earlier resumes playing in the background.
“Well, that wasn’t pathetic at all.” Scylla manages in between chuckles.
“At least I’m still trying to find a date.” Raelle growls, crossing her arms over her chest, “What will your mother think of you for giving up?”
Scylla’s smile falls faster than a lead balloon. All of her giddiness from the last few minutes sucked out of the car while the crippling anxiety took root along with an unsettling heaviness in the center of her chest. She attempts to breathe through it and fumbles for her purse in the back seat without taking her eyes off the road.
“Sorry, that was a low blow. I didn’t mean to lash out like that.” Raelle apologizes.
“You’re not wrong though.” Scylla says, lighting up a cigarette and opening all four windows simultaneously. Feeling marginally better after the first puff. “This wedding is going to take years off my life.”
“So are those death sticks.” Raelle quips before sticking her head all the way out the window to avoid the smoke.
Scylla finishes her cigarette in silence savoring the temporary reprieve. Enjoying the warm evening air whipping through her hair as they continue driving from the bustling city out into the countryside. They arrive at the villa not long after. Turning left off the main road onto an unpaved driveway, continuing through an open set of ornate iron gates with a connecting overarch that reads ‘Taste of Tuscany’ in ancient font.
Gravel crunches underneath the tires as they roll along the driveway. The length of it is flanked by tall, parallel rows of grapevines. Roughly thirty yards from the manor, the flora breaks off, pivoting at a ninety-degree angle creating the perfect panoramic view. The enormous two-story Tuscan style mansion stands prominent in the center surrounded by rolling acres lined with endless rows of grapevines basking in the orange glow of the quickly setting sun.
“Wow. You could fit an entire army in that place.” Scylla comments.
“Go big or go home. That’s Abigail for you. Plus, I heard Adil has a pretty large extended family.”
“Do you know where we’re supposed to park?”
Raelle shrugs, “Maybe those guys do.” gesturing towards the pair of men in butler attire standing idly by the oak double doors.
Scylla parks in front of the main entrance. Before her index finger touches the window button, both men simultaneously open the driver and passenger doors.
“Welcome to Napa! I’m Steve and this is Brian. We’ll be taking care of you this week. May I ask who you are?”
“Scylla Ramshorn and Raelle Collar.”
“Excellent!” Steve comments, jotting something down on his clipboard. “Right on schedule.”
“Um, where should I park the car?” Scylla asks.
Steve dismisses her question with a friendly wave.
“Not to worry ma’am. Leave the keys with me and we’ll handle it for you.” Steve’s eyes avert, brows furrowing, “Pardon me, ma’am.” He quickly excuses himself and disappears around the car.
Scylla follows his previous line of sight towards the trunk, noticing Brain struggling with an uncooperative luggage cart.
She meets Raelle’s equally amused face whispering and wiggling her eyebrows. “Ma’am? How fancy.” Delighting when she giggles.
They exit the vehicle trailing behind Steve, Brian, and their mountain of bags into the house. Greeted immediately with the definition of elegance: Vaulted ceilings, enormous chandelier overhead, terracotta tiled floors, a hand carved oak banister leading up to the second floor, and white marble columns lining every decorative archway.
While Scylla and Raelle take in the splendor, Brain and their belongings disappear somewhere inside the large house. When Scylla finally takes notice, Steve, ever the old pro, swoops in once again assuaging her unspoken hesitancy.
“Not to worry ma’am, your luggage will be waiting for you in your room.”
Steve ushers the pair through another stunning section of the house.
“Why are we running? Is there a fire?” Raelle asks, trying along with Scylla to keep up with Steve’s relentless pace.
Steve’s face twitches. “Mrs. Bellweather insists I escort you to the parlor for cocktail hour the moment you arrive. She has a very tight schedule. Ah, speaking of Mrs. Bellweather.”
As if summoned, Charvel appears at the far end of the corridor beelining for them.
“You’ve made it.” Charvel beams, nodding towards the butler, “Thank you for delivering them, Steve.”
He bows at the neck, “Anything else I can do for you, Mrs. Bellweather?”
“That’ll be all. Thank you.”
Once he’s dismissed, Steve quickly slips into the shadows. Charvel snaps her attention to Raelle, leading them into the parlor while bombarding her with rapid-fire questions and commands.
“Did you double check your tie and socks are sky blue five? I’m going to need the receipts just to be sure they match the bridesmaid dresses exactly. I swapped your SPA Day for golfing- you like sports, right? Anyway, you’ll be with your father so that will be nice. Oh! And tonight, I’ll need you to-”
Raelle can barely stammer out a single word before Charvel moves onto the next point of discussion. By the time Tally interrupts, Scylla’s head is spinning.
“Hey Charvel, everything is almost finished in the dining room, but I thought you should know the salad forks are missing.”
Charvel excuses herself in a huff mumbling over her shoulder. “Maid of honor’s work is never done.”
Tally waits until Charvel leaves the vicinity to audibly squeal and pull them both in for a big bouncy hug.
“Ahh I’m so happy to see the both of you! Here! Together! I missed you so much!”
“Missed you too, Tal.” Raelle mumbles into Tally’s shoulder.
A frenzied flurry of uniformly dressed people hustle into the room. Before either Raelle or Scylla can comment, Tally whisks them into another part of the house away from the oncoming swarm.
“I’ve been here since nine in the morning, and in my short time here I’ve learned it’s best to stay far away from Charvel when she’s in maid of honor mode.”
They weave through a few mysterious parts of the house. Each section as classy as the last. Eventually arriving in a fancy villa version of a living room complete with a fully functioning bar. They order a round of drinks from the bartender and commandeer the sitting area next to one of the floor length windows offering a stunning view of the countryside.
Tally plops into the big comfy chair leaving Raelle and Scylla to squeeze into a loveseat across from her. Raelle leans back and slips her arm over the back of the couch creating a little extra elbow room.
“Where did you fly in from?” Raelle asks before sampling her whiskey.
“Budapest.” Tally explains, “Working on a piece about the new grassroots movement combating the harsh right-wing laws. Anti-LGTBQ, zero tolerance for the homeless, inhumane treatment of migrants. It’s one human rights atrocity after the next, but people are fighting back.”
“Sounds intense.” Raelle comments.
“It is. The young progressives are in for an uphill battle for sure, but I think they’ll succeed. Their passion for a better future is palpable. I just know their story will inspire others.”
“Glad to hear you haven’t lost your optimism.” Scylla adds with a smile.
“Nah!” Tally says with a wide grin, “If anything international journalism gives me more hope than ever. There are so many people out there fighting for what’s right despite insurmountable odds. Giving them a platform to voice their truths is the least I can do.”
“That’s wonderful Tal, really.” Raelle beams.
“Plus, you get to travel the world while you do what you love.” Scylla comments, sipping her pinot noir.
“Yeah, my job is really rewarding that’s for sure, but it can be exhausting. Impossible to set up roots and establish anything stable or permanent. Most days I just feel like I’m circling the globe without touching the ground.” She releases a tired sigh, “My life is nothing like what you two have. I’d much prefer to stay in one place for something I love.” Tally offers an affectionate smile, eyes darting between the two of them. Lingering for a beat before disappearing behind the rim of her wine glass.
“Yeah, things really worked out for us. Got really lucky, I guess.” Raelle says.
Scylla tears her eyes off Tally’s grin, meeting Raelle’s eyes and nudging her in the side.
“And we worked hard to get where we are. Especially you. The SF General just couldn’t bear to let you go after your fellowship ended. Now you practically run the entire emergency department.”
Raelle grins, nudging her back.
“Let’s not brush past all the incredible work you put into Spree Enterprise. You’ve been promoted five times since you started there. That’s got to be some kind of record.”
Heat flashes up her neck and along her cheeks. She tries to hold Raelle’s stare and not squirm from the unabashed compliment. Raelle, sensing her discomfort, slips her arm from the back of the chair over her shoulders. She leans in and whispers, “You’re amazing. Take the compliment.”
“I just love what I do, that’s all. Just like you.” Scylla rationalizes, trying to deflect the attention. Eyes averting from Raelle’s focused gaze over to Tally.
Her friend still had a curious grin plastered all over her face as she nursed chardonnay.
“The way you two supported each other through the years is so sweet.” Tally gushes. “Now you’re reaping the benefits of all that hard work. Just out there living the dream.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you.” Raelle says, pulling Scylla further into her side.
“Same here. It’s like we’re both exactly where we’re meant to be.” Scylla echoes meaning every word.
“Cheers to that!” Tally exclaims, raising her glass.
They close the small gap and clink glasses in celebration.
“To the bride and groom, I hope.” Abigail interjects from behind the loveseat.
“Abigail!” Tally squeals. Unable to contain her excitement. “Now we can finally catch up!”
“Seems like we have a lot to catch up on.” Abigail comments. A small smirk forming as she fixes a pointed glare in Scylla’s direction.
Scylla shrinks a tad under Abigail’s intense scrutiny. One eyebrow arched high and mighty in a silent challenge. It was the same look her mother used to give her when she got caught sneaking cookies out of the pantry for herself and Tiffany in the middle of the night. Just like with her mother, Scylla sits in silence. Unmoving, waiting it out.
Beside her, Raelle carries on, completely oblivious, launching off the couch and hugging Abigail fiercely. In the process, eliminating the weird energy in the room and removing her arm that was resting comfortably across Scylla’s shoulders.
Scylla surmises Abigail’s possible stare down and the sudden lack of warmth was a figment of her imagination. An unintended side effect of the wine, or lack of enough wine in her system. She takes a large gulp as the trio hugs it out.
“Wait! Wait! Before we forget.” Tally whips out her phone. “Unit selfie!”
“Scylla too!” Raelle calls, waving her over. Scylla rolls her eyes and gets off the couch. Internally pleased Raelle still insists on including her in their sacred club after all these years.
“Of course. Can’t forget our honorary member.” Abigail grumbles. “Raelle would never stand for that.”
“Nope.” Raelle quips with a self-satisfied grin.
“Okay get really close. I don’t have elasto-girl arms.” Tally instructs, maneuvering the phone into position.
The girls squish together as instructed. Everyone except Scylla manages to fit within the frame. As Scylla ponders how to rectify this, a pair of arms snakes around her waist pulling her backwards and one full step to the right. Scylla swivels her neck to see who she was now pressed up against. Nearly clunking foreheads with Raelle who was hovering over her shoulder with an ear-to-ear winsome grin like every holiday was happening simultaneously.
“Did you get it Tal?” Abigail asks.
Tally taps the screen a few times, mumbling, “I think so-”
“There will be plenty of time for pictures later.” Charvel barks, marching towards them with Adil close at her heels. “Trust me. I made the itinerary.”
“Thank you for being the best maid of honor in the universe.” Abigail comments lovingly as she gravitates towards her fiancé. Adil pecks Abigail’s cheek and wraps her in a hug.
Raelle and Scylla untangle while Tally taps on her phone a few more times before pocketing the device.
“Hate to break up the reunion, but I really need the three of you in the staging area for the bridesmaid debriefing.” Charvel insists, tapping her nails against her clipboard.
“Right now?” Abigail whines, “Raelle just got here.”
Charvel arches a challenging eyebrow and places one hand on her hip. “Yes.” She hisses, brandishing the clipboard in the other, “You know how I know that?”
The group releases a collective groan.
“You made the itinerary.” Her younger cousin grumbles.
“I sure did. Chop, chop ladies!” Charvel orders with a triumphant grin. Spinning on her heel and marching towards another part of the house.
“Do you think she’d kill me if I hid her clipboard for a few hours?” Abigail whispers conspiratorially to the group.
“Please don’t.” Adil begs, “I’d really like to marry you before one of us dies.”
“Yeah, me too.” Abigail replies with a sickeningly sweet smile, “One unscheduled kiss before my cousin kills us both?”
Adil mirrors her sugary grin and leans in for a chaste kiss. Afterwards Abigail trails after Charvel taking Raelle and Tally with her, leaving Scylla and Adil behind.
“Come on,” Adil says, nodding towards the window, “We can hang out with everyone else on the veranda.”
Scylla falls in line next to Adil as he leads her back through the labyrinth.
“How’s the lawyer game?” Scylla asks, attempting to make appropriate small talk as they weave through the mansion. “Crack any good cases lately?”
Adil chuckles. “I take it you don’t interact with many lawyers, do you?”
“Not at all.” Scylla confesses. “My job entails evading them at all costs.”
“Ahh yes, you’re a legal hacker. How’s that going?” Adil comments, rounding a corner.
“I prefer the term Program Architect. Pay’s good and I haven’t been sued yet, so I must be doing something right.”
“For now. Until a lawyer catches you.” Adil adds with a playful smirk.
“Is that what you and Abigail do? Ruin the lives of honest working people?”
Scylla wouldn’t put it past Abigail. The image of Abigail gloating as the jail cell door slams shut on some poor, helpless soul flashes through her mind.
“Depends on who you ask.” Adil offers, pulling her from her thoughts. A wistful look flashes across his face as they round another corner, “We’ve both came a long way since our first run in at Sandford law. Abigail is already on track to become partner at the infamous Alder-Bellweather criminal law firm, and I’ve been settling into my role as public defender for LA county.”
They pass through a set of double doors leading outside onto a patio at least five times the size of her apartment. Numerous rows of stringed lights stream from the tip of the roofed veranda connecting the cypress trees lining the perimeter. Each twinkling bulb aids the crescent moon in lighting the entire porch. In the middle of the sizable, paved area lies a luxurious infinity pool complete with a waterfall feature, and beyond the bounds of the manicured lawns and cypress trees are the miles of sprawling vineyards.
Off to her immediate right, the mingling guests are hovering around the bartender.
“Groomsmen?” Scylla asks, scanning the small gathering and noting the apparent gender imbalance.
“Yes, other lawyers too. If you’re looking to make more lawyer friends.”
“Any of them single?”
“A few, but don’t worry they won’t bother you. Charvel debriefed them a few hours ago.” Adil adds.
Scylla racks her brain for an appropriate response. Drawing a blank and chalking Adil’s comment up to weird lawyer behavior she doesn’t quite understand. Several seconds later, a tall groomsman with unruly, black hair saddles up next to Adil and nudges him in the shoulder.
“Shellbark is telling a colorful anecdote about you. Thought you might want to know so you can defend yourself before it’s too late.”
All color drains from Adil’s face. “Is it the Spain story?”
The groomsman swallows a gulp of amber liquid. Brown eyes swimming with mischief.
“Oh yeah.”
The olive-skinned man chuckles into his drink as Adil scurries off towards the group of people near the bar. Once he’s done having fun, he catches her eyes, smiling brightly.
“Where are my manners?” He extends his right hand, “I’m Augustin Alcala.”
Scylla shakes firmly, “Scylla Ramshorn. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure’s all mine.” He says with a charming grin.
Tall, dark, and handsome. Scylla takes a sip of wine, calculating her next move. Hopeful she can ditch the abysmal dating app scene and snag a date right here and now.
“Are you a fancy lawyer too?” She asks, opting for basic get-to-know-you small talk, hoping he takes the bait.
Augustin’s face lights up and he launches into an animated story about his law practice, or law school. Scylla isn’t really sure. She tuned him out entirely. Too busy imagining the look of reluctant acceptance on her mother’s face when she introduces Augustin as her new companion. She was so giddy with self-satisfaction at her master plan she almost lost her target, who was now no longer talking and staring at her expectantly, like it was her cue to say something.
“That’s fascinating.” Scylla quickly responds. Relieved when Augustin smiles and nods in approval. “So, do you have a date for the wedding?” Tilting her head to the side and flipping her hair for good measure.
“No, but I hear weddings are a great place to find partners.”
“Definitely.” Scylla agrees. Encouraged by Augustin’s response.
Augustin sighs, glancing out towards his group of friends. “But alas, it seems almost everyone here is already coupled up. Charvel and Ciro, Abigail and Adil, obviously. You and Raelle. Greggorio and Libba-”
Scylla chokes on her wine.
“What did you just say?” Scylla manages after she recovers from the initial shock.
“Greggorio and Libba? They’ve been dating for years, practically married-”
“No, before that.”
“You and Raelle.”
Scylla freezes, trying to process those three words and the implications.
Her and… Raelle?
A couple.
Not a best friend duo, but a couple, couple. The dating kind. The hand holding, kissing, and-
Scylla shakes her head, derailing that line of thought, trying to get it together.
“Is everything okay?” Augustin asks. His voice pierces through the panicked haze, temporarily grounding her. Scylla attempts to mumble something, anything coherent before the world starts spinning again-
“Dinner is served.” Steve announces, saving her from further embarrassment. He gestures back towards the house. “This way to the dining room.”
“I’m famished.” Augustin says, extending his arm for her to take, “Shall we?”
Scylla silently takes the offered forearm, feeling too off kilter to walk unassisted. She spends the short walk to the dining hall concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other while nodding along to Augustin’s banal yammering.
Thankfully, Charvel had strict seating arrangements for tonight’s exclusive bridal party dinner. Placing Scylla on the opposite end of the table from Augustin, who was sandwiched between Tally and a young woman Scylla assumed was Adil’s sister, the only bridesmaid she didn’t personally know. Her seat was stationed directly next to Raelle’s which would be totally normal under any other circumstance, but after what Augustin shared earlier…
Maybe there was another reason.
Scylla scans the table. As suspected, all the couples were seated next to each other. She drains the remnants of her wine glass in one gulp, signaling a passing waiter for a refill. The alcohol coursing through her veins offers a moment of clarity.
Enough to think. To scheme a little.
She had to test this new nagging hypothesis.
If she’s wrong, then she can go back to enjoying her time with her friends, but if she’s right-
Scylla puts the plan into motion. Leaning over just a little in her seat, extending her arm towards Raelle and placing a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Just enough to garner Raelle’s attention. She holds Raelle’s curious gaze, then leans in further, whispering, “Did Charvel let you see our rooms. I’m a little tired and might turn in early tonight.”
“Uh, no. Sorry, but I’m sure we can ask someone less scary to help us find them after dinner.”
While Raelle responds, Scylla quickly scans the table, noticing Tally looking in their direction.
She flashes Raelle a smile, batting her eyelashes a few times, “Thank you.” And runs her fingers through Raelle’s hair, fiddling with a few locks. “There’s a leaf in your hair.” She fibs, low enough so only Raelle can hear, “All gone now.”
Her little stunt earns her a soft and grateful ‘thank you’ from Raelle and a face from Tally that if it could speak for itself it would say, ‘Oh my Goddess aren’t they adorable!’
Once Raelle resumes devouring her salad, Scylla subtly surveys the rest of the table and notices a few knowing glances from their other friends. Smiling. Not in shock but lovingly, like they expected this from her. From her… and Raelle.
The startling realization sends her heart into an immediate gallop and suddenly, breathing becomes an issue. She needs to get out of here, now.
“Raelle, darling, can you come with me please?” Scylla asks as calmly as she can, desperate to escape before the walls collapse in on her.
Raelle swallows her mouthful of romaine, eyeing her like she just grew a second head.
“Uhh, you feeling okay… sweetie?”
Raelle’s impromptu term of endearment elicits an audible ‘Aw’ from the groomsman sitting to her immediate left. Leave it to Raelle’s twisted sense of humor to try and play along while making things worse at the exact same time.
“Mmhmm!” Scylla mumbles, pulling Raelle by the arm out of the dining room. Dragging her around a corner and onto a private balcony. Scylla closes the door behind them. Then puts her hands on her hips marching past Raelle all the way to the railing. She stops, taking a long steadying breath before pivoting on her heel to face her bewildered best friend.
“Scylla, what’s going on? What’s wrong?”
“They think we’re dating.” Scylla blurts out as she paces.
Raelle’s face falls, brows furrowing, “Who thinks that?”
Scylla gestures her hands wildly towards the dining room, “Everyone!”
“Why on earth would they think that?!”
“Hell, if I know. I mean, it’s you and me. That’s just weird.”
Raelle crosses her arms, mildly offended, “Weirder things have happened.”
“Whose side are you on here?!”
Raelle tosses her hands up in surrender, “Why do there need to be sides? Let’s just clear this all up. I’ll march back in there and announce loud enough for everyone to hear that we aren’t dating. Never gonna happen. Would that calm you down?”
Raelle moves to go inside, and it clicks. Scylla reaches out grabbing Raelle’s arm.
“You’re giving me whiplash, Ramshorn.” Raelle groans, stopping her dead in her tracks.
“Maybe we can go with this.”
“What do you mean?”
“If they think we’re dating, we could just let them.” Scylla explains.
“W-why would we do that?”
“Because then we’d have dates for this week. Problem solved.”
“Umm problem not solved. We aren’t a we.”
“Our friends seem to think we are.”
“Goddess knows why.”
“Am I not good enough for you to pretend to date?”
“What? No, Scyl you’re literally perfect-”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Raelle stalls and Scylla takes advantage of the lull, moving into her space and caressing her forearms.
“It’s only for one week. Once the wedding is over, we go back to our normal lives hardly seeing any of these people. It would be like it never happened. Please think about it. Our parents arrive tomorrow. This could be our golden ticket to save us both from embarrassment.”
Raelle takes a few seconds to mull it over, chewing her bottom lip as she processes. “Fine. I’ll think about it.” She eventually concedes.
“Thank you!” Scylla hesitates before letting go of Raelle, sensing her unease. “Do you need a hug before we go back in?”
Raelle releases a heavy sigh. “Yes, please.”
Scylla pulls Raelle in for a hug, rubbing soothing circles along her back while she takes a few deep breaths. After a few serene seconds, the door to the balcony swings open.
“Is everything okay?” Charvel asks. Voice laced with concern.
Scylla steps away from Raelle, racking her brain for an adequate response. Before she can say anything, Raelle grabs her hand.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” Raelle says, squeezing her hand, “Right, sweetie?”
“Uh-yes, darling.” Scylla quickly responds following Raelle’s lead.
Charvel beams at the two of them and accompanies them back to the dining hall, proceeding as if everything was totally normal.
“Of course, Charvel put us in a single room with one giant bed.” Raelle huffs, plopping herself on said large bed and lying flat on her back, “How did we get into this mess?”
Scylla sighs, taking a seat along the edge next to Raelle’s splayed body. “I honestly don’t know. Everyone seems weirdly okay with it and happy for us.” She picks at the loose threads of her jeans. Fighting the urge to light up a cigarette. “Do you think our parents will buy it?”
“Well,” Raelle begins, adjusting and propping herself up on both elbows, “-if our closest friends seem convinced that we’re dating, then our parents should be too… As long as we get our stories straight.”
“Right.” Scylla agrees, shaking out her hands to dispel the excessive nerves, “As far as we know, all of this us gossip stemmed from Charvel. She did the groomsmen debriefing, the seating arrangements for dinner, and gave us this room… with one giant bed.”
“Yes, and since we met her for the first time at the bridal party, she must have made the assumption then.”
Scylla ponders for a moment, processing what they know so far. Everything seemed to fall into place except one stubborn piece. “I just can’t wrap my head around why Abigail didn’t stop this?”
“She’ll never admit it, but I’m pretty sure she’s scared of Charvel. With good reason too.” Raelle explains with a sympathetic grin. “Besides, I doubt Abigail was involved with any minor decisions like where people should sit at meals. Maybe she doesn’t know?”
“Oh, she knows something. She gave me a death glare when we first arrived.” Scylla releases a hollow laugh, “Can’t wait for the super fun interrogation I’m certain is in my future.”
Raelle sits up fully, scooting to sit along the edge of the bed next to Scylla. Brows furrowed as she mulls things over.
“Yeah, now that you mention it, Abigail was acting a little strange during our debriefing, like she was dying to talk to me about something, but not nearly as weird as Tally. Tally kept whispering, ‘I’m so happy for you’ and giving me two thumbs up anytime Charvel was staring at her clipboard.”
Scylla rests her hands on her thighs, taking a deep breath and hoisting herself to her feet.
“Okay, so they are definitely going to jump all over us first thing tomorrow.”
“Definitely.” Raelle agrees, “What should we tell them?”
Scylla shrugs, “We say you asked me out a few weeks before the bridal party.”
Raelle throws her head back and laughs. “Me? Nuh uh! This was your idea. You should be the one to fake ask me out.”
“Fine.” Scylla grits. Thinking it wise to concede to this technicality.
She slowly paces the room lost in thought.
Rationally, Scylla knew any story would do. Dinner and a movie. Dancing and drinks. It was a hypothetical date. A figment of her imagination. Only problem- well, one particular problem with fake dating Raelle on a continuously expanding laundry list of problems she is trying very hard not to fixate on- is concocting a plausible first date to take Raelle on. Especially since this is something she has never thought about.
Ever.
Why would she? They were friends- best friends. Always have been.
Sure, Raelle has gone on her fair share of dates with other women. So has she, but Scylla never once thought to probe Raelle for the finer details beyond: Did you have fun? Are you going to see her again?
“Sooo,” Raelle pushes, “How did you pretend ask me out?”
“Uh, well…” Scylla mumbles, trying to stall a little bit longer. Making the most of each second to think, think, think-
Asking out… Raelle.
On a date.
A date with Raelle.
She blurts out the first idea that comes to mind.
“I’d probably take you to the bakery on 3rd, the one with the really good coffee. Wait until after you’ve had your second cup and third almond croissant, so I know you’re fully awake and in a good mood. After you agreed to go out with me, I’d arrange a picnic in the park. We would grab dim sum from that amazing Chinese place on the corner, the one you like to stop by after your double shifts. Then we’d catch a bus to Golden Gate Park. Pitch a blanket in the rose garden. Talk, eat, people watch, smell the roses. Just see where things go from there.”
Scylla almost blushes under Raelle’s proud gaze.
“Good food and good company surrounded by my favorite flowers.” Raelle beams. A lopsided smile forming out of the corner of her mouth. “Um, how’d you come up with that so fast?”
Scylla shoves her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. Refraining from giving in to the overwhelming urge to dart for the lighter and pack of cigarettes in her purse. She shrugs, staring at her shoes. “I just know you really well. That’s all.” She states matter-of-factly. Looking up after a beat to meet Raelle’s stare. Eyes locking for just a second, before Raelle looks off to the right, smiling even wider than before.
“Picnic in the park sounds like a lot of fun.” Raelle mutters softly.
“Yeah, it does.” Scylla admits.
“Maybe we can do that when we get back.”
Scylla’s heart lodges straight into her throat forcing her to cough. “Go on a date?”
Raelle chuckles, rolling her eyes. “No silly, not the date part. The eating and having fun in the park part.”
Scylla swallows hard, forcing her heart back where it belongs. “Right- sure, sure. Let’s do it. Picnic in the park after this is all over.”
“Okay. It’s not a date, then.” Raelle chuckles at her own joke. Then pushes off the bed and saunters towards her. “So, to recap our pretend dating story. We’ve been together for about four months. You asked me out on a super fun and pretty romantic first date. I was clearly hooked from the start and here we are now.”
“Yes, here we are…” Scylla echoes, trailing off at the end. Licking her lips, mouth suddenly dry. “You know, to make this seem real, we’re going to have to be affectionate. With each other. Like couples do.”
“Right. That makes sense.” Raelle chews her bottom lip like she typically does when she’s nervous. Scylla finds it oddly distracting at this particular moment. She blinks, looking at anything else but Raelle’s face.
“Um, so, what are you comfortable with? PDA wise, that is.”
Raelle shrugs, “I’m game for whatever we need to do.”
“Are you sure?”
Raelle nods.
“Good, because I don’t want you to feel like you need to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Our friendship comes first. Always.”
“Scyl, relax. I can handle a little touching here and there. I promise it won’t ruin anything.”
“Okay.” Scylla reaches out for Raelle, testing the waters. “Are you comfortable with holding hands?” She takes both of Raelle’s hands, loosely threading their fingers together. “Like this.”
Raelle rolls her eyes, “Of course, we’ve done this like a million times.” Scylla catches a twinkle of mischief in her sky-blue eyes as Raelle’s hands detach from hers and settle on her lower back instead.
“What about hugging?” Raelle challenges, “Can you handle that?”
“Don’t be silly. I hug you on a daily basis.” Scylla retorts, taking it a step further and moving into Raelle’s space. Placing them chest to chest. So close, the subtle thumping of Raelle’s heart becomes noticeable.
Scylla takes a deep breath, psyching herself for what comes next.
“And kissing?” Scylla says just above a whisper. Her voice quivers subtly, betraying her budding anxiety.
She threads her fingers into Raelle’s hair before she loses her courage, anchoring one hand at the base of Raelle’s neck. Watching her eyelashes flutter a few times before she nods firmly.
This was something they’ve never done before, but it was a bridge that needed crossing to successfully sell their fabricated relationship to their closest friends and family.
It was now or never.
Scylla leans in gravitating towards Raelle. Just before they connect, Scylla’s struck with a wicked idea. She pivots at the last second, placing a peck on Raelle’s cheek instead, hovering less than an inch from Raelle’s face and whispering along the shell of her ear, “Try not to fall in love with me, Collar.”
Raelle stiffens. Completely stunned as Scylla slowly pulls away. She chuckles. Far too pleased with herself from catching Raelle off guard. After a few satisfying seconds, Raelle blinks away the surprise. Sky-blue eyes lock onto hers, swimming with something.
It’s intense. Alluring. Very distracting.
Before Scylla has a chance to unpack that look, the sky-blue eyes drop. Landing on her lips.
Scylla swallows and Raelle closes the distance, and this time it’s Scylla who isn’t fully prepared. Every nerve-ending on overdrive, buzzing with anticipation. She closes her eyes, hoping the darkness behind her eyelids will help prepare her for what comes next.
“Mhmm,” The vibration pulsates against Scylla’s lips causing her breath to audibly hitch. “I get the feeling you’re going to have a much harder time not falling in love with me, Ramshorn.” Raelle purrs just before brushing the tips of their noses together and pulling away.
“Is that so?” Scylla stammers as her eyes open, trying to catch her breath.
She should just do it now. Kiss the smugness right off Raelle’s face.
But she doesn’t.
Instead Raelle steps back a few paces, proclaiming, “Guess we’ll have to wait and see. Won’t we?” before heading off into the bathroom.