Something was off for a few weeks but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Jade’s smiles seemed tighter, her laughter forced – especially around James.
Part of me wanted to chalk it up to the stress of the wedding, the endless chaos of planning the perfect day, but deep down, a small voice whispered to me that this wasn’t about the floral arrangements or the seating arrangement. No, this was about something much bigger, something more personal, and it had to do with my husband.
At first, I ignored the feeling, trusting the foundations of our friendship. After all, Jade had been my best friend for years. What could drive a wedge between us now? But as the days passed, the whispers grew louder. Something was wrong and I was about to find out what exactly.
Evie’s best friend Jade is getting married and she wants to be there for her friend’s special day.
However, as the wedding day approaches, rumors begin to circulate about Eva’s husband James, including that he was not invited.
What mysteries lie beyond the gossip? What’s more, are they accurate?
For years, Jade was my friend. Our family lived across the street when we were little, so we grew up together. We were chained from diapers to high school. And when it came time for college, we took a long road.
“We’ll be friends until we’re old and gray and knitting scarves for our grandkids,” Jade declared.
I also thought she was telling the truth, especially since she was trying so hard to maintain our friendship.
Jade was fully involved in the entire wedding celebration four years ago, sharing the honor with my sister.
Now I’m a bridesmaid at Jade’s wedding, which is in a few days. Because we had been such close friends for so long, she asked my family to join her in celebrating her special day.
“Each?” To make sure she understood what she was doing, I asked her.
“Each!” she exclaimed with a giggle.
“Each!” she exclaimed with a giggle.
“Evie, they’ve all been a part of my life since we were young. specifically your grandma! Remember all the cheese sandwiches she’s made me over the years, toasted? I’ve never had comfort food like that.” “
A week before the wedding, I oversaw the big dinner party for the bridal party as we got closer to the big day.
“Matthew and I don’t want to have a traditional bachelor party, Evie,” Jade stated. “We want something more elegant.
Jade was stubborn; she knew exactly what she wanted and if I didn’t pay attention to her I would screw it up. I sat down with her and took notes.
“Tell me what type of event you would like,” | he said.
“Just something tasteful. and comfortable at the same time. food and plenty of drink.”
“And the guests?” He took notes as I asked him to.
“Just the wedding party,” Jade said. “But no parents, please, because Matthew will be reluctant to have fun in their presence. It’s not because he thinks my parents wouldn’t appreciate it if he showed them.”
That seemed really pointless. However, Matthew was an eccentric scientist. He was perfect for Jade, if a bit stiff at times.
“He’s not like James,” she laughed.
I had no idea what my husband was involved in. However, I was aware of Jade’s love-hate relationship with James.
Some days Jade was incredibly devoted to him and they would have a great relationship, but other days she was polite to him.
Dinner passed without incident. White dresses were the theme of the pre-wedding celebrations and Jade looked stunning in them.
We had a great time reminiscing while a very drunk Jade ordered my husband to a convenience store to buy s’mores materials.
She replied with a smile, “Please, James,” holding my arm. “Please can you bring the bride-to-be some chocolate and marshmallows?”
“I’ll be back real soon,” he declared.
When James returned, Jade’s appetites were sated with excitement under the night sky.
Everything was flawless.
Then something happened and I wondered if Jade still valued our friendship.
Two days before the wedding, I was sitting at home with a cup of coffee and considered calling Jade. At that moment my nerves started to crack, I remembered. I was excited to marry my husband because I loved him, but the problem was that I hated being the center of attention.
I said, “Hey Jade,” as soon as she answered. “I just wanted to say congratulations!
Plus, I’m really excited to meet you down the aisle.”
Jade laughed.
She said, “Thank you so much!” before stepping back to talk to someone in the background.
“Hey Eva, be careful.” “Since you’re here, I have to ask you one thing.
“Nothing!” I stated. “The Maid of Honor constitution seems to dictate that I comply with all of your requests. Without a doubt.”
“I’m glad you believe that,” she remarked. “Because it’s really important to me.
“What?” I wanted her to just spit it out, so I asked.
“James is asked not to attend the wedding.
Please,” she pleaded.
Why wouldn’t my partner attend the wedding? My whole family was there.
“What? Why not?” I screamed and dropped my coffee.
She stumbled, “Evie.” “Ok, get this straight! I have to run.”
Jade ended the call at that point.
Nothing in it made sense to me. Why wouldn’t my husband get an invitation to the wedding?
especially since Jade was the one who first introduced us. Plus, she was key to our wedding.
My thoughts were racing. I was unable to make out Jade’s gaze. All I knew was that I was getting nervous and that my chest was heavy.
I decided to take a bubble bath to ease my anxiety since I was home alone.
Later that day we had a pre-wedding party where the bridesmaids came together to get our nails done. Jade chose nail designs and colors.
I was looking forward to it all week because it meant I would have some alone time and also get to spend time talking to women.
However, after our phone conversation, I wasn’t sure if I should go.
Was there an incident with James and Jade?
That would never happen to me from my husband, certainly not with my best friend.
I decided to gather my courage and went to meet the other bridesmaids at the nail salon. Everyone enjoyed mimosas while seated.
Jade was not present.
As I sat down, Whitney, her cousin, called out, “Where’s Jade?”
She replied, “I have no idea,” and hung up.
“And how are you holding up, Evie?”
What does this mean? I thought to myself.
“Why not? I’m fine,” I replied.
“Well, I heard James wasn’t invited to the wedding,” Whitney replied. “I didn’t know if you would still be part of the party when you heard that.
“What?” I lost it. “Why? How was James acting?”
Whitney turned to face me, her eyes wild.
“You didn’t know?”
“Jade instructed me not to drive him when she contacted me this morning, but I wasn’t sure why. I was hoping she’d be here to explain.”
“I’ll tell you what I know,” she declared.
Jade was obviously criticizing my husband behind my back and saying things like he wasn’t the one for me. Plus, she said she didn’t want him to spoil her wonderful day.
Whitney commented, “She said James drinks a lot too.” Is there a problem with him?
ever since Jade expressed her desire to keep him quiet and save any embarrassment.”
It totally amazed me. What I just heard shocked me. I couldn’t make any sense of it at all.
It was Jade who was behaving erratically during dinner and asking my husband to go and fulfill her demands.
“I’m here!” Jade remarked as she entered the nail salon.
I went to her and demanded the truth because apparently there were horrible stories going around.
The damage was done, though Jade denied it all, saying it was all just a misunderstanding. The trust between us was broken, even as it reassured me.
James and I were eating pizza on the couch at home that night and I told him everything that happened.
He said, “I don’t understand, love.” “Jade is in trouble.
It’s impossible for me to disagree.
James asked, “Did something happen?” I thought my husband would be direct and honest.
During the s’more incident, she expressed her hope that her relationship with Matthew would be more like ours. And it is. When she realized what she had said, I believe she felt humiliated. That’s all.”
Was it all just the result of a drunken thought?
I was totally confused.
After much thought, I finally decided to attend Jade’s wedding myself. But James encouraged me to take the risk.
He said, “I know you’re hurt.” “But you should leave. At least go for the years you were friends. That’s what matters, Evie.”
I turned down the bridesmaid job and wore one of my own dresses. Jade was fully aware of her actions. She should appreciate that I even attended her wedding.
James said, “Plus, your whole family is invited.” “Go talk to grandma about people’s clothes.
It was a beautiful event and even though Jade and I were losing touch, I was happy that she met her true love.
Even if she preferred him to look a little more like my husband.
When I think about it, I find myself struggling to understand both the dynamics of friendship and the pain caused by someone you believed to be your closest friend.
James picked me up after the ceremony and we went for waffles and ice cream.
He asked me, “Are you glad you went?”
A statement was made: “I’m glad it’s over.”
I’m still not sure if I was talking about our friendship or our marriage.
In the days after Jade’s wedding, I found myself thinking more deeply about everything that had happened. Losing a friendship is a special kind of grief. Not only the wedding end, but years of memories, laughter, and shared milestones. There was a lingering sense of betrayal, but also gratitude for the years we had spent together.Â
James has been my rock throughout the ordeal, gently reminding me that not all relationships last forever. Sometimes they just change, evolve, or move away from each other. Jade and I had a bond that spanned decades, but people grow, and not always in the same direction.Â
As I sat over the ice cream that evening, I realized that even though the friendship I had with Jade might be over, new chapters of life were opening—chapters filled with stronger connections, deeper trust, and love that I had with James. Although it pained me to see the end of an era, I knew it was time to let it go.
I smiled at James across the table, grateful for his unwavering support, and took another bite of the waffle. Jade and I may have reached the end of our story, but my life, my future, and my happiness were still being written, one sweet moment after another.