Tom said her name again.
"Kristen."
She kept going.
"He told me you wanted me helping with the seating because you were overwhelmed."
She looked down at the folded paper still sitting beside her plate.
"And he told me you wanted me to give a toast, but you were afraid to ask because you didn't want to upset your mother."
I felt something cold settle in my stomach.
Emma looked at Tom.
Not surprised.
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Defeated.
"I told Dad you were welcome to come."
Sophie stared at her.
"You knew she was coming?"
"Not until three days ago."
Emma had learned only three days before the wedding that Tom planned to bring Kristen.
She'd called him.
She'd said Kristen could attend.
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But she'd been very clear.
No involvement in family photographs unless Emma asked.
No changing arrangements.
No toast.
"I told him I barely know you," Emma said to Kristen. "I said I wanted you to feel welcome, but I didn't want to pretend we had a relationship we don't have."
