“Libby Liang,” she says briskly in a tone much different than the petulant tone she takes with me.
“Lib, it’s me.” I pause as I feel the freeze emanating from the phone. “Look, you didn’t give me a chance to respond. You know I’m three hours behind you and I don’t get into work until eight-thirty or so. I’m sorry that I haven’t gotten back to you, but you did say I had two weeks.”
“To put the order in!” Libby snaps. “Not to respond.” That isn’t how I remember it, but I let it slide. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to let you know that I’d be happy to be your bridesmaid if you still want me, but that I have some issues with some of your requests.” That’s as diplomatic as I get, so I wait to see if she’ll accept it or not.
“Fine,” she says shortly. “Tell me about it.” Taking a deep breath, I read my list to her. I am met with glacial silence. “Out of the question,” she snaps.
“What is?” I ask, a bit impatiently.
“All of it.” Apparently, my sister has yet to learn the fine art of compromise. “Rayne, this is my wedding. I will not have you ruining it.”
“Let me ask you a question, Libby. If I got married and you were my bridesmaid, would you do whatever I told you to do?” I know the answer to that one before she says a word.
“We can cross that bridge if we ever get to it,” Libby says snidely. “I don’t see that happening to you any time soon. What’s the longest you’ve been with a guy? Five months? You seem to have a tiny problem with commitment that precludes getting married.” She has neatly sidestepped the question by going on the offensive. She doesn’t know that I’m bisexual and that my longest relationship of a year has been with a woman. Somehow, I don’t think telling her that will help the situation.
“You’re being unreasonable,” I say softly. “I’m willing to give in on most of your points, but you’re not willing to budge at all.”
“It’s my wedding!” She’s beginning to sound like a broken record. I can see how this is going to be her mantra for making people do outrageous things. “You have to do as I say.”
“That’s not how it works, Libby.” I am beginning to get angry myself. “You can’t just order everybody around like they’re your minions.”