Carmen explains

After lunch the two of you went for a walk through Little Cedars, where Carmen insisted on getting some souvenirs for everybody. Soon enough you went into a building that was meant to look like a homely cabin. It was cosy, if a little tacky. Carmen loved it, though. She giggled with glee as she looked at all the kitschy decorations made out of crappy plastic shaped like cedar trees, log cabins, and lumberjacks. She bought one of each for her family then got your own family some as well. She then spotted a t-shirt with a text that made her laugh.

"Oh, I just need to have that" she said. You followed her gaze and made a face.

"Seriously?" you said.

"Of course!" she said. "It's true, after all." Grinning, she took the shirt and held it up in front of body, gauging its size. You sighed as she did so. Yes, it was true, but it was just so...stupid. She put the first shirt aside as it was too big and then found one her size. "I went to Grand Cedars and all I got was wood" she said with a giggle.

"Seriously, as soon as we get married, I'm getting a divorce" you said, groaning.

Carmen stuck her tongue out at you in reply. "As if. You love me too much" she said.

"Damn, you're right" you replied, shaking your head. "Guess I'll have to put up with you."

"That's the spirit" Carmen replied with a laugh, moving along to look around some more.

After Carmen had finally paid for everything, you left the store and kept on walking. You smiled at her and she smiled back, giving you a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for humouring me" she said.

"I'll get over it" you replied, grinning. "So, you do have to tell me, what do you keep texting Alison?"

"Are you sure you want to know? It's a surprise" Carmen replied.

"Uh...what?" you said, surprised. "I thought you'd be cussing her out."

"Oh, no, not in the least" Carmen said, grinning broadly at you in a way that seemed almost evil.

"What are you planning?" you asked.

"Do you want to know or not?" Carmen said.

"Alright, lay it on me" you said.

"Well, as a little thank you for being so wonderful I decided to organise a little fun for the two of us. Well, three, really" Carmen said.

"With Alison?" you asked, incredulous.

"Oh, yes" she said.

"What...how? Why?" you asked, so surprised you could barely speak.

"I know Alison" Carmen said with a grin.

"What?" you asked, blinking. Suddenly it made sense. "So that's why you knew her last name."

"Oh, I let that slip? Dang" Carmen said, still grinning. "Wait, hang on. Let me show you." She stopped walking and got her phone from her purse, scrolled through a few pictures, and show one to you.

"So I see.." you said, still unsure what to make of all of this. Your ex and your fiancé knew one another? And she wanted the three of you to meet up? "I'm not sure this is a good idea" you added.

"Baby, please. Alison knows I met someone. She just doesn't know it's you" Carmen answered.

"That's even worse" you said. Although you hadn't parted in anger, you hadn't spoken to her in months.

"No, it's not. Honey, do you trust me?" she asked.

"You know I do" you replied.

"Then just let me do this, okay?" Carmen said. "You won't regret it."

"Alright" you said, not fully convinced but willing to trust in your fiancé.

The rest of the early afternoon you spent browsing other stores, getting a few more memorabilia and ending up at the super market where you'd parked at. There, you bought some fresh produce to last you a while longer before heading back.

Just as you got out of your car Carmen laughed gleefully.

"She's coming" Carmen said.

"Alison?" you asked, your heart doing...something.

"Yes" she replied with a grin. "She'll get here around eight tonight."