Four

Alice scoops the last of her salad into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully as she stares at the bridal magazine in front of her.

"I've turned all the answers on that questionnaire I gave you into a pdf file. The girls are studying it so we know everything we need to know about you, how you met your husband, your interests. We should go take some fake historical photos. Like us in graduation gowns. The last thing we should touch on is your family," I say, "what do I need to know about them?"

"Okay," she nods, her tongue cleaning her teeth as I continue.

"They're not going to know us. Even though you're claiming to have known us for a long time," I say, "so I've written backstories for all of us. How you met us and why we'd never have had the opportunity to meet your family. Also why you'd never have brought us up before."

I pass a folder across the table.

"Long story short you met me in college, Rose at yoga class, Angela on your recent trip to Italy and Tanya was a client you grew close with," I explain.

"You studied fashion?" Alice looks me over.

"Hey," I narrow my eyes, "I studied journalism. But we had an elective together."

"It's just someone who studied fashion wouldn't wear Walmart jeans," she smirks at me, "what's your size? I can hook you up. We have to get through the rehearsal dinner."

"I'm a 10," I sigh, "Just don't make it pale colours."

"God no. You need deep blues and greens," she shakes her head, "I know just the thing."

"Now as for your family," I say, "Parents?"

"Yep," she nods, "but adoptive. Dad's a former journalist turned ceo which you know and mother decorates homes."

"How old were you when they adopted you?" I ask.

"Like one," she shrugs, "my parents dumped me."

"I'm sorry," I say sadly, "that's horrible."

"It is," she shrugs, "but Carlisle and Esme are everything I could want and more."

"Wait Carlisle," I freeze, "your last name is Cullen?"

"Yeah," she raises an eyebrow.

"You're Carlisle Cullen's daughter? I got fired from his company," I point to myself.

"Oh no way," she blinks, "wait would he know you?"

"No. I wasn't that important," I shake my head, "but what about… shit."

She arches an eyebrow, urging me to continue.

"That brother you mentioned," I wince, "His name wouldn't happen to be Edward?"

"It is," she nods.

"I knew your last name. I just thought it was common enough to not link you both," I lean back into my chair, "Carlisle however isn't all that common."

"So you've met the grump, Edward?" she laughs.

"That's a nice way of putting it," I mutter.

"He forgets his manners. Our mother constantly chastises him," she shakes her head, "Believe it or not I have another brother who is worse. Emmett is constantly pulling pranks. He never knows when the joke ends."

"I can't believe it. Dang, I'm off my game," I shake my head.

"You just got fired," she shakes her head, "you're stressed. Plus you've been focusing on pulling together an A team for me. How'd you meet Eddie?"

"Eddie?" I smile at her amused.

"If you value your life you won't ever call him that to his face. I strictly do it behind his back," she says.

"He crashed into me the day I got fired and totally blamed me. The day we met, literally just before we spoke, he sat down with me. Oh and I insulted his company to his face," I explain.

I pounce into the full story, earning an eye roll when I recount his teasing and sarcasm.

"That day we met I'd just finished visiting his office. He's been looking forward to taking over," she says, "while he's a buffoon, he's smart. He studied business. He was working for Dad's competitor, just to piss dad off. Never uttered a word about the secrets in that company. But when Dad mentioned retiring Edward asked to step in."

"Your other brother isn't keen on the family business?" I ask.

"Emmett is a police officer so no," she shakes her head, "he didn't really care much for the whole school thing. His thing was parties and girls."

"Charming," I say, "is he also a groomsman?"

"Yeah he is," she nods, "and then Jasper's old friend Peter and younger cousin James. I was thinking of having a little dinner for you to all meet. Maybe this Friday night?"

"I'm free and I'm fairly certain Rose is," I nod, "I can make it happen. Any events you need us at before the wedding let us know and I'll make sure we do it. Even if it means bumping into your brother again."

"I'll make sure he behaves. Oh and finally Dresses. Perhaps we can do a fitting tomorrow? I have a few ideas," she explains, "and I can work to make sure they're adjusted to fit you all just perfectly."

"I'll try to get the girls to take long lunch breaks," I nod, "if not then maybe we can do it after work."

"I'll ensure there's wine," Alice says, "it's going to be so much fun. All of this girly time. It's what I've always wanted."

My heart grows a size as I take in her hopeful expression.

"I've got you," I say to her again.


"Oh, just look at my ass in this," Rose gasps looking over her shoulder in the mirror.

"I like mine better," Tanya twirls, the skirt beneath her fanning around her feet.

Alice had given us each a different dress to help her decide what one to pick. They're all the same colour, but in different styles. Rosalie's is strapless, figure-hugging. Tanya's has a spaghetti strap with the fabric sticking to her body like silk. Angela's dress is and off-the shoulder gown.

My dress has a high slit up the side of my leg, with straps a little thicker than Tanya's hanging over my shoulder to an elaborate criss-cross on my back.

"I designed them," Alice smiles, "I made them too. I think you should all wear the ones you're in. Same colour, different styles."

"You made these?" I glance at her in awe.

"Yep. I adjusted them slightly after we met the other night so they'd fit you all roughly. I just need to take a few seems in and hem the bottoms," Alice says, "I thought each of these styles complimented you. I had dream bridesmaid dresses in my head, but no one sold what I wanted. So I made them when Jasper proposed. They've just needed bridesmaids."

"They're so beautiful, Alice," Rosalie gushes, "can you please dress me for the rest of my life."

"Of course," Alice laughs, "I'd love for you to model my clothes whenever you like. You'd sell everything with your beauty."

"These should be in magazines," Tanya compliments.

Her behaviour so far had been fine. But a drop of alcohol in that woman and everything would change - I know from experience. She's a work friend of Rosalie's and while I'd never had a confrontation with her, I knew she had a tendency to be nasty once drunk. One time she said I was a salty bitch because I wouldn't let her guy friend 'take me home'. Rosalie hadn't heard it. Thankfully for Tanya's safety. Rose could be protective over me.

All the dresses are deep, dusty, rose gold colour that shimmered. They were incredibly stunning.

"My designs have been in a few magazines," Alice kneels down at Rosalie's feet beginning to put pins into the fabric, "I'm actually hoping to get fashion week next year in New York."

"What?" Angela gasps excitedly.

"You deserve it," Rose looks down at her, "you're very talented."

"Thanks," she's gone all bashful.

She's adorable. She isn't used to a room full of girls building her up. A room full of girl power!

"Let me finish pinning all your dresses and then we can grab dinner. I'll pay," Alice says, "as a thank you."

"You're paying us?" Tanya raises an eyebrow.

"Tanya," Rose glares at her.

Reminding her this is all fake… that's a big boundary I set in their PDFs. I didn't want Alice to feel lonely because she had to pay us. So I told the girls not to bring it up. To go along with it and make Alice feel normal.

"We'd love to. But you don't need to pay," I ignore Tanya, "in fact, I know a delicious place a few blocks over. Margaritas that are orgasmic."

"I'm sold," Angela smiles.

We let Alice pin and prick us, until we're all ready for dinner. It's easy. It feels as if the friendship isn't forced. Considering the foundation of the idea is to make it exactly that. It was the elephant in room we all ignored.. Unless you were Tanya.

She's essentially paying us to be her friends. Part of me wants to tell her not to worry about the money. The logical part of me says that's not how the rent will see it. She insisted. I don't really know her. I'm doing the right thing. I think?


Thanks so much for reading x