Five

"How do I look?" I glance over my shoulder at Rose who is slowly walking behind me, eyes on her phone.

"Hot," she says.

"Rose," I huff, "please. I need your attention."

"You're just all wired because you're seeing your hot ex CEO," Rosalie looks up at me, "but you're fine. You're hot. You know blue always suits you."

Tonight we were meeting the groomsmen for dinner. A little bridal party get together. It was our first big bridesmaid test collectively. I'd group called all the girls demanding they have their shit together.

I'd opted for a pair of black ripped jeans, a blue long sleeved mid driff top with a coat to keep me warm until we got inside. I'd stolen Rosalie's knee high black boots.

She'd opted for a red knitted figure hugging red dress, with long sleeves.

"Okay," I sigh.

"This is it," Rosalie looks at the building beside us.

"Wait you're sure? This looks expensive." I look up at it.

Rosalie ignores me heading for the entry. It's incredibly lavish. Alice was completely loaded and every time I got a reminder I felt a little shocked that she had no friends. It just proves money can't buy happiness I guess.

There's a door that is revolving at the entrance. Once we get inside there's a door man who gives us a smile and nod.

"She's on the top floor," Rosalie says.

"I've never stood in a building this expensive," I say.

"I went to the Lurve," Rose offers, "that building is pretty pricey."

I press the button on the lift and glance back at her.

"Make sure Tanya behaves tonight," I say, "this place looks nice. If these are the sorts of people we're around I don't want her messing this up. Embarrassing Alice in front of Jasper's friends."

"She won't," Rosalie shakes her head, "I already told her the paying us comment was shit of her. You know she puts her foot in her mouth."

"I'll be putting my foot in her mouth the next time she shits me," I mutter hitting the elevator again with a little more fight.

"oooh. Angry Bella is sexy," Rosalie laughs.

"Agreed," a cool voice behind us makes us both jump, "ladies."

I glance behind us and my eyes narrow slightly. I knew he'd be here. But I'd at least hoped to use the elevator ride to compose myself. Damn he's sensational to look at.

"Bella. We keep bumping into each other like this," he smiles at me.

Rosalie shoots me an excited look. I pray she can refrain from speaking and that he can refrain from hearing her if she does.

"Edward," I greet him.

"You look lovely. Both of you," he looks between us, before holding his hand out to Rosalie, "I don't believe we've met during one of these infamous run ins."

"We haven't," Rosalie holds her hand out, "I'm Rose."

I turn away again to press the elevator button. Urging it to hurry. If I could just get upstairs maybe Alice could provide an excuse not to talk to him. Even if just until I had to.

If we spoke to each other for too long I would likely drool. I'd guide his hands to naughty places and...

"Bella's told me so much about you," Rosalie says.

That catches my attention. I turn to face her like a whip. It was as if she has king hit me with her words. The fuck...

"I most certainly have not," I gasp, "are you high, Rosalie?"

The elevator doors move open

"I hope good things?" Edward ignores me.

"The reviews are mixed," she glances at me, "but when they're good they are really good."

Rolling my eyes I ignore them, moving to hit the button for the floor we need. Edward's hand moves at the same time, aiming toward the same button. His fingers graze mine. I can't help but jump slightly from the electricity passed between our touch. Shivers rolling up my neck. I pull my hand back as he continues to aim for the button for the floor we collectively need.

"Sorry," I mutter quietly.

Rosalie muffles a giggle into her hand, as she turns to pretends to seem suddenly busy with her handbag.

"Don't be," he smiles at me, "what floor do you need?"

"Top one," I say, "Same as you."

"Oh my sister lives on the top floor. There's no one else up there. You sure?" he asks.

"Yep," I nod.

She owns the whole floor?

"Alice Cullen?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Yep," I look down.

"How is that…" he glances at Rose confused.

"I'm an old college friend," I point to myself.

"Yoga," Rosalie shrugs, "I'm trying to convince her to take up reformer pilates with me."

"Oh that would be cute," I look over at her, "sign me up for that."

"How have we never met before..." he begins.

"You crash tackled me in the street?" I interupt.

"Sure. If you're sticking to that story," Edward shrugs, "she's just never mentioned you."

"She hasn't?" I fake my best shocked expression.

"I'd get a friend at yoga, but a college friend?" He motions at me with his hand.

"We lost touch. I moved to New York recently before I quit my job," I lie, "we reconnected and it's been great. In college we were both studying and too busy to really meet one another's families."

"I've never even heard her say your name," he admits.

"Or you just never paid attention," I shrug, "I didn't pay attention to your name when it landed in my emails telling me I was going to be working under you."

"Under him," Rose scoffs quietly.

The elevator dings, doors opening, before I can smack her with the back of my hand. Edward gestures for us to walk out first like a gentleman, however his eyes are glued to me as I pass him. He's trying to figure me out.

When we get inside Alice throws her arms around us excitedly, kissing our cheeks in welcome. She's looking beautiful in a casual set of jeans and a baby pink sweater.

"You came!" She says excitedly.

The apartment is huge. Floor to ceiling glass windows surround the central living zone, there's a spacious kitchen that could fit ten Brady bunch families, a lounge room with an electric fire place and giant plasma TV. It was light and airy. Exactly the home I envisioned her keeping.

"You're both here," she gasps, "oh and you met Edward. Edward this is…"

"I know," he interrupts glancing at me, "we've met. I'm most certainly thrilled to see Bella once again."

"Oh right," she nods, "well come on in. Let me get you a drink."

Jasper is officially the sweetest man I've come across. He welcomes us with warm hugs and asks us if we're driving. So he can arrange us lifts home if we are. He asks about our lives, what music we like. He shows he's interested in everything we say with intrigued nods and follow up questions.

Edward watches us interact. His stare on me is so heavy I can almost feel beads of sweat.

Soon enough Tanya and Angela arrive. As do the rest of the groomsmen. Rosalie's eyes widen at the tall muscular man who grips Edward in a tight bear hug. The men split off to drink beer and chat, Rosalie's eyes glued to the larger man.

"Shot gun," she whispers to us.

"He's cute," Tanya nods toward Edward, "can I shotgun him?"

Rosalie glances at me. I shrug, pretending to be unbothered. Us ladies sit and chat in the kitchen, sharing cheese and wine seated at the island bench. The boys congregate by the bar that Alice and Jasper have in their large dining room.

"So ladies," Jasper meanders over to us smiling, holding another red wine out for his fiancé, "Alice tells me you're all going to get her to the end of the aisle. Thank you for agreeing to help make her day so special. You've saved it. Her last lot of bridesmaids were assholes."

"We'll deliver Mrs Whitlock to you happy and in love," I nod at him, "you deserve the best start to forever."

"You know I can't believe she'd never mentioned you all. In a year not a word," he says.

"That's not true babe," Alice shakes her head, "I've mentioned my college friend. You know I can be a bit of a loner too."

"That's true," Edward had wandered over to join our conversation along with his friend, "she always cancels on plans."

"I like staying in. My cat is here," Alice shrugs.

I look at her sadly. This woman was so relatable. While I know she's pretending it's her preference, being left alone hurt. Especially when it's often. To watch your friends enjoy their lives while you wait to be asked to join in.

"So, are you going to introduce the other groomsmen," I ask Jasper.

Edward glances at me while everyone's attention turns to Jasper. I shoot him a 'what' look. To which I get a cheeky wink in return.

"So, we have Edward. My best man and Alice's brother," Jasper points at him, "Emmett, also my bride's brother, then we have the glorious James and Peter."

"We're so grateful you're all going to be there on our big day," Alice beams, "you're all going to look sensational."

"Not as good as you will, babe," Tanya winks at her.

She darts a look to Edward, likely hoping for a reward for her supportiveness. Ugh. Could he like her? What if he did?

"Thanks," Alice nods, "well. Drink, eat and mingle! We have so much celebration coming up and we want you to enjoy it."

I stand from my place at the kitchen island bench, glancing around the room.

"Down the hall, second door on the right," Edward picks up a cracker, popping into his mouth as he watches me. .

I look back at him.

"How did you even know that's what I wanted?" I ask.

"Who would know… I am brainless," he jokes.

Rosalie lets out a sharp laugh, covering her mouth with her hand.

"I never said you were. I said your readers were," I sigh.

"But I read what I publish," he shrugs.

"I said what I said. Interpret it how you want," I say over my shoulder as I stroll toward the bathroom he'd given directions for.

Once I've washed my hands I take a good look in the mirror. Taking extra time to straighten out my hair, readjust my cleavage.

"Don't let him get under your skin," I whisper to myself, "you are not in his league and you know it. He's playing with you."

Pep talk completed I step out of the bathroom and turn to make my return to the party. Trying my best to ignore the green eyes following my every move for the rest of the evening.

It's not until Angela leans in to me to whisper "remember every romance film starts this way" that I opt to call it a night.

Rosalie agrees (because she found out Emmett has a date to the wedding and it pisses her right off) to come home too.

As we sit in the cab I struggle with the fact that the thoughts in my head are all shaped like him.


Thank you so much for reading. X