Fifteen

Edward places a glass of wine on the table before me wordlessly as he passes by, a simple smile as he continues on his way. I warm at the fact the way he cares is shown in the smallest of gestures.

"He's so into you," Rosalie smiles at me, "it's so romantic."

We sit together at the bridal table chatting. People mingled as Alice and Jasper worked their way around the room. The remainder of the bridal table were at the bar or mingling too.

"What about you? How's stuff with Emmett going?" I ask.

"It's just sex," she shrugs.

"Is it ever?" I scoff.

"He agreed," she looks over at Emmett who's chatting with his parents.

"As if he wouldn't! He'd take you in any capacity," I say, "you seriously don't want more?"

"Right now? I don't know," she looks back at me.

"It sounds like you both just need to talk it out," I say, "he's a nice guy and I think you'd soon find there's more there than you realise."

"Oh shit," Rosalie's face drops.

"What?" I turn to look in the direction that's caught her attention.

My heart drops.

"How does she know Alice?" Rosalie asks.

Edward is standing, chatting with my old boss. She's glancing over pointing at me, and when he faces me, I feel my chest restrict.

"He knows," I whisper.

"How would she know?" Rosalie asks.

Smiling at Edward as if nothing is wrong I stand slowly.

"I need to get Alice. I can't let this ruin everything for her," I say.

"No. I'll get Alice," Rosalie stands too, "go and explain before he blows it out of context. You helped his sister and if he doesn't see the good in what you did that's on him, babe."

Before any repair could happen to the damage Jane has clearly created, the MC announces that it's time for speeches, asking everyone to return to their seats.

"Fuck," I sink down into my chair, feeling sick.

"It's okay," Rosalie whispers, "don't panic."

I cringe through the speeches. Sipping my wine and avoiding his eyes. Rosalie's hand holds mine beneath the table.

Alice's father speaks, Jasper's father speaks. Then it's Edward's turn. I hate that he has to go first.

"Well. Here we are," he begins smacking Jasper's shoulder playfully, "any brother here will know the dread of your best friend potentially falling for your little sister. That became reality for both me and Emmett. At first I reacted like you'd expect. I yelled, demanding he stay away. Then I realised how happy he made her. I accepted it."

I keep my eyes cast downward. Trying my very best not to look in his direction. Feeling shame and regret.

"I watched them become new people by each other's side. Their love shaped them into the couple we see before us today. They'll go far together. My mother hounds her sons," he turns to put a hand on Emmett's shoulder, "urging us to both settle down and find the woman of our dreams. But our baby sister beat us both to it. She looks absolutely beautiful today. Jasper, we're thrilled to officially call you our brother, although it's what you've always been. I can only hope I'll find someone who makes me feel as loved as you love each other. I know your relationship built with honesty, integrity and moments to cherish will forever last."

I glance at Rose. She looks annoyed.

"He didn't need to take a dig at you," she whispers, "I'm going to kick his fucking ass."

"He hasn't got the whole story. He's hurt," I whisper.

"He should give you the right of reply before making conclusions," she says.

I begin to reply, but notice the room is silent. Everyone's looking at me.

"You can do it," Alice whispers.

"Your speech," Rose prompts.

Without much composure I stand. Shaken. At first I picked up the paper I'd scrawled a speech on. But I place it down. My hands shaking too much.

"I thought I had the perfect speech written out. But the truth is no words I could say to you all would communicate just how much I love my dear friend, Alice," I start, "she came into my life when I needed her the most. I was experiencing a weak moment. But with sunshine and warmth she cleared all the storms and showered me with love. Preparing for a wedding isn't easy. There's so many i's to dot and t's to cross. But Alice took on every mountain like it was a small hill. All so she could marry the man beside her."

I glance at her and take a breath.

"Alice and Jasper's love is all encompassing. They care about one another and there's nothing they wouldn't do for the other. We all know how terrific they are together so I won't bore you with what we all agree on. But I will say this… I'd do anything for Alice. I mean that with my whole heart. She's become a sister to me and as someone who hasn't had a whole lot of sisterhood in life, I'm grateful to have it in her. I hope you'll take care of her Jasper, even through the shoe fetish meltdowns. She loves you so much and she wanted this day to prove to you how very much. Even if it meant unconventional decisions," I glance at Edward for a few moments, "love is difficult and time tests it. It's not as easy as movies and books make it out to be. But with the right person, long game always becomes end game. Alice and Jasper are the inspiration we all need when it comes to love. I wish them health and happiness forevermore."

He keeps his eyes on me as I sit, Alice leaning in to kiss my cheek happily, tears peppering her face.

Jasper's speech is beautiful, but I zone out for a chunk of it. Blankly I watch them dance to their song, wondering if I fucked up my own chance at this. If he is the one and I've destroyed it because of a stupid idea in a cafe.

I don't even know what he knows.

After cake, after formalities and after I gain enough courage I walk to him and tap him on the shoulder.

He looks me over and nods once. We can talk.

We exit the function room together, walking through the halls of New York's most lavish hotel, until we find a quiet sitting space in a hallway.

"Small world," he says suddenly, "how your old editor knew my sister through the fashion world. She said she mentioned to you that my sister was getting married and asked you to report on it, but that you had zero idea who she was."

"Edward," I begin but he holds his hand up.

"She said that was no more than five weeks ago. Which is crazy because you knew Alice in college," he bites at me, "I thought about and it realised it's crazy to think you'd ever accept a rich woman's plea for help on her wedding day, a day after being fired from her brother's company."

"It looks bad," I look down at my hands.

"Oh I'm glad we can agree on that," he looks at me, furious, "you lied to me. You had her lying to her new husband."

"It wasn't my place to say anything. She wanted it this way. She didn't want everyone to think she was a loser. Including Jasper. He had men lining up to be groomsmen while she had no one," I try my best to fight back, "she didn't want her new mother in law to judge, she didn't want to feel alone."

"It was all fake," he scoffs standing, shaking his head, hurt clear in his voice, "that is my baby sister. If you think for a second I'm going to allow her to feel alone for a minute."

"Well she did," I stand with passion too, "she was. But I stepped in. She wasn't my friend before but now she is. Now I can't imagine what my life was without her in it. I'm not even accepting…"

"Edward?" A voice interrupts us.

"Yeah," he looks past me, keeping his temper calm.

I look behind me and cringe at the sight of his father.

"The couple are about to leave," he looks between us, "I didn't think you'd want to miss that."

"Of course not," he glances at me with an air of finality as he pushes past me to join his father.

We're not done. I'm not done.

For a few seconds I try and compose myself.

Once I feel less like I'm about to drown. Like I'm about to break down. I walk back into the party. I slap a smile on my face and shower the happy couple with confetti.

Ignoring how much it hurts that he won't look at me.


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