Nineteen

Waking to my phone, Edward groans beside me as he stirs too.

"Hello?" I groan into the phone.

I hear no reply. Just crying.

Sitting up I cover my naked chest with my sheet, holding the phone close to my ear so I can hear her.

"Rosie?" I ask.

"He…" she chokes out.

"Take a deep breath," I soothe, "it's going to be okay."

"It'll never ever be okay again," she's broken.

Edward's awake now, sitting up beside me concerned.

"What happened?" I put the phone on speaker, leaning into Edward's body, as his arm wraps around my back, supporting my worry.

"Someone else," is all I get.

"Emmett is fucking someone else," Edward deciphers.

"Who?" I ask.

"She had freckles," she tries her best to get us to understand.

"I thought you were going to talk to him. Did you wait all week?" I ask.

"I was too scared. I messed up," she whines, "I messed up and now he's done."

"You can fix this still," I insist, "you weren't together. He didn't have the information."

"His face. He had this look as if he knew what he'd done and that it was proving a point," she says.

"Babe, you were guarding your already fragile heart. You cannot blame yourself for this," I say, "we all make mistakes. You didn't expect him to grow feelings and you didn't either. You just didn't know how to digest them."

Rosalie had so many layers. Layers Emmett would have only started peeling back. They'd both screwed up majorly. She'd panicked, he'd panicked.

"It hurts," she begins to cry again.

"You trusted him," I say, "he didn't cheat but it still feels like a betrayal."

"I thought he would wait," Edward says, "that he'd give you time. He said he was crazy about you. I don't understand."

"You hurt him so he had to hurt you," I say, "you're just the same as each other. You're alike."

"I'm nothing like him. If he needed a minute to process his emotions I wouldn't go fuck someone," she snaps at me slightly.

"I know that," I ignore her tone, mindful she's hurt, "we fly home tomorrow. When I get there we'll binge watch Gilmore Girls and eat junk food."

"I wanted it to work. I thought I could be safe with him," she whispers.

"Sometimes no matter how hard two people try, time won't budge from difficulty. I'm sorry. You both were fighting too hard to protect your own hearts that you forgot to protect each others," I say, "but I'll be home and we'll find some way to get through this together."

"I miss you so much," she says.

"I miss you too," I take Edward's hand as sadness rips through me.

Sadness that I can't be with her.

When I hang up, Edward's arms wrap around me, pulling me against him in comfort.

"I'm sorry baby," he whispers, "she'll be okay."

I know she won't.


Six months later:

Nervously I shake my hands out. Rosalie stands in front of me smiling proudly.

"You're ready," she nods.

The large logo she designed behind us on the banners.

"Everyone's here," I look across the gathered crowd.

Friends, my parents and some interested brides. All here for the big day. My big day. The little private launch of my company that I'd thrown to commemorate its beginning.

"I'm so so proud of you," she says, "look at what you have accomplished. You're a superstar. Please never forget me when you're famous and writing books like Richard Branson."

"I'd never forget you," I roll my eyes pulling her into a hug.

"Sorry I'm late," Edward steps into view behind Rose, "the traffic is chaos. I think the President is in town? Emmett's working. He wishes he could be here."

"No he doesn't," Rosalie rolls her eyes.

Edward shoots her a sympathetic look before I move into his arms. He holds me tight and kisses my head.

"You ready baby? You're going to launch this thing sky high," he holds me tightly.

"I'm nervous," I say.

"What? Why?" He pulls back grabbing me by the arms.

"The whole speech thing, the letting your mother and sister down thing, the embarrassing my CEO boyfriend thing," I list.

"Isabella. You won't let anybody down. I'm incredibly proud of you. I'm so happy to be here to watch you shine today," he says, "you have got this. Do you hear me?"

"If I don't, do you promise to take me to ice cream?" I pout.

"Without hesitation," he nods, "I'll be here regardless of your wins and fails. But this won't be a fail! I know business and this is flawless. You are behind this. Your mind and your skills are behind this. I'm not saying this because you control my sex life."

I laugh and lean up to kiss him, before admiring the way his eyes take me in. Like I'm his moon, stars and sun. His galaxy. He sure is mine.

My new office space was inviting and open. Airy. Wooden floors, wide windows and plants. I'd hired an assistant and Tanya as a second bridesmaid. In case I was busy busting for another wedding. I could double book and trust Tanya to smash it.

And she did. She was an angel.

We'd put every difference aside and she'd become a strong friend.

I was looking for new ways to grow and extend my team. I was taking advice from Alice and Edward about how to grow.

"If you could all give it up for my best friend, Bella," Alice's voice interrupts me.

"Go get them tiger," Edward smacks my ass playfully as I make my way toward his sister.

Alice engulfs me in a warm cuddle, kissing my cheek.

"Congratulations beautiful. I'm so proud of you," she whispers in my ear.

The best part of my office? She worked downstairs. She was my coffee date each and every day as I built this space. She would be every day to come. We'd started tradition of trying on her newest designs and modelling them around our empty floors, laughing loudly with a bottle of wine to accompany us. It was going to be a monthly bonding experience.

Taking the microphone from her I take a deep breath. Smiling at Esme and Carlisle, glancing at my proud parents who beam with excitement. Both of them adored Edward for the second they met him, both of them had adored Alice too. Telling me weekly over the phone how amazed they were by my new career path.

Considering they rarely expressed their pride when I was a teenager, they made sure to do it regularly now that I'd given them reason to remind me constantly. I know they always were. But they saw the pride in me too with this venture.

"Good evening," I smile, "welcome to the grand opening of Her Bridesmaid. This business started because of a crying bride in a cafe booth and a woman who got fired for a story about veils."

Alice laughs beside me, glancing over at her big brother. They share an expression of gratitude and pride for me. Both of them are the most successful in the room but they were letting me shine.

"Without Alice there would be no Her Bridesmaid. With my heart and soul I'll ensure that any bride who comes to me will walk down the aisle supported. Regardless of their circumstances I'll be there. Because women aren't there enough for one another these days," I continue, "I have thanks to give. Thank you to Esme and Alice for believing in this dream and seeing it's value. Thank you to my parents for refusing to let me give in when every moment that led to this one felt impossible."

My mother coughs back tears, moving closer to my step dad with hunched shoulders.

I'll hug her after this.

My father sniffs, pretending the tears aren't there. My heart warms at the sight of him here in this room.

"Thank you to my best friend Rose. She backed me from the moment I came to her with this wild idea. She's a very talented artist and she knew what having this inspiration meant to me," I look at her, smiling as she wipes away happy tears.

"I love you," she mouths.

"To my other fellow bridesmaids who made Alice's wedding perfection. Tanya is coming on this crazy journey with me but Angela will forever be welcomed if there's a bride out there who needs more than just the love I can offer," I look to them, trying not to laugh as Angela watches me through her iPhone, recording every moment like a proud mother.

"Finally my end game," I look to Edward, "thank you. You are my strength and my courage. My whole heart. I love you."

He smiles at me, lifting a glass of wine in cheers that he'd picked up from somewhere.

I toast to my new company and beginning, keeping eye contact with him as I sip. When I walk toward him, I smile loving the feeling of walking toward my future.

"Beautiful speech," he praises, "I love you."

I press a kiss to his lips, leaning into his hold.

The night is spent showering my new business. Talking with brides, potential stakeholders and friends. My parents congratulate me on loop before each taking home a goodie bag that Alice insisted I hand out to the guests she'd invited.

Edward's new Bridal editor had shaken my hand and given me her card. She wants to line up a time for an interview.

Once the room is quiet and it's just Rosalie, Alice, Jasper and Edward left, I kick my shoes off and sit up on a desk we'd pushed back to turn into a makeshift space for the event. It was almost midnight.

"To Bella," Jasper holds up his glass, "I can't wait to hear all the stories to come."

My friends repeat after his toast and we sip our wine. Intoxicated and free.

"Tomorrow the real work starts," I say, pointing my toes, "I've already booked three brides tonight and I have another inquiry in the inbox."

"Busy girl," Rosalie smiles at me, "I do hope none of them have brothers."

Edward shoots me a look as if to say 'your mine'. I laugh at his expression, covering my mouth.

"Or maybe one of them will have a brother who's into blondes," Alice offers, "considering mine fucked it up."

Rosalie's phone pings in her hand.

She's standing beside me so I can just make out the text. The number has no contact but it says 'pineapple on pizza'. I raise an eyebrow on suspicion.

"I need to go," Rosalie says, "I have work early tomorrow. My boss has some new artist coming in keen for an exhibition."

"When's it your turn?" Alice smiles at her.

Rosalie's art work is incredible. Her talent is beyond words. Her shot would come one day. And I'd get to beam at her with pride on her big day like she did for me today. I knew she loved showing art and curating it, but she wanted more.

"The question on everyone's lips, babe," Rosalie gives me a quick hug before moving to cuddle Alice, "maybe I'll hang them in your husbands museum."

"I'll clear a spot beside the civil war exhibit," Jasper laughs, pulling her into a warm goodbye hug too.

Edward gives her a wave. Soon enough Alice and Jasper call it a night too, leaving Edward and I to soak in my office.

MY OFFICE.

I own an office space.

"Come with me," Edward holds his hand out, the other holding a half empty bottle of wine.

I accept his hand and let him lead me wherever he wants us to go.

He steps into my own office and pushes shut the door. It's not the top floor and it's not quite as extravagant as his. But he owns a corporation. I own a business that's just beginning.

"Go sit behind your desk," he commands.

I raise an eyebrow in confusion, doing as I'm told. He follows me, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt as he does.

"Exactly what I pictured," he smiles at me.

Before I can question if he's high, he drops to his knees, pushing my chair back slightly and pulling my knees apart.

"The glass is tinted," he runs his hands up my legs looking up at me, as I try to cling to reality.

Fearful this could be a dream.

"Dreams came true for you tonight but this one… this one will be the one I make come true," he tugs me forward by the hips, "but there's a twist. I'll be bending you over your CEO desk. We're in your office now."

My lips part and back arches as his mouth interrupts every train of thought I have.

This time I'm his brainless CEO. Because he instantly turns my mind to mush when I begin to moan.


Thanks so much for enjoying this story!!! I've been so amazed by the response. I truly didn't anticipate how many people would enjoy this!

There's one more chapter in this story… but there's a twist! ;)

See you there!