Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I'm so sorry I never got around to replies! Wisdom teeth out and a bubbly four-month-old don't go so well together! I promise business as usual this week with review replies!

Mixed opinions again! Some are Team Bella and applaud her for not letting Edward explain, whereas some are Team Edward and think he deserved his chance to explain! I love reading your thoughts, so keep 'em coming!

As always huge hugs to Pattinlethr, Iris, SparklyMeg, and MidnightCougar for their help. This would be a disaster without them!

Chapter 6

The next day, Jess and I put the phones on voicemail and have lunch at my desk. I haven't seen her since my meeting with the Turners yesterday. "You didn't know Tanya Turner was a model?"

"Nope." But it makes sense. As Edward's fiancée, I want to hate her. As a person, she's lovely. It only makes sense that on top of being nice, she's stunning and a world-famous model.

"How?"

I shrug. "'Cause I don't follow the society pages like you do, Jess. I know about her because of her dad. I just assumed she worked for him."

"She did," she says matter-of-factly, "But then some scout picked her up when she was on a shopping trip in New York with her mom about a year ago. She's been modelling ever since. Rumor is she wants to be a Victoria's Secret model."

Of course she does.

I sigh and look up at Jess. "I just wish I'd known she wasn't going to be here for the first few months of planning. I didn't bank on having to work with Edward so closely."

She looks at me sympathetically. "I know, sweetie. It sucks."

I scoff.

"Okay. It more than sucks. You can do this, though. You are a professional, and this wedding alone will make us hit our yearly budget. Ignore the fact that he's a jackass."

"But that's the thing. He didn't seem like an ass." I think back to our time on the dance floor, before the look of pain crossed his face. There was something there between us. I felt it, and I know he did, too.

It just doesn't make sense.

"Honey, that's what makes him an ass. Trust me. I've dated enough of them. He's engaged, hits on another girl, almost kisses said other girl, and then comes off as a nice guy? That just means he's one of the biggest assholes out there."

I nod, knowing she's right.

"Should I say anything to Tanya?"

Jess almost chokes on her drink. "God, no! Firstly, she probably wouldn't believe you, and you'd come off looking like the idiot. Secondly, we'd lose the wedding. And thirdly, she'd probably ruin your reputation at the same time. At the end of the day, he didn't cheat on her; he pulled away. As far as we're concerned, nothing happened."

Jess' words echo in my mind; they're the same words I said to Edward outside the bar. "You're right. There's no way he'd say anything, so I shouldn't, either."

"Right." She collects our garbage and dumps it in the trash. "So, I'll email them the schedule and ask them to send the details."

"Thanks, Jess. I'll be here for the rest of the day. I have emails to catch up on, and I need to sort out the Donnelly/Mack wedding with the changes she made last week."

"Sounds good."

She leaves the office but stops in the doorway. "We've got this, Bella. Don't worry. This'll be the wedding everyone talks about for years to come."

ooOoo

I stay in touch with Tanya as much as possible before she jets off, but it still comes too soon for me. Thankfully, she leaves me with a lot to do, which will definitely keep me busy. She already has her dress — of course — and her theme is confirmed. Those are the main things as far as she's concerned.

She's signed Alice up as her cake designer, and from what I've heard, they're planning an extravagant seven-tier cake. It was five tiers, but Alice mentioned to Tanya that she'd done a five-tier before, so she upped it to seven.

Unfortunately, nothing else was confirmed, and she's currently about to fly off to some beach-wear shoot.

"Tanya, I need you to have a look at the email I sent you last night. There are details for recommended florists, transport, and photographers. With the wedding so soon, I need to confirm them as soon as possible."

"I'll check it out at some point, but when I land, I'm going straight into hair and makeup…" She trails off, speaking to someone in the background.

I close my eyes in frustration and take a deep breath. "I know you're really busy, but if we leave it too late, the best ones may be fully booked. We're already cutting it close as it is."

She sighs like I'm doing this to purposefully piss her off. "Okay. I'll have a look, and I can hopefully email you back after my shoot. Wait. Did you copy Edward?"

I sigh. "No. I figured I didn't need to since you're still here." I was hoping to have as much of this done without him being involved. As hard as dealing with Tanya is, I don't want to speak to Edward if I don't have to.

"Well, forward it on to him, and he can choose. I mean, I've already confirmed the bigger things, right? He has good taste, and I know you'll keep him on track."

I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. "No problem, Tanya. I'll email him now."

"Perfect. Thanks, Bella. You're a star."

I smile. "Anytime. Enjoy the sun, okay? We'll get everything sorted out on this end," I say, with more confidence than I feel.

ooOoo

I haven't spoken to Edward since the night at the wine bar. I've thought about him — more than I should for someone I've met once and only shared a dance with — but I refused to contact him. His business card burned a hole in my purse, and I almost called him several times to ask him what the hell he was playing at that night, but I chickened out each time.

What did it matter?

Forwarding the email I sent Tanya the previous night, I type in Edward's address and stare at the blank screen. In the end, I decide to be polite and professional, but not lighthearted as I am with Tanya.

Minutes after I send the email, he replies.

From: Edward Cullen

To: Isabella Swan

Time: 3:57 p.m.

Re: Turner/Cullen Wedding Details

Dear Bella,

Thank you for passing these details on. Tan mentioned you'd be in touch, but I didn't realize it would be to confirm so many details. She really needs me to confirm all this?

Best Regards,

Edward

The use of her nickname makes me scowl. Of course they have nicknames for each other.

From: Isabella Swan

To: Edward Cullen

Time: 4:15 p.m.

Re: Turner/Cullen Wedding Details

Hello Edward,

I spoke to Tanya earlier, and she asked me to forward on all details she needed confirmed as soon as possible. She advised that with the time difference and her shooting schedule, she might not be able to respond in time to book the best vendors. She said she trusted your judgement.

Please have a read over, and let me know of if you have any questions.

Regards,

Bella

I turn my chair away from my desk and look out the window. The sky already darkened, the horrible weather making the day seem shorter. It matches my mood perfectly.

"What's up?"

I spin around, coming face to face with Jess. "What? Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"You're staring into space. You never stare into space. In fact, you always tell me off for staring into space. What gives?"

"Nothing…" I subconsciously glance to my laptop, which gets her attention. "I mean…" I trail off as she walks around my desk and looks at my screen.

"Edward Cullen?"

I ignore her question. His name implies more.

I know it.

She knows it.

"This wedding just has me more stressed than usual. You were right, though; the time frame's is an issue. Maybe I should've pushed for next summer." I get up and go to the water cooler, trying to busy myself and change her focus. When I return, she's sitting at my desk.

"Are you sure this has nothing to do with—"

"It's just the wedding, Jess. You know what a big deal it is for us."

She nods her head and goes to leave as I sit down. "Okay…" she says in a sing-song voice that implies there's something more.

"Okay what?"

"I just thought you might want to know Edward replied to your email asking to discuss the details in person."

ooOoo

Will she? Won't she? I think we know the answer to this!

See you next Sunday!

Fic Rec: Lean into the Fall by ifyouweremine - Bella is leery of falling in love. She soon learns that life is filled with countless forms and degrees of emotions. There is love, loss, healing and everything in between. BxE, canon couples. AH-OOC. Tragedy/Angst. *See A/N inside for more info.*