As always, thanks to Iris, Pattinlethr, SparklyMeg and MidnightCougar for their help.

Chapter 13

Perfect Brides is situated in the Upper West Side. Of course, Tanya Turner wouldn't shop anywhere else; it's the place to be seen when planning your wedding. When you have money to spend and want people to know it, this is where to go.

Personally, it's everything I'd avoid if I were shopping for my own dress. While the store does stock and display some stunning dresses, you have no chance of fitting in them unless you're a size zero. The sales assistants look like they belong on a runway and could do with a good burger or two.

Standing outside, I'd feel intimidated if I didn't already know the owner. Thankfully, Carmen has a similar passion for her job as I do mine. She's well known in the wedding industry, largely due to marrying a rich businessman who provided her with the money to start her business. Upon starting, she made a name for herself and is now so successful that she has a sister store in New York. Rumor is she's looking to branch out to L.A. next.

"I've heard rumors about this place." Jess gazes in awe through the window. "It's beautiful."

I roll my eyes. "It's a store."

"Bella, it's the wedding dress shop." She puts her hands on her hips. "You know, as a wedding planner, you could be more excited about this."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, 'cause trying on the bridesmaid dress for the wedding of the man I like is exactly how I want to spend my afternoon − especially when, according to the bride, the chances of it fitting my fat ass are slim to none."

She grimaces. "Right. Sorry."

I huff. "It's not your fault. This whole thing's just a mess."

She links her arm through mine. "How about we blow it off? Go to a cocktail bar, have some margaritas, and forget all about it?"

"I wish I could. Do I need to remind you of the commission on this wedding? We need to keep her happy, Jess."

With a nod of her head and a smile, she opens the door. "Let's do this. Then we can have cocktails."

ooOoo

"Bella, dear, you look wonderful."

I look into the mirror to see Carmen standing behind me. "Carmen." I smile. "It's been too long."

She hugs me before stepping back. "You're a bridesmaid?"

"No. I'm just trying this on for a bride. She's working away at the moment and so are her bridesmaids, so she asked me to model the dress for her."

She touches my back where the dress doesn't quite button up. I got more of the dress buttoned than I thought I would, but it's clearly a few sizes too small. It's tight at the hips and gaping at the top, making it look slightly off. "But it's not your size. How will she see how this dress looks if it's not sitting on you properly?"

I laugh. "I don't ask questions, Carmen. You should know that."

"You should ask questions. This goes beyond our job title," Jess grumbles from the couch.

Carmen laughs and looks to Jess, who grins up at her.

"Carmen, this is Jess. She works with me."

She nods to Jess, looking back to me. "She's right, Bella. There's no way your bride can appreciate how the dress is supposed to look." She frowns and looks around her. "Hold on. We should still have the sample here, which will be much better for you."

"Oh, you don't have to—"

She waves me away as she walks over to a row of dresses. "Nonsense. The dress will look much better on you when it fits properly. Now, go back to the changing room and take it off, and I'll bring the sample in for you."

Carmen returns minutes later with the dress as promised. She helps me into the new dress and leads me back to the mirrors where Jess is waiting.

"Wow, Bella. It looks like a different dress on you. You look amazing."

I smile, thanking her, and run my hands over the dress. As much as I want to hate Tanya at the moment, I can't deny she has good taste. The bridesmaids will be wearing identical strapless, silver dresses, which have a fitted bodice down to the hips that before flare out slightly and flow elegantly to the floor. The sample's a little big around the bust, but Carmen's tightened it at the back with clips so Tanya shouldn't be able to tell from the photos.

"She's right." My breath catches as I turn to see Edward standing just past the entrance to the shop. "You look beautiful."

My stomach dips at the look in eyes. I fight a smile and look down. "I'm glad you could make it."

He walks over to us and stands next to the couch Jess is on. "I'm sorry I'm late. There was an accident, and traffic's crazy." He catches my gaze in the mirror. "It looks as though I'm just in time."

Carmen glances between us, before looking at me questionably.

I clear my throat and turn away from the mirror. "I'm sorry. Carmen, this is Edward Cullen, the groom. Edward, this is Carmen Camargo, the owner of the store."

"You have an incredible store," Edward says politely, shaking her hand. "Tanya's been full of praise from the start."

"Thank you, Edward," she gushes. "I understand Tanya would like to see some photos of Bella in this dress."

"Yes. She can be a little… demanding."

I catch Jess' eyes, and we both grin. Not the word I'm sure either of us is thinking.

"Okay. Bella, why don't you move over here so the flash doesn't bounce off the reflection."

I follow Carmen's instructions, trying to ignore the heat from Edward's hand on the bottom of my back as he guides me over. He rubs his thumb slowly back and forth, which sends shivers down my spine. It continues to astound me how he makes me feel so much just with a simple gesture.

Edward takes photos as requested, our eyes meeting every so often, making me grin and feel things I shouldn't. I turn and pose when instructed, sure to hold several positions so Tanya can see the full extent of the dress.

"Edward, why don't you stand next to Bella and I'll take a photo of you together?"

We both turn to Carmen, shock echoing on our faces.

"Why…?" He clears his throat. "Tanya only needs a photo of Bella in the dress.

Carmen takes the camera from Edward and pushes him toward me. "You're in a suit, which is almost the same as a tux. It'll be good for Tanya to see how they'll look next to the groomsmen."

"Carmen—"

"Bella, it's just a photo. Now, move to the side, dear. Edward, if you just stand next to her. Okay. Now link arms as if you're about to escort her down the aisle…" I shake my head as she catches my eye and winks at me.

Jess stands next to her and giggles. "Looking good, you two."

I'm beyond mortified and can't even look at them. The heat of Edward's body next to mine sears through the dress. He takes my hand in his and looks down.

"You're shaking."

I glance to the side. "I can't help it. This is embarrassing."

"You're shaking because you're embarrassed?"

I shrug. It's a lie, and we both know it.

He sighs, and I watch as he looks in the mirror. "You know…" He nudges me with his hip. "You can't deny we look good together."

He's trying to be lighthearted, to make the tension between us disappear.

Instead, he does the opposite.

"Edward." I step back. "You can't say stuff like that to me."

He has the decency to look ashamed. "I just—"

"You just nothing. You're marrying someone else. You can't stay with Tanya and say stuff like that to me. You can't call me beautiful and tell me we look good together, because we aren't together… And you've made it clear we can't be."

My voice shakes and unwelcome tears burn my eyes. I know if I don't get out of this dress, out of here, and away from Edward that I'll lose it. "Carmen, do you have what we need?"

She nods, and I flee back to the changing room.

ooOoo

Edward's gone by the time I return to where Jess and Carmen are waiting for me. I've pulled myself together and start to apologize to Carmen.

"Shush… You know it takes more than that to offend me." She steps closer and embraces me in a hug. "Is everything okay?"

I nod. "It will be. I just had a bit of a… moment."

"With a groom who looks like that, it's understandable." She tries to lighten the mood, and I can't help but laugh.

"He left already?"

Jess appears next to us. "He left pretty quickly. Said he had to get back to the office." She brings me into her own hug. "You okay?" she murmurs.

"Yeah." I force a smile. "Those cocktails sound pretty damn good, though."

She grins. "Atta girl."

ooOoo

We find a cocktail bar not too far from the bridal shop and go in. Due to the time of the day, it's starting to get busy, with the promise of getting even busier once people finish work for the week.

We find a booth in the back, and I go right for the cocktail menu.

"Are we going to talk about what just happened?"

"Nope."

"But something did happen."

"Yep."

"Am I just supposed to forget about it?"

"If you want to keep your job, then yes."

"Bella!"

I sigh and put the cocktail menu down. "I kid. Can we just not, please?"

She takes the menu from me. "Sure. For the record, though, I'm only leaving it for tonight. I'll be coming back to it at a later date."

"Noted."

ooOoo

After a quick dinner and only two cocktails each, we call it a night. With my mind elsewhere, I'm poor company, so I thank Jess for being so understanding and head home. Right now, a hot bath and an early night sound appealing.

I can figure everything else out tomorrow.

What I don't expect is the figure sitting in the doorway to my complex.

"Edward?"

ooOoo

Thank you for reading! See you next Sunday!

Fic Rec: My Life as a Trophy Wife byJennaRay - Bella signs a contract with Edward to enter into a marriage based on financial gain. She's looking to take the easy road and instead finds a nearly impossible one she must travel on the path to finding herself, along with everything she never knew she wanted. This is the struggle of a broken little girl growing into the woman she's destined to be.