Mixed reactions last chapter – I love it! Sorry I didn't get to the review replies, had a poorly little one at the Health Visitors and Nurse this week. I want to thank you for taking the time to leave me your thoughts even when I can't reply. Hopefully I will be back to replies this week.

Thank you to Iris, MidnightCougar, Ifyouweremine and SparklyMeg for making this story worth reading.

Chapter 15

When I wake up on Saturday, I do something I haven't done in years: I decide to take the weekend off.

I put my Out of Office notice on, just in case, and text Jess to let her know I won't be in. She replies asking if I'm okay and to be in touch if I need an ear to rant on. She knows me well enough to let me have my space, but I appreciate her gesture.

I wait for everything to change, just like Edward said. At the start, I'm optimistic. I find myself grinning for no reason and humming as I clean the apartment. By Saturday night, with no word from Edward, I sit by my phone and wait. I wait for him to contact me to tell me he's leaving her. I wait for a phone call from a freaked out bride who's had to cancel her wedding at the last minute.

I just wait.

I don't leave my apartment for the entire weekend. I spend a day in my pajamas, order take-out for dinner, eat ice cream straight from the tub, and watch films that make me cry and curse the romantic storyline. It feels good to just be and not have to worry about weddings, models, or their handsome fiancés.

By Sunday night, I know. He's made his decision, and it's not me. As I'm getting ready for bed, I wonder how I'm going to face work this week since I'll have one — if not two — appointments with Tanya.

ooOoo

"Jess, can you come in here for a second?"

She sits down opposite me. "What's up, boss?"

"I'm giving you the Turner/Cullen wedding."

She stares at me, like I thought she would, before a smile falls on her lips.

"You're kidding me, right?"

"No," I say calmly, preparing myself for her to freak out. "You always said you wanted to move up from admin assistant and do more weddings. Well, we're growing, so I think it's time you take on a wedding."

"But this is the Turner wedding! It's the biggest wedding of the year. Hell, it's the biggest wedding of your career to date. Why would you just hand me that?" She frowns. "What did he do now?"

"Nothing." I sigh. "That's the problem. We're still stuck in this limbo that started that night at O'Neills. So I'm making the decision for him."

"By not working the wedding? Bella—"

"I meeting Tanya this week before she flies off to work again, but I want you there with me. I won't be there on the day of the wedding, so I want you clued into everything so they can't freak out about it. I don't want Tanya finding out until closer to then, 'cause we both know she'll have a shit fit."

"I still don't know—"

"Jess. I can't work that wedding. I can't do it. Every time I see him, I fall for him a little bit more, even though I try my damndest not to. I need to start separating myself from them, and that starts this week." I open my calendar on my computer. "We have an appointment with Tanya and Edward at the hotel tomorrow evening, and then they're having their menu tasting. We'll then have an overview appointment on Thursday. Can you check to see if you're free for both of them? I've sent the appointment requests."

She walks around my desk and sits on the edge of it so she's facing me. "I'm sorry you're having such a shit time of it, sweetie." My assistant Jess is gone; my friend Jess is here. "Is there anything you want me to do?"

"Please just take this wedding. You're more than ready. You've been my right-hand man since the start. You know weddings like I do."

She grins. "Almost. I'm catching up with you." She takes one of my hands in hers. "You sure you're okay?"

I smile softly. "Yeah. Trust me to fall for a guy who's taken, right? Like nothing can ever be easy."

She shrugs. "He's hot, so at least I know you have taste, which is something I'll remember for setting you up in the future."

I laugh, because of course Jess is already setting me up with other guys. I only hope I can forget about Edward as quickly as she has.

ooOoo

Tuesday arrives, and I push all feelings of Edward to the side. Tanya makes me feel frumpy and lame at the best of times, so I've spent longer than normal getting ready, having straightened my hair and put on a bit more makeup than normal. I dress in what Jess calls my power suit — a pencil skirt and fitted shirt — slip on my favorite pair of heels, and head into work early.

"What're you doing in so early?"

Jess' desk is covered in papers. "I wanted to get a head start on reading up about the wedding. I just don't want to mess anything up and give our dear bridezilla a chance to freak out on me."

I smile. "Jess, you have this. I wouldn't let you work it if I didn't think you could do it."

"I know, I know." She looks up. "Well, look at you. Someone to impress?"

"Nope. You're not the only one who wants to remind Tanya who's in charge. I know she's going to be difficult tonight, so I'm getting myself in the mindset. You know this suit puts me in that 'boss' frame of mind."

She laughs. "Yeah, and it doesn't hurt that it makes your ass look amazing."

I grin as I make my way to my office. I'd be lying if I said I forgot about that.

ooOoo

Jess and I arrive early at the hotel and wait at the bar. We both order water, and pull out our tablets and the paper file we have for the wedding. We're both going through the notes when Tanya arrives with her mother, both looking like they've stepped off the runway.

They both turn heads as they make their way to our table, Tanya especially as she now has a golden tan she obviously got on the shoot.

"Bella," Tanya says, pulling me into a hug and air kissing both my cheeks. "You look great. I love this outfit; it makes you look like you have curves."

Bitch.

I smile and thank her. "You look wonderful. The sun agrees with you."

"I know, right?" She beams at me, and I can't decide if it's arrogance or confidence. "As soon as this wedding is over with, I'll be looking at houses in sunnier climates. Just don't tell Edward." She whispers the last part.

I bite back a retort and force myself to smile instead.

"Speaking of the groom, is he not joining you?"

She snaps her fingers at the server, who comes rushing over. "We'll have two sparkling waters. Ice and lemon." She dismisses him and turns back to me. "No. Apparently, work's more important. I sometimes think he doesn't get how important this day is for me."

"Tanya," her mother says in an admonishing tone. "We've had this discussion already. You pushed him for this job. The hours come with the job. Remember how much Daddy worked when you were younger?"

She rolls her eyes. "I know. He just doesn't seem interested in anything having to do with the wedding anymore."

"That's weird," Jess cuts in. "He seemed interested when he had to meet up with Bella this week."

I could kick her.

Instead, I keep my attention on the bride, who's oblivious to the dig. I feel Jess look at me, but I keep my gaze on the Tanya. "Maybe it's stress," I offer.

She nods. "Probably. Anyway, isn't that why this is left to the women?"

"Definitely," I agree and sort her files. "Now, let's go through this and get you to your menu tasting."

ooOoo

Our appointment lasts about an hour. We discuss everything that was confirmed while she was away and then discuss the upcoming menu tasting. I get lost in my work because of the excitement and adrenaline rush I get when I arrive to this stage of the planning. The bride's so excited that it radiates from her, and Tanya's no different. She coos over the floral arrangements and squeals over the bridesmaid dresses — without making any digs about my size.

"Bella, you've done a great job." She looks to Jess. "You both have."

"Thank you, Tanya," I say as Jess packs away the last of our things.

"I can't tell you how stressful it's been planning while being so far away. And with Edward being at work so much and so hard to contact the last few days, it's just been a nightmare."

"Really?" Jess pipes up.

I stand abruptly, flinching as my knees hit the table. "We should walk you over to the restaurant. They'll be waiting for you."

She picks up her oversized purse and follows us to the restaurant, where they already have their table waiting for them.

"Tanya, this is Mike. He's the restaurant manager, and he'll be looking after you tonight."

I turn to Mike, who's devouring Tanya with his eyes. He takes her hand, kissing it softly. "Tanya, a pleasure."

I roll my eyes and ignore the awkward exchange. "Mike, please email me the notes tonight or tomorrow morning from the tasting so I'm up to date with any changes."

He nods, his gaze still on Tanya, which makes me roll my eyes again. I know I'm going to be chasing him for notes.

"Tanya, I'll call you tomorrow to discuss how this went and make any changes you want, if any." I frown when I see her attention's on Mike. "Tanya?"

She looks at me and nods, rolling her eyes. "Right. Menu tasting and tomorrow. Maybe call me after lunch?" She looks to Mike and grins. "I might not be available first thing in the morning."

I watch the two of them in disgust, and I can't help but want to say something. It's not okay that Edward's struggling with things with her and his mom while she's openly flirting with other guys and probably cheating on him. If this is how she is with Mike, how is she behaving when she's away at work?

Before I can even open my mouth, Jess tugs on my hand. "Of course, Tanya. One of us will call and make sure it's in the afternoon. Enjoy your evening."

She doesn't let go of my hand until we're in the foyer. "What are you doing? I know you want to say something, but you don't want to get involved in that."

"Jess, she's going to cheat on Edward, and she wasn't even hiding it."

"I know. I witnessed the same cringeworthy display you did. But it's none of our business. And if Edward pulls his head out of his ass and makes the right choice between you two, you don't want her to have any more ammunition against you. Run your mouth, and you know there'll be trouble."

"I can't just not say anything, Jess."

"I'm not saying don't tell him; I'm just saying don't tell him now. Just think about it for a second. You can't go running your mouth to any bride, let alone Tanya Turner. If you think about it and still want to tell him, then go ahead."

We step outside and ask the bellboy to flag us a cab.

"What a mess," I mumble.

A cab arrives almost instantly. We both get in, and Jess grins at me as we pull away.

"What can you possibly be grinning at?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "Have you always been this dramatic?"

I frown. I'm not being dramatic. "C'mon. Even you have to admit this is a shitty situation."

"You're just looking at things wrong. Just sit back and relax, Bella. Things just got interesting."

ooOoo

So… thoughts?

Thanks for reading – see you next Sunday!

Fic Rec: A Few Tables Away by Drotuno - Edward spent most of his life trying to be invisible until he got to college. All alone, 3000 miles from home, there's only one person he wishes would see him. His Library Girl, just a few tables away. AH/Rated M/Canon couples