Thank you to Iris, MidnightCougar, Ifyouweremine and SparklyMeg as always.

Chapter 16

The following morning, I'm sitting at my desk and staring at my phone. I don't know whether I'm willing it to ring or working up the courage to pick it up myself. Either way, I feel like something has to happen.

"You can't call her, yet. It's still early." Jess walks into my office and places a large coffee on my desk. "She's probably still with that douche, if she did go home with him."

"I know." I huff and look up at her, nodding my thanks for the coffee. "I think it was pretty clear what was going to happen." I shudder, because gross. "What if she's cheating on him, Jess?"

"Sweetie, if she is, it's not your problem."

"Even if he does want to stay with her, nobody deserves that." I shake my head. "Did I tell you he was already thinking of leaving her before he met me? That he's only with her because of his mom?"

She frowns. "What are you talking about?"

"The day we went for ice cream—"

"I knew it!" She leaves and collects my jacket. "Grab your purse. We're taking an early lunch, and I'm calling Alice on the way."

ooOoo

Alice is already sitting in a booth in O'Neill's when we arrive. Jess slides in next to her, forcing me to sit alone and face them like a firing squad.

When a server comes over, instead of our usual burgers, we order a few platters so we can pick at a bit of everything. We all stick to soft drinks since we have to return to work after.

"So…" Alice starts. "Are you gonna tell us what's been happening? I mean, we thought everything was okay. Why do you suddenly want to pass the biggest wedding of your career to Jess?" She looks at Jess. "No offense."

She puts up both hands. "None taken."

I look at two of my closest friends, and as much as I try to fight them, I can feel the tears forming. "I… I fell for him," I admit, and as I do, it feels like a huge weight's been lifted off my shoulders.

"But how? What's been happening? I thought you were only seeing him in a professional capacity?"

I look between them, wiping a few stray tears that fall.

"Talk to us. It's why we're here."

I smile softly and do as they ask. And once I start, I can't seem to stop. I unload everything I've been feeling for the last few weeks: how I let Edward sweep me off my feet that night in O'Neills and how he's unknowingly continued to do so, even though I fought it every step of the way; how he's shown me that the Edward we see as Tanya Turner's groom is just a front and he's just a sweet guy that had to give up his passion so he could help his mom.

"And the appointments Tanya arranged for you?"

"Just made everything worse. She unknowingly pushed us together," I explain. "We ended up going for dinner after meeting the florist, and although it wasn't a date, I went home with butterflies and a goofy grin, like I'd just been on the best date of my life." I sigh. "I completely forgot he's already taken."

"What happened at the dress shop?" Alice asks.

I laugh weakly. "That was a total sham. I was already on edge − thanks to Tanya pointing out the dress wouldn't fit me 'cause her friend is just the perfect size zero − and then Carmen asked him to stand next to me… And the way he looked in his suit? Ugh. Well, it just reminded me that I can't have him, and I freaked."

I finish off my drink. "I tried to fight it. I did." I smile weakly. "He's just my type, and we get along so well. Even our professional appointments were fun. It totally threw me for a loop."

"Has anything happened between you?" Jess asks. "You haven't…"

I shake my head, thinking about the soft kisses to my cheeks. "No, no. Nothing. We've talked a lot, and whenever we were out, he kissed me goodbye, but it was just on the cheek. I couldn't do that to someone or to myself. I couldn't be someone's side piece. And he doesn't want that, either."

They both nod in understanding, and silence falls between us. My head spins, and I take a sip of my water.

Alice watches me and smiles softly when our gazes meet. "To be honest, sweetie, it doesn't sound one sided. He sounds like he's just as affected."

I look at Alice and smile. "It's way too complicated, though. The fact that I'm planning his wedding is just the tip of the iceberg."

"Well, now I think you're doing the right thing." Jess slides into the booth next to me and pulls me into a hug. "It'll make things a lot easier on you, and hopefully, it'll help you forget all about him."

ooOoo

When I return to the office, I see that Mike's emailed the notes from the menu tasting with only a few changes to the dishes. He's also added the wine that will go with the meal he suggested to Tanya and her mom, which I appreciate.

Deciding it's better to get it over with, I pick up the phone and call Tanya, who answers on the second ring.

"Bella?"

"Hi, Tanya. Is now an okay time to talk?"

She giggles. "Yes, this is perfect. Did Mike email you the changes we… discussed last night?"

I clench my teeth at the fact she seems so very well acquainted with him. To me, it's clear what happened last night after I left. "Yes, it just came through. You're happy to keep the dishes as they are and just change the sauces? Mike mentioned you'd like to add a salad bowl to be served at each table."

"Please. Some of my friends won't eat the meat or the potatoes, so I'd like a large salad put on each table." She laughs. "A lot of them will have shoots coming up, so they can't risk anything that will affect their figure."

I roll my eyes. Of course.

"Sure, Tanya. That won't be a problem."

"Great!" she gushes. "Is there anything else you need right now? I... uh... have plans."

"Just your wine choices and the hors d'oeuvre. Once we have those, we're good."

She huffs, and once again, I bite back a retort. She's here for a week before flying off again for who knows how long, and she's making it out as if I'm an inconvenience to her.

"Would you rather I email you?"

She squeals. "Yes, that would be easier. I mean, it's just wine and small snacks. It's not that important, really."

I try to keep my voice even. "I'll email you now, and if you can, let me know your choices by the end of the day so I have the information for our appointment tomorrow."

"Sure, sure. Okay. I gotta go." And with that, she hangs up.

ooOoo

Work drags, and I look forward to going home. My mind whirls at a hundred miles an hour, and I just can't focus on anything work related. Edward plagues every thought, as does his cheating fiancée. I scroll to Edward's number on my phone several times but chicken out of actually calling him. What would I even say? I put my focus back on work, but when I find myself staring at the same email for over thirty minutes, I decide to call it a night.

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah. I'm not getting anything done here. I might be more productive sitting in my PJs with a glass of wine."

"Okay. Let me know if you need anything." She smiles sympathetically at me but doesn't push further. It's one of the things I love most about Jess; as chatty as she is, she knows when to be quiet.

"I will. I promise."

The weather's vicious on my way home, which matches my mood. The rain flits between rain and sleet with the promise of snow, and the wind is so strong that it makes it difficult to walk. By the time I'm home, I can barely feel my cheeks and I look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. I'm soaked through to the skin, my jacket standing no chance against Mother Nature.

Warmth welcomes me as I walk through my front door. I kick my shoes off and change into my favorite fleece PJs as quickly as I can. I shut the world out by drawing all the curtains and lighting candles. I find a microwave-ready meal in the freezer and a bottle of wine in the fridge. It's perfect, since I don't have the energy for anything that requires more effort.

After my dinner and a glass of wine, I decide to call my mom. When I first moved to Chicago, we would make a point of calling each other on a weekly basis. When I started getting busier, it became two weeks and then three. Now, with work the way it is, I sometimes speak to her twice a week and then go a month without speaking to her. As I think back, I realize it was just after New Year's when we last spoke.

Once I've finished dinner and dumped my plate in the sink, I pour another glass of wine and cozy up on the couch to call my mom. It rings a few times, and I think I've maybe missed her when she answers out of breath.

"Mom?"

"Bella? Honey? Oh, it's so good to hear from you. Can you hold a sec?" I hear some rustling and muffled talking before she comes back on the line. "You still there?"

"I'm still here. Is now okay? I can call back later—"

"No, no. It's okay. I just got back from the store, but I got your dad to put the groceries away before he has to start his shift."

I smile. "I bet he loved you for that."

She laughs. "You know him. A few grumbles, but he'll do as I say. Anyway… What's up? How come I get a mid-week call?"

I frown. "I know. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch—"

"It wasn't an accusation, honey. I know you're busy. How's work?" She lets out a huff as she sits down. I smile as I imagine her sitting in her favorite seat, legs curled up under her and one arm along the back of the sofa.

"It's…" I pause. "It's good."

"Hmm… That doesn't sound 'good.' Are you sure? What's going on? Talk to me."

"Mom, I don't know what to do. Everything's such a mess. It's just so... complicated."

She stays quiet and lets me continue. "I met a guy, and he seemed so nice, and we just clicked. You know?"

"So what's the problem?"

I sigh. "He's not single."

"Oh, Bella… He's− He's not one of your grooms, is he?"

"Yeah," I choke out. "He is. And it's not fair." The first tears fall, and I let them.

"I take it you didn't know?"

I wipe my eyes and take a gulp of wine. "No, of course not. I mean, I couldn't do that. I met him the night before I met them as a couple. Nothing happened, but I've had to work with him, and the more I do, the more I fall for him."

"Can you take a step back?" she asks. "I know your work means a lot to you, and God knows you've put the blood, sweat, and tears in, but it's not worth it if it's making you so upset."

Suddenly, I hate the distance between us. I wish I could jump in the car and hide out at my parents'. I miss their quiet town, where you can step outside and immediately be surrounded by trees. I used to love going for a walk and getting lost if I had something on my mind.

"I've asked Jess to take over for me in a few months. I actually think I can promote her soon. She's much better than an assistant and has been coming with me to appointments, including the ones for this wedding."

"You're lucky to have Jess."

I smile. "I am. So lucky. She's really helped over the last few weeks."

"I'm so glad, honey. Sometimes you need a good girlfriend and a shoulder to lean on. So she's okay with taking over? And the couple, as well?"

"Jess is. I know she'd rather be a planner than my assistant. Replacing her will be a challenge, though. Tanya and Edward… They might be a bit more of a challenge, but I'll say it's because of family issues, if I have to."

"Good. I don't want you upset like this. When's this wedding?"

"At the beginning of August," I say, the dread clear in my tone. Thinking about their wedding now fills my stomach with lead. I can't imagine how I'll feel closer to the time. The sooner I can step back from this wedding, the better.

"Bella? Are you still there?"

"Sorry. I was just thinking. What did you say?"

"Why don't you come home? Can you manage time off in August?"

I frown. "No. It's the busiest time of the year."

"Oh." She sighs. "Of course. I never even thought—"

"Mom?" I interrupt. "What about now?"

"Now? You're free now? When?"

I grin, suddenly ecstatic at the thought of getting out of the city. "I need to check my calendar, but after my appointments this week and the start of next, I'm good. We don't have weddings for a few months yet, so I don't need to be here and I can schedule any appointments for when I come back. If there are any new inquiries then, I can pass them on to Jess. Would that be okay with you guys?"

"Honey, you don't even have to ask. You may live in Chicago, but this is still home."

"I know." My voice wavers. "And I could really use a break."

ooOoo

Thank you for reading – see you next Sunday!

Fic Rec: Watch and See by JiffyKate - Her sexual experience is limited, at best. She's never found pleasure in it, so what's the point? Now, though, she wants what he's giving. Seeing the women fall apart against his window has her yearning and wanting to the point she almost combusts sitting on the ledge, merely an observer. What would it be like if she were one of them?