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

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Chapter 18

The rest of the appointment passes in a blur. Jess' voice dims into the background as she takes over the appointment. Edward sits next to Tanya, who spends the entire time with her hand on his knee. They look like the perfect couple.

I hate it. I hate her. And I hate him.

I watch their every interaction for a sign of unhappiness, hating that I can't take my eyes off of them. Tanya can't stop smiling as Jess continues talking them through the schedule. Her laughs echo throughout my office when she gets excited about something, and if I hadn't seen her flirting with Mike, then her subtle touches and beaming smiles would genuinely make me think she's absolutely in love with Edward.

There's a little relief in the fact that Edward seems to be the polar opposite of Tanya. He keeps trying to push her hand away from his knee by constantly sliding forward in his seat to take a sip of his water. She relents, but each time he sits back, she automatically replaces her hand. Eventually, he gives up and sits stiffly next to her with one arm on the back of the sofa and the other resting down by his leg. He offers nothing to the appointment, only answering if asked a question directly.

Every so often, he glances at me, but I give him nothing back in return.

ooOoo

As predicted, the appointment lasts about an hour. We wrap up quickly as neither Tanya nor Edward has any further questions. It feels good to have so much confirmed at this stage. I don't even need to think about seeing them for at least a month or so.

"You've already covered it all. Thank you." Tanya looks to me and then Jess. "Both of you. You've obviously had your work cut out for you, with Edward showing no interest in anything related to the wedding."

She misses the scowl he throws her way.

"Well, we should get out of your hair." Tanya stands, and we all follow suit. "I still have to pack. Who knows how many swimsuits I'm going to need?"

"Where are you off to?" I ask as we walk them to the elevator. I really couldn't care less, but I need to say something. The lulls between conversations feel awkward and stilted, and I know I'll say something I'll regret if I don't keep her talking.

"I have a few shoots coming up. I'm heading down to Florida first for a few days, and then they're flying me to Europe. I'll be in Italy, Spain, and France before coming home." She grins at me. "It's going to be non-stop and so fabulous."

"And you're away for a month?" I ask, making sure.

"Yes." She sighs. "At least it'll be less stressful this time. Planning a wedding while working away is a bit much. I'm happy we have so many of the details confirmed."

"It's good to be so organized," I reply, agreeing. "You know I'm at the other end of an email or phone call if you need me ‒either of us, actually."

She nods, pressing the button for the elevator. "I know. Thanks, Bella. And you, too, Jess." She hugs both Jess and me before the doors open.

"Bella, I—" Edward appears next to me, his voice soft but urgent.

"Edward, come on! We've already taken up too much of their time." With one hand on her hip, Tanya taps her foot impatiently. I try not to laugh as she looks like a school teacher telling off a disobedient pupil.

He forces a smile at Tanya before looking back to me, and I can't focus on anything but the hurt in his eyes. It's then I see how disheveled and un-Edward-like he looks. His suit and shirt are wrinkled, and he has the top button of his shirt open. His hair's a mess, like he's dragged his fingers through it one time too many, and he has a few days' worth of stubble along his jawline. He fidgets, looking uncomfortable in his own skin.

"You should go."

His shoulders slump forward as my words hit him. His whole posture screams defeat, and I have to cross my arms to fight the urge to go to him.

"Of course," he mutters. He steps into the elevator, and I can feel my body screaming in protest with every step he takes.

When he turns to face us, his gaze automatically locks with mine. "I'll be in touch." I open my mouth to speak, but the doors close before I can reply.

Jess steps next to me, linking her arm with mine. "Was that a threat or a promise?" she asks softly.

I smile sadly. "I have no idea."

ooOoo

Over the next week, I work Edward out of my system.

Literally.

I spend my days on the phone with prospective new clients, confirming details with suppliers, and training Jess for her new job role. Not wanting to spend my evenings at home alone, I plan all my appointments for after work.

This is what I know, what I love.

The hours are long, and I practically pass out as soon as I get home, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm reminded of the days when I first moved to the city, when my work ruled my life, and, why I don't have time for a man.

By the time Friday evening arrives, I'm ready to put my Out of Office notice on. I double-check it, making sure the dates and contact numbers are correct before shutting my laptop down. I pack everything up and confirm I at least have my work phone, computer, and tablet with me.

"So, how'd it feel putting your Out of Office on for the first time?" Jess asks as I pass her desk.

"Weird." I smile. "But so good."

We close up and leave together, stopping when we get outside. Jess lives in the opposite direction and is only a short bus journey from the office.

"I'm glad you're going home."

I choke out a laugh. "You are? Gee, thanks!"

She playfully nudges me with her hip. "You know I don't mean it like that. I'm gonna miss you like crazy, but you've been working yourself into the ground. And I hate seeing you like that. So if going home will help you, then I'm all for it."

I smile and squeeze her hand. "I didn't think you'd noticed."

She scoffs. "Bella, you're always in the office when I arrive in the morning, and you're still there when I leave at night. And don't think I haven't notice those late-night emails."

I sigh. "I just needed to forget."

"But you're okay?"

"Yeah." I nod. "Last week's appointment with them was so final, you know? Like they're actually getting married. It made me realize I was holding on to some sort of… hope he was going to end it with her and we'd be together." I shrug. "He's made his choice."

"Their wedding isn't until August. He could still—"

"No." I shake my head. "If he wanted to be with me, he would've decided so by now."

She smiles sadly, and I give her a hug. "You know where I am if you need me."

"Please." She rolls her eyes. "I've totally got this."

"Of course you do." I step forward and try to flag a cab. The wind's picking up, and there are some suspicious-looking dark clouds approaching. The last thing I need is to get caught in the rain. Again.

"Have you heard from him?" she asks softly.

My back stiffens at the mere thought of him. I remember his fake laughs during the appointment, Tanya's possessive grip on his leg, and his hurt look as they left.

"No." Lies.

"He's called the office."

I asked Jess to screen all calls from him. After the appointment, he called numerous times and texted constantly. I deleted every single one. I didn't want to give him the opportunity to explain why I'm still planning his wedding to another woman. Once the phone calls and texts stopped, I asked Jess to lie to him for me, so it doesn't surprise me when she tells me this.

"I thought he might."

Before Jess can say anything, thunder booms in the distance.

"Go, before you get caught in this." I hug her again and watch as she walks quickly in her heels. I want to stop her and ask what Edward said, if anything. Did he ask her about me? Did he tell her anything?

As I feel the first drops of rain, I successfully hail a cab and head home. The city passes by in a blur of grey. The sidewalks are almost empty as the rain comes down almost horizontally. The traffic's slow, as almost everyone in the city has decided on a cab tonight.

My driver tries to make some conversation. "Any plans this weekend, sweetheart?"

"Home." I reply with a smile. "I'm going home."

ooOoo

Thank you for reading – see you next Monday (I'm away on Sunday!)

Fic Rec: The Cannabean Betrothal by ItzMegan73 - Edward has immersed himself in the Cannabean way to ward off the hurt of a life-changing experience; but an unexpected betrothal teaches him how little he knows about life. There is no abuse in this story.