At last, a new chapter for this fic! Thank you all for waiting so patiently and for leaving words of encouragement throughout this story's hiatus. It really motivated me to come back to this story! I am really excited to say I figured a direction to take this story that differs from the movie but is still similar enough that it has the 27 Dresses feel to it. I hope you'll like where it goes! I also went back and re-edited/re-wrote the first 3 chapters. It's not necessary to re-read them since the plot is still the same but I just felt like I had to because it was sort of a grammatical mess. So consider this, The Bridesmaid and The Journalist 2.0. Thank you all again for your continued support and for not losing hope on this story.
Apparently, interrupting yoga class with a cacophony of text alerts is highly frowned upon. This, I learn on Tuesday afternoon when both Dan and Serena simultaneously bombard my phone. The instructor, a lithe blonde woman sans makeup, bangs a gong and points to the "Digital Detox Zone" sign with a stern glare.
"For fuck's sake," I whisper to Georgina from the back row where we're currently in downward dog. "The bitch won't even give me a second to silence it." I switch it onto Do Not Disturb, not even breaking position. But not before I glance at the texts.
Dan: Just checking in again, is Thursday good?
Dan: I know you're busy. But it won't take more than an hour.
Serena: Hey have you had a chance to make plans to meet up with Dan? Thanks again B for agreeing, you're the best!
Serena: PS Have a surprise for you at home for being the best maid of honor ever xxx
No, Serena, I haven't had time in the last 48 hours to see Dan and tell him all about your pre-wedding state of bliss, I mentally reply. But thinking of her last text, I exhale out my anger and remind myself of why I love her. She is undoubtedly sweet and thoughtful and for that, I have to be grateful. I just hate that I feel like I'm balancing two full-time jobs. And if I must admit, it irks me a little now that Dan went from being an unbiased outsider to which I could vent to now being entangled in this wedding madness.
Georgina takes my phone and reads the text, instantly scoffing. "What are you their personal assistant? Why the fuck can't they tell Dan about their relationship themselves? Not that anyone actually wants to read that shit."
The instructor bangs the gong once more, this time giving us an even more stern glance. Georgina and I meet eyes and then in sync, glance at the clock. This class only has ten minutes anyways. We both roll up our mats and pad out of the class as quietly as possible.
"By the way," Georgina says once we're out of the class and grabbing our stuff from the lockers. "I forgot to tell you, I googled this writer of yours and he is cute. So I guess you shouldn't complain too much about having to help him with the wedding write-up."
"He's not mine," I correct, not liking her insinuation. "We're acquaintances. Business acquaintances."
"Uh huh," Georgina nods, unconvinced. "So that's why he sends you flowers and asks you to meet him for drinks?"
"That was before I found out he was Lincoln Hall." I reply following her out the yoga studio doors. "Anyway, why does it matter? He's irrelevant."
"I just want to know if you're going snag him or not because if not, I'll gladly take him." Georgina winks at me and I wrinkle my nose in response.
"Please don't," I say instantly. "The Nate and Serena situation is sickening enough, I don't want need another gross duo to watch drool over themselves."
"Okay, B," Georgina pushes open the door to the smoothie bar we always go to after class. "I'll let you pretend that's why you don't want me to sleep with him."
Ignoring her, I order a green smoothie and step off to the side while Georgina orders and then goes to the bathroom. I pull out my phone from my bag and type a reply to Dan.
Blair: Thursday is fine. But there better be alcohol involved.
Dan: Of course. At least one drink deep is the only way I write these articles.
Blair: How unsurprising coming from the marriage-hater.
Dan: If you'd rather we can chat over a romantic comedy at 7 PM when the theater is bound to be filled with PDA-obsessed teens. Quite the ambiance I imagine...
Blair: Teens don't go to rom coms to make out. They go to horror movies. (*eye roll emoji*)
Dan: And you're such an expert on this how?
Before I can type a witty reply I feel Georgina leaning over my shoulder. "Oh, flirting. Totally business-like." She comments snarkily, her eyes still on the text exchange.
I quickly snap the phone into locked mode and make my way toward the counter to grab my smoothie. "That wasn't flirting."
"A poor attempt at flirting, I'd say." Georgina replies. "I can give you some pointers if you want. You could step it up a bit, maybe take a few pic-"
"No!" I cover my ears. "Please don't give me sexting tips. I don't need them."
"Your loss," Georgina laughs taking a sip of her strawberry smoothie. "Come on, let's go get you a new dress to wear to your date on Thursday."
I let myself be dragged by her out of the smoothie bar, but not before declaring that it definitely won't be a date.
"Yay! You're home!" Serena jumps up from the couch the moment I arrive home later that evening. "I have a present for you," She hands me a neatly wrapped box.
"What's this for?" I laugh, delicately pulling at the satin ribbon as she sits me down on the couch. The box is a large rectangle and heavy enough that I set it on my lap as I lift off the lid.
"Oh, come on, B. I know I'm not exactly the easiest best friend, especially since I'm not only making you plan my wedding but also put me up for who knows how long. You deserved something. And I saw you looking at those on Net-A-Porter the other night." She smiles brightly at me as I pull out a pair of Sophia Webster strappy sandals. They see ordinary until I spin them 360 degrees to reveal a crystal heel.
"S, these are beautiful. I can't believe you got me these." I say, instantly filled with gratitude. "I was never actually going to buy them for myself, I wasn't sure if they were a little much-"
"No, way!" Serena eases my worries. "They'll look perfect on you. I just wish we were the same size so I could snag them from you every now and then."
She bumps me playfully against the shoulder and I can't help but beam back at her. It's moments like this where I'm reminded why she's worth it. I'm so cheered by her thoughtfulness that I suggest we look up wedding dresses and for once, find the planning not so headache-inducing and sort of fun. I suggest a classy cap sleeve gown while Serena, of course, insists on a sweetheart neckline. After pinning over a dozen dresses to her Pinterest board, we log off and click on Clueless, Serena's favorite movie.
Serena drapes a blanket over us, just like old times, and for the first time since she came back, find myself grateful for her company.
I don't wear a new dress to meet Dan and I'm glad. Because I'm pretty sure he's sent me to a street corner that will likely be the death of me. Or the start of my career as a prostitute. Thank god, I didn't wear that little red dress with the high cut slit Georgina tried to make me borrow.
I wrap my trench coat around me tighter and type a furious text I look around surreptitiously. I'm standing in front of a seedy looking brick building and I counted 5 bums just on this block.
Blair: Is this a fucking joke? I thought you were interviewing me for your article on Serena's wedding. Not a story on crime in Brooklyn.
I hear a laugh resonate from behind me and spin around. It's Dan, laughing at his phone screen before he looks up at me. "Relax, Waldorf and just follow me."
"No, thank you," I elbow him sharply trying to catch up as he walks toward the steel door of the brick building. "Not until you tell me, what this is. This is the seediest neighborhood I've ever been to. I knew I shouldn't have let you talk me into coming to Brooklyn."
Dan ignores me and links his arm through mine so he can tug me to the door where he knocks in a pattern that's almost comical. The door swings open and I step closer to him, almost hiding behind him in fear of what will be behind the door.
I see just about what I expect as a ginormous man opens the door revealing only a dark corridor. "At what track did the record stop?" He asks in an ominous tone.
"Four." At Dan's reply, the door is opened fully and the man gestures for us to enter.
"Oh, god." I murmur into Dan's ear, accidentally close enough that I smell his cologne. "Is this some sex club? Am I going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder?"
"Where do you come up with these scenarios?" Dan laughs as he guides me to the left. When we round the corner, I see a 1920s style bar with dim lighting and a handful of guests sipping on cocktails. There are chandeliers with lit candles that provide an ambiance that's romantic and understated. The wallpaper is baroque and reminds me of something out of The Great Gatsby.
"It's a speakeasy," I breathe in awe, looking around us.
"Correct." Dan says with a smirk. "Now, will you loosen up your death grip."
I look down and see that I am indeed holding his arm with a steely grasp and drop his arm immediately. "Next time, just tell me you're taking me to a speakeasy instead of all the smoke and mirrors."
He looks at me in amusement and I realize what I just said: Next time. Like we will do this again. Like this isn't just about the article.
"No," Dan says gravely and I feel a rush of disappointment. But then his lips quirk, "It's far more amusing to watch you spiral in a pit of despair."
I kick him in the shin and lean across the bar to grab a menu, not grabbing him one. Before surveying the drink options, I shrug off my coat and drape it across my arm. I see through my peripheral vision, Dan's eyes have briefly looked at my now bare arms but they're gone without an instant. I look down self-consciously and wonder if that was an appreciative glance he just gave me or not. Not that I care.
I'm wearing the only dress Georgina and I could agree on. It's one I've had for almost a year now but never worn. It's an emerald green satin slip dress with straps thinner than the finest ribbon and it flounces delicately above my kneecaps. I was worried it was a little too revealing but Georgina still won out in convincing me to wear it. And I had to admit, it was better than that Pretty Woman dress she had tried to loan me.
The bartender makes his way over to us and Dan smoothly slides out his credit card, motioning for me to order. Once our drink orders are in, he guides us over to a booth in the corner and I slide in across from him letting my discarded coat rest beside me.
"So duped anyone else with your hidden identity lately?" I ask him, bringing my elbows up to the table and letting my chin rest on my palms.
"I didn't dupe you," Dan corrects. "You're really aren't going to let it go though, are you?"
I shake my head, wrinkling my nose playfully. "No and where did you come up with the name Lincoln Hall anyway? It sounds like the name of some octogenarian professor."
"Says the girl who saves all my articles," Dan says with a sly grin.
"I don't save all your articles." I feel my cheeks heat. "It was like one article and I told you, I needed it for research purposes."
Dan gives me an unconvinced look before finally answering my question. "Lincoln is from the title of my dad's band, Lincoln Hawk. Hall is the last name of my favorite writer, Jeremiah."
"Your dad is in a band?" I find this tidbit at least a little intriguing.
"Yeah, a one-hit wonder from the 90s. Have you ever heard that song 'Everytime'?" Dan asks.
"I don't think so." I ponder over this. "Maybe if I heard it… Sing it." I demand.
"Why so you can not only make fun of my pseudonym but also my singing?" Dan gives me a wry expression.
"Maybe," My eyes shine back at him with amusement as our drinks arrive. I take a sip and let out a satisfied sigh. "Okay, I'm sold on this place. It was worth the torment. Oh and you're supposed to be interviewing me. Why are you letting me ask you all the questions?"
"I like answering them." Dan's honest answer makes my stomach flip flop and I have to look away for a second. "But fine. So tell me about Serena and Nate?"
"Actually, I think I need to drink more first." I change my mind taking another sip.
"Okay," Dan chuckles. "So tell me about you instead. I want to hear more about how you ended up as Manhattan's most in-demand bridesmaid."
I should be humble and say that I hate talking about myself. Yet for some reason, the way he's looking at me makes me want to tell him everything.
So I do.
"So Mr. Hall, do you have everything you need?" I ask tipsily leaning across the table a little a while later.
"I have enough." He tucks away the notebook he had been scribbling in and reaches across and pushes my empty glass towards the end of the table. "I think you have had enough too."
"I suppose so," I sigh sleepily. "This wasn't so bad though. Who would have thought the cynic would make for such great company?"
Dan's lips turn upward at that. "You think I'm great company?" He holds out my coat for me to put on as I rise. But I stumble a little and he steadies me. "Woah, you are a lightweight. Didn't you only have three drinks?" He checks his watch. "Over the course of two hours?"
"Yessss," I slur as I stick one arm into the coat. "I guess macarons don't make for the best pre-drinking food though." I exaggerate the accent on the word macaron.
Dan laughs. "No wonder… Let's go get you dinner then."
"I've had enough seedy experiences for one night," I shake my head.
"It's not seedy, I promise." Dan straightens out the collar of my crooked coat and hands me my purse which was almost forgotten in the booth seat. "You like pierogis don't you?"
Dan orders for both of us after he sits me down at a dining table as soon as we walked in. He comes back with a receipt and two glasses of water. "Drink that,"
I do as instructed and sip my water as he gets us silverware and napkins. I was instantly skeptical the moment I saw this place was counter service only but I do have to admit, the aroma in here is mouthwatering.
"So do you usually only subsist off French pastries?" Dan looks at me with raised eyebrows.
"Ever since Serena got back, I haven't had much of an appetite." I start to say. "Although, she hasn't been so bad this week."
"Bridezilla has been neutralized?" Dan jokes.
"Not quite, but at least toned down. She was actually sort of sweet the other day." I shrug. "We have a complicated relationship."
"So you've said…" Dan nods.
"What about you?" I ask, pushing my straw around in my cup. "Who torments you on a daily basis?"
"My sister," Dan says without thinking. "I love her but she worries me constantly."
I smile at the idea of him having a sister. "What's her name? How old is she?"
"Jenny," Dan says softly. "She's 27 but I still feel like she's a kid. She's been trying to make it in the fashion industry for a while now. Before that, it was modeling and ugh," Dan scrubs a hand over his face. "That was a bad phase because she was surrounded by people who didn't have her best interests at heart."
"And now?"
"Now, she's doing better I think. She cut those people out and got back to designing. I think she'll be okay." Dan nods to himself and I find myself warmed by his obvious concern for his sister.
Our number is called and Dan rises to fetch our pierogis. I had planned to wait and watch as he ate one, making sure they are truly edible and not some lethal concoction. But the savory aroma that wafts over on the tray makes me grab one as soon as Dan has set it down.
The first bite is heaven.
"Okay, you were right. This is amazing." I let out a satisfied sigh and place another on my plate.
"I told you," Dan looks pleased by my obvious enjoyment and adds a couple more to my plate. "I have a feeling you'll be back to a pastry-only diet after this so eat as many as you can now."
"Who knows," I cock a brow. "Maybe you've changed me. Perhaps I'll be all about seedy speakeasies and hole-in-the-wall restaurants from here on out."
"Well, if that's the case," A slow smile spreads across Dan's face. "You know exactly who to call for your next foray in Brooklyn."
And just like that, I like Brooklyn.
Hope you liked the continuation of this story! More to come soon :)
I'm going to keep updating this between chapters of Pearl Island. I'm really excited about the direction this is headed and hope to post a new chapter within the next 2 weeks.