AN: FFN emails are up again. Yay! So, hopefully, you found out about this update through that.

Welcome back! I'm only doing 2 chapters in Vegas. God willing. This Bella talks a lot and is so excited to tell you everything. I'll have her get to the point in next chappy. This one, I'm letting her enjoy the moment.

Thanks to my pre-readers, Brina and May! Love you.

Chapter Seventeen

-First Things First-

Alice said "yes" before I could fully finish my sentence. She squealed, talked a mile a minute, and didn't care that the invitation was at the last minute. My girl lived spontaneously and was always down to do whatever, whenever. I loved that about her. So many of my wildest and best adventures were because of Alice. She forced me to break out of my rut and take chances. Without her influence, I wouldn't have gone home with Edward that first night.

Now, my thoughtful and insanely gorgeous boyfriend provided me an opportunity to give Alice an experience she wouldn't forget.

I wasn't about to waste and only go half-throttle.

So, before bed, Edward and I joined forces and Googled "Fun things to do in Vegas" on his hi-tech computer. He was as excited as I was, and he suggested places that had great food and entertainment. And as we scrolled through the search results, my mind raced with the possibilities, imagining the fun we would have in the city that never sleeps.

Finally, my zest for detail had come in handy. I had created an extensive itinerary, from visiting iconic landmarks like the Bellagio fountains and the High Roller observation wheel to trying our luck at the famous casinos on the Strip.

In the morning, after taking a preggo drop, eating a quick breakfast, and packing an overnight bag, a car picked up Edward and me outside the condo. We made a short trek across the city to pick up Irina and Laurent at their house, then swung around toward the airport to pick up Alice.

She's standing by the curb when we pull up.

"Howdy, sexy lady," I say, getting out of the SUV to greet her. "Are you ready to have the best alcohol-free weekend of your entire life?"

Alice matches my energy and roars, "You bet your cute butt, mama!"

Then, like always, despite whoever's watching, we do our BFF handshake. We came up with it in freshman year, and the whole thing is very intricate, but the ending sets it all off.

"Finger guns," I say, holding my index and middle fingers at my sides in an imaginary holster. Alice reciprocates, mimicking the gesture with a mischievous grin. "Ready..." I continue, "Set..." as we both raise our hands, preparing for the final move.

Alice narrows her eyes and nods with a determined look on her face.

"Draw!" We shout in unison as we quickly whip our hands forward, pretending to shoot at each other. "Pew, pew!"

The sound of our imaginary bullets fills the air as we engage in an intense battle, ducking and dodging with exaggerated movements. As laughter erupts from both of us as we playfully mimic shooting each other, the memories of our early college days come rushing back.

This final year has been so busy for both of us and sadly, we haven't been spending that much time together. But now, at this moment, I am reminded of how much fun we have together and how important it is to prioritize our friendship.

I can see how she's feeling the same way as her eyes glisten.

"Stop it," I say, gently pushing her shoulder. "We got all weekend to get emotional."

Alice chuckles and playfully shoves me back. "You're right." Her demeanor brightens like a light switch being flicked on. "Soo, you never responded to my text."

"Which one?" I ask, confused.

"About that guy on the team," she whispers.

It takes me a second to remember, but then it hits me, and I feel like such a lousy friend for not replying back. "Oh, right." However, now I'm curious. "Who do you mean?"

Edward steps out of the vehicle with a raised and amused brow. It's quite clear that he had watched our little performance by how his lips curled into a small smile. I am always aware of this man, but Alice doesn't notice him until he casts a shadow over her.

"Bloody hell!" she yells out, startled by his height and overall appearance, but quickly regains her composure and greets him with a sheepish smile. "Hey, Edward. It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you, too," he replies warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Are you kidding me?" Alice's expression is dramatic, and she pulls me into a side hug. "How could I say no to an all-expenses paid trip to Vegas with my best friend?"

Edward smirks. "Well, except for your gambling money."

"You drive a hard bargain, Cullen, but I'll take it," Alice jokes.

"Here, let me get that for you," Edward says, gesturing toward the bag sitting on the concrete by her feet.

She gives him a polite 'thanks,' and he goes toward the back to put it with everyone's carry-on.

From inside the SUV, I see Irina looking at me, and she's dying for an introduction. I smile back and motion for her to come over.

"Alice," I say as Irina slides across the seat to the open door, "I would like you to meet a friend of mine."

Irina extends her hand towards Alice and says, "Hi, I'm Irina."

Of course, Alice scoffs at all formal interactions and goes straight in for a hug. "Hi, Irina," she chirps. "I'm Alice. I've heard so much about you!"

For a small thing, Alice is strong, and her hugs are always so tight, and it throws Irina off, but only for a second. The awkward hug turns into a genuine embrace.

"It's nice to meet you," Irina says.

These two are so much alike and were meant to be friends.

When Alice pulls back, she's grinning from ear to ear. "Can I just say, the jersey Bella wore at the Tampa game was so killer. I'm still flipping out that you made that. You're so talented."

"Thank you," Irina replies, too confident in her skills to blush. She nods at me. "I had to make sure our main WAG looked good her first time out."

Alice laughs, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Well, you definitely succeeded. Bella looked like a total superstar in that jersey." Then she pauses, a look of confusion on her face. "What's a WAG?"

"Get in, and I'll tell you all about it," Irina says, grabbing Alice's hand and yanking her inside the SUV. "This is my husband, Laurent..."

That's the last thing I hear before they shut the door on me.

I stand here stunned for a second. "Guess you're out, Belly," I say to myself, only half-serious.

"Belly, huh?" Edward comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close. "You're still calling yourself that?"

I smile and lean into his embrace, feeling safe and loved in his arms. "Some things just stick, you know?"

Edward chuckles softly, planting a gentle kiss on my head. "Well, I think it's cute," he says, his voice filled with affection. "But you'll always be Bruiser to me."

When we arrived in Las Vegas, another black SUV was waiting to take us to the hotel. The driver was helpful and polite, greeting us warmly as he loaded our bags into the car. He held open the door for Edward and me as we climbed into the backseat. Everything is luxurious, with leather heated seats, cold water bottles, and seventeen-inch monitors that fold from the ceiling.

As I buckle my seat belt, Edward throws an arm behind my headrest and whispers into my ear, "You feeling okay, honey?"

During the flight, I had another little nugget episode. It's hard to pinpoint what set her off. It could've been the altitude, the buffalo wings I couldn't resist, or the anxiety of playing "Thirty Questions" with Alice. Regardless of the trigger, I was able to shake it off by the time we landed.

I nod, giving him a faint smile. "I'm fine now, just a minor hiccup."

"Are you sure?" he asks, his fingers brushing against my cheek.

A shiver runs down my spine, and I lean into his touch. "I'm sure."

"Good," he says, gently placing his lips on mine.

The kiss with Edward is always like lightning. It's bright, the hairs on my arms stand on end, tingles reverberate, and time seems to stand still. It's a moment of pure intensity and passion I can never get enough of. It zaps my senses, sending my thoughts into a whirlwind of desire and longing. It's as if the world around us fades away, and all that matters is our intoxicating connection.

However, the kiss ends up being far too brief, and our friends are quick to remind us that the world still exists and that we are not alone.

"Awe, you guys are so adorable!" That's Alice. She giggles and snaps a quick photo of us before getting into the seat behind me.

Irina gets in and playfully nudges Alice. "We can't turn our backs on these two lovebirds for one second, can we?"

Laurent chuckles but doesn't say anything. He claims shotgun to control the music and hooks up his iPhone Carplay.

"Looks like we're the center of attention again," Edward says softly, his nose grazing the tender part of my neck.

"Ugh, I know," I say, and bury my face in Edward's shoulder.

Thankfully, the teasing dies down as everyone settles into their seats. The driver starts the engine, and we smoothly pull away from the airport. The focus shifts as the SUV glides through the city streets; the vibrant energy of Las Vegas surrounds us. The dazzling neon signs and towering casinos create a mesmerizing backdrop, captivating our friends. Excitement fills the air as we discuss our plans for the night.

Alice and Irina want to go shopping at Gucci and Versace. Laurent wants to relax in his room, eating a steak dinner and drinking a cold beer. Edward stays mum and draws imaginary lines on my palm.

As for me? All I want is this man next to me—just him. Sadly, though, the window of being together is closing. When we get to the hotel and check in, Edward and Laurent have to leave for a team meeting, have dinner with the team, and be in their room for curfew at nine. So, this time with him is so important, and I'm entrenching myself in his arms, desperate to savor every second as it relentlessly keeps ticking down to zero.

The pulsating rhythm of the city seems to fade away as we lose ourselves in each other's embrace, and my mind wanders, thinking about how the slightest attention and teasing just from our friends sent me into hiding.

I whisper, "Please, tell me it gets better."

Edward doesn't have to ask me what I mean and pulls me closer, his voice reassuring. "It does. As time goes on, either everyone will lose interest, or we'll become more comfortable with the attention. It won't always feel this overwhelming."

"I hope so."

"And just remember," Edward adds, gently stroking my hair, "we're in this together."

I lift my head, looking into his eyes, and smile. "When did you get so darn charming?"

He scoffs. "What are you talking about, woman? I've always been charming."

"Oh, really?" I chuckle and playfully roll my eyes. "How did I miss it all this time then?"

Every word I said was a lie, but I love teasing him. The return payoff is always worth it. The atmosphere gets thick with tension as Edward leans towards me, his eyes intense and staring into mine. I try not to gasp, but all the air gets sucked out of my lungs.

"Well, lucky for you, I like a challenge," he breathes in, taking that last bit of oxygen between us as he moves his face closer, "and you're about to see just how charming I can be."

Our mouths come together, and as a surge of warmth and love envelopes us, I realize that Edward's charm goes far beyond words—it's the way he makes me feel with just a simple touch or glance.

I lose myself in him, and it's that easy, but an abrupt clearing of someone's throat and the harsh braking of the SUV snap me back to reality. We quickly pull away. My skin prickles, flushing with embarrassment, and Edward straightens up. He turns to face the source of the interruption while I nervously fix my hair and adjust my clothing.

"This was how they were in Tampa," Irina says to Alice. "I knew it was the real deal when he couldn't keep his hands off her."

"I know what you mean," she adds with a tidbit. "I saw it first hand when I caught them in bed."

Irina's eyebrows shoot to the top of her forehead. "Really?"

"Mary Alice!" I swing around in my seat to reprimand her.

"What?" she shoots back at me. "It's the truth."

Irina wants details, but with my intense glare, my best friend knows better. Her loose lips mortify me, and I glance at Edward for his reaction, but he smiles, seemingly unfazed.

"Can we just... not do this right now?" I plead.

"Finne," Alice says, almost exasperated. "All I'm saying is that you are the epitome of relationship goals."

Irina piles it on by saying, "Seriously, can we say power couple? A total upgrade from Gigi."

That name doesn't send me spiraling like it used to, and I almost didn't catch it, but Edward shifts uncomfortably.

He rubs the back of his neck and says, "Excuse me, ladies," as he untangles himself from me.

I grip him by his bicep, concerned, and ask, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just going to see if Laurent needs some help," he says, but he makes sure to kiss me before he gets out and shuts the door behind him.

I turn back to my friends and shake my head. "You two need to chill."

They have the decency to look apologetic about their behavior.

"Ah, shit. I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to embarrass you," Irina says, leaning forward in her seat and placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, what she said." Alice joins in, scooting across the seat, her eyes warm and sincere. "On a serious note, I've seen a huge change in you, Belly. You're glowing, and I can't decide if it's the baby or the baby daddy."

I instinctively put a hand on my stomach. My emotions are strong, and unlike the nausea, are only growing stronger as time passes. "I know you mean well, but please, take it down a notch. I don't want Edward to get spooked."

Irina and Alice exchange a glance, clearly finding my statement amusing. They can't help but laugh; their expressions show their disbelief. It's as if they think I'm overreacting or being overly cautious.

"Ain't no way," Irina says, her laughter subsiding slightly. "Edward's madly in love with you. That boy isn't going anywhere. Look, I was mostly teasing EC. I haven't seen him this open before. He usually keeps everything pretty private."

I know who and what Irina is referring to, and I think about that for a second, trying to recall how Edward was with his ex-fiancée. Besides the random pictures of them exiting clubs or on the red carpet for his Dior event, they were never photographed packing on the PDA.

It's not like when the paparazzi catches Edward and me. We are constantly embracing or kissing each other, and I have no regrets. "But why did he hold back with Gigi?" I ask out loud.

Irina thinks about my question before answering. She says, "I used to think it was just how he was, but after seeing him with you, it's clear he held back because he wasn't in love with her."

"And I think he was probably afraid of Bella seeing these pictures in the magazines or online and didn't want to ruin his chances with her by showing too much interest in Gigi," Alice adds.

It sounds like a conspiracy theory, but Edward has told me as much, and once again, I don't give my best friend enough credit.

"Oh, damn, I never thought about that. It makes so much sense," Irina says.

The door on my left opens, light spilling inside the cabin and causing me to look towards the cause. A tall figure steps through the doorway, and it's him—the man we were just discussing.

Edward places his hands on the SUV's roof and leans his head toward me. "We're all set out here. You ready?"

My heart flutters in his presence, and I grin at him like I'm drunk. "Yes, sir."

Edward gives me his hand to help me out of the SUV. "Sir, huh?" he says, sounding very flirty. "I like the sound of that."

"I bet," I tease, playfully nudging him with my elbow.

Irina and Alice exit on the other side of the SUV and are facing the side of the hotel. My reaction is delayed as Edward leads me around the front, but as I take it all in, my jaw drops.

"Wow," I say in awe, my eyes wide with amazement.

The grandeur of the Bellagio Hotel is beyond anything I had imagined, with its towering architecture and intricate details. It's as if we've stepped into an Italian fairytale.

"Are you impressed?" Edward asks.

I nod, unable to tear away from the stunning sight before me. "More than impressed," I admit, feeling a sense of wonder wash over me. "You keep outdoing yourself."

"This place is so incredible!" Alice skips over to me. "We are going to have so much fun!"

"Right?" I beam, my eyes taking glances at the man beside me.

Edward chuckles as Alice pulls me into a hug, but he refuses to give up my hand, so I am being stretched both ways.

"I can't believe we get to stay here," she exclaims, her excitement contagious, and I'm hopping up and down with her.

"I know! Edward didn't tell me where we were staying. But this is beyond. It's so pretty and boujee," I say, genuinely amazed.

Irina and Laurent look at Alice and me in surprise, like our reactions are over the top, but this is our first time in Las Vegas. Heck, I've only been to Sedona and Tampa outside of Forks and Seattle. Alice has been to even fewer places. So, to us, it's more than just some glorified casino.

Irina smiles and gently shoulder-checks me. "If you think this is the shit, wait until you see the room." She levels her eyes on our men. "Speaking of which, you did make sure to get the presidential suite for us, right?"

Laurent's hands go up in surrender. "Hey, don't look at me. Check with the baller, shot caller over there."

Irina swivels her head away from her husband and glares at my boyfriend. "Well?"

"You know I wouldn't let you ladies settle for anything less," Edward says, squeezing my hand and implying that he did it for me. My friends are just benefiting.

"Good work," Irina says, giving him a wink as she hooks her arm into Alice's. "Let's go check in, babe."

Laurent trails behind as they all walk away, leaving Edward and me standing by the curb. My best friend looks back at us and mouths, "Thank you," before disappearing into the lobby.

My heart is swelling with the thought that our efforts paid off.

"Did you see that?" I say, grinning up at Edward.

"Yeah, I did," he replies, but as I walk forward to join them, I'm being held back. "Let me talk to you for a sec."

"What's wrong?" I ask, searching his eyes. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. I just wanted to make sure you're not upset."

I shake my head slowly, not understanding his concern. "Why would I be upset?"

"What Irina said about Gigi, and," Edward says, watching my face closely, so hesitant to speak his following words, "about you being an upgrade from her."

"Oh, that?" I smile sweetly and place a hand on his cheek. "I took it as a compliment."

Edward lets out a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing. "I'm glad to hear that," he says, his voice filled with genuine relief.

"Did it upset you?" I ask, noticing the lingering irritation in his eyes.

"You know, I consider myself an easygoing guy, and I usually don't let shit get to me."

"But that did."

Edward says, "It just rubbed me wrong," as I keep staring at him, he realizes I need more information. "I wish everyone would stop comparing you and Gigi."

"I think they do because you're so different with me than you were with her," I say, playing Devil's Advocate.

"Well, that's only because I've been dying to be with you since," he huffs and nervously scratches his brow, his tone suddenly softer and lower, "since fucking forever."

Edward never leaves room for doubt or misunderstanding because his honesty is always so raw, and he repeatedly shares his soul with me.

"And that's why I'm secure in what we have, and being compared to Gigi doesn't bother me," I say, running my fingers through his hair.

With a heavy sigh, he closes his eyes and leans his forehead against mine. "Good."

"But you get why your friends are shocked, right? They don't know our history."

"Yeah, I get that," he says, his voice tinged with frustration.

"And I'm sure Irina didn't mean anything by it," I say, attempting to defuse the tension.

He nods, taking my hand and kissing it. "I know she didn't, and that's why I had to remove myself."

"If it makes you feel better," I respond, putting a reassuring embrace around him. "I laid into Alice and Irina and told them to chill out."

"Did you now?" He grips me more tightly and won't let go. "And how did they take it?"

I smile, pleased that I finally stood up and tried asserting myself. "They promised to be on their best behavior," I remark. "No more teasing us."

"The teasing doesn't bother me. I like seeing you blush," he says. I roll my eyes and, of course, do that thing he likes. "Man, you're so beautiful."

My face becomes a deeper shade of cherry red, and I tuck myself inside his chest. "Stop."

Edward chuckles. "Alright. Alright. Hey. I have a few surprises for you," he says, wiggling me away until I look at him again.

My face breaks into a smile. "Surprises? What kind of surprises?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

Edward takes his wallet out of his front pocket. "Well, the big surprise is later, but this one I can give you right now." He removes his black American Express card and gives it to me.

When it comes to spending my boyfriend's money, I feel conflicted. Using such a premium credit card feels exciting and opulent all at once. Still, I can't help but feel uncomfortable and guilty about spending other people's money to pay for my indulgences.

I trust Edward and know he genuinely wants to spoil me, so I seize the opportunity.

I say, "Thank you," and tuck it inside my bra for security.

"Wait, honey, take it out again. I want to show you something," Edward explains. So I do, and I display it for him to see. He turns the card in my hand and indicates the name. "What's that say?"

I read it: Bella Swan.

In astonishment, my gaze returns to his.

Edward smiles and adds, "That's right, Bruiser."

"When did you do this?"

Edward replies, "I applied for it a few weeks ago, but it just arrived yesterday."

Shaking my head, I am stunned and incredibly grateful for this man. "You set a high bar, Cullen."

"All I'm trying to do is be worthy of you," Edward says, but as he leans closer, his voice barely rises above a whisper. "I love you."

My arms effortlessly drape over his shoulders, and we move slightly in time with the background music. "I love you."

He groans out of nowhere.

I frown. "Babe, what is it?"

"Once we walk through the lobby, I'll have to leave you, and I'm not ready to do that yet."

My desire for him is just as strong, and if it were up to me, we'd spend every second together, but that's not possible.

However, there's nothing wrong with striving for the impossible.

"Then let's stay out here forever," I reply, my voice wistful and a little desperate.

My lips press into his for a passionate kiss. He grabs the sides of my jeans and yanks me close as if attempting to fuse our bodies into one.

I hear footsteps all around us, and I hear people whispering Edward's name. Perhaps we shouldn't be making out in public, I think to myself, but then I realize I don't care.

Grasping the silky thickness of his hair with my fingers, he keeps his mouth on mine, never, ever willing to break our bond. Edward hums, but I feel our kiss coming to an end, and I can't stop myself from whimpering.

Edward laughs and plants placating kisses on my swollen mouth. He whispers, "I'm sorry, Bruiser," his warm breath caressing my skin. "But it looks like we unintentionally became the main attraction again."

Looking around, I realize that we are surrounded by curious onlookers. Their phones aim at us, snapping pictures and recording our intimate moments.

Blushing, I reluctantly let go of his hair and pull away from our passionate embrace. "Crap, this is embarrassing," I mumble.

Of course, Edward takes everything in stride. "Come on," he says, simply wrapping a protective arm around my shoulders and leading us through the crowd.

"Soooo, what's the other surprise?" I ask.

He lets out a belly laugh. "Oh, no, honey. You're gonna have to wait for that one."

I pout but don't get a chance to hound him. Fans swarm us as we walk toward the lobby. There's shouting from everywhere, "EC! EC!" "We love you!"

Edward is gracious and kind and gives a polite "Hello" and signs autographs. The picture thing, he declines, and only because letting go of me sooner than he has to is a hard limit. The fans seemed to understand and let us through to meet up with our friends in the lobby.

Irina and Laurent have checked in and have our room keys. Edward and Laurent share a room on a different floor than us. That's a bummer, and I suspect Coach Biers demanded the men to have distance from their women. Again, I get it but don't get it. All I know is that once I am separated from Edward, I won't see him, not really, until late tomorrow night.

This is it, our last kiss until then.

"See you, Bruiser," Edward says, but only I can hear him. He holds my face and smiles. "I hate saying goodbye."

"Then don't," I say, but it's unavoidable.

Edward has a job to complete and responsibilities to fulfill. Being a WAG isn't all glitz and glamour. It's a sacrifice and a lot of lonely nights. I need to be strong, though, and distract myself by spending time with my girls.

"Wear that Jersey tomorrow! You look good in my number!" Edward shouts to me.

And as he walks away, disappearing into the Casino crowd, a pain strangles my heart, and I nearly collapse—I know, so dramatic.

I sigh, "Man, oh man," grabbing my bag and following Irina and Alice to the elevators, "it's going to be a long sixteen hours."

The suite is stunning. It has an exquisite and modern design, with luxurious furnishings and attention to detail in every part of the room, from the artwork to the lighting, creating a sense of complete wealth and elegance. It has two master bedrooms, three bathrooms, a bar, a dining room, a kitchen, and a massive living room.

It was just like the hotel room from The Hangover—there was even a piano! Of course, Edward's apartment was better, and I was a wee bit desensitized, granted not as much as Irina, but Alice was freaking out. Neither of us came from wealthy families, so being in such a luxurious space was a completely new experience for us. We couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and disbelief as we explored every corner of the apartment, realizing just how different our lives had become. So much so that we didn't want to leave the room and just order room service, but Edward reserved a table at Spago and scheduled a car to pick us up at six thirty. If you're unfamiliar, that restaurant is renowned for its exceptional cuisine and celebrity clientele. Basically, top-of-the-line eating in Vegas

As Irina and Alice get ready, I go onto the balcony and overlook the strip as dusk falls upon the city. The view is simply breathtaking, with the vibrant lights of the city illuminating the night sky. The gentle breeze adds to the ambiance and temporarily escapes from the whirlwind of emotions that still linger within me.

It's only been a few hours since I last saw Edward, but it feels like a lifetime, and it hurts because I miss him so much.

We texted a bunch before Coach Biers made him turn off his phone, and I can't help but wonder what he's doing now or if he's thinking of me. It's annoying how obsessed I am with thinking about Edward, missing him, and needing to feel him.

I try to distract myself by looking at the city lights twinkling in the distance, hoping they will somehow ease the ache in my heart, but I keep reliving last night. We skipped dinner and made love when he got home. My body responds to the memories with warmth and need. Every touch, every murmured word lingers in my head, intensifying my need for him. As I close my eyes now, I ache because the vision of him between my legs is so distinct. Edward always takes his time, gently licking and fingering me, pushing me over the edge of bliss with each stroke.

"Hey, Belly," Alice says as she rests her hand on my shoulder.

I am jolted out of my daydream by Alice's touch. My cheeks flush with shame as I hastily compose myself. "Hey," I say as I smooth my hair and clothes.

Alice recognizes it as a nervous tick and gives me a knowing smile. "Lost in Edwardland again?"

I chuckle and flush even more. "I'm so pathetic."

Alice playfully nudges me. "Oh, come on. You're not pathetic. You're in love."

"Ha, same difference," I say with a shrug and quickly change the subject. "Anyway, enough about me. We never got a chance to talk about the guy you're interested in."

Alice's smile fades slightly as she rests her forearms on the railing beside me. "Oh, him? That's not going to happen."

I can sense a hint of disappointment in her voice. "What do you mean?"

"He's dating someone."

My heart breaks for my best friend. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Who's the guy?"

"Irina says his name is Garrett. I guess he's the Seahawk's tight end. She says you know him."

This revelation abruptly stops my train of thought, like a record being scratched, and I gaze at her slack jaw. "You like Garrett?"

Ally's cheeks flush slightly as she avoids my gaze. "Well, maybe... I mean, he's just really cute, and in the videos I've seen of him on YouTube, he seems like a funny guy."

I grin, so excited by the way she speaks of him. "He really is," I say.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter. He's with some tall, beautiful blonde, which is just...perfect, and you know," she sighs and motions to her five-foot body, charming angelic face, and jet-black hair, "I'm not exactly his type."

I breeze over that nonsense for two reasons: one, Alice is gorgeous. Men are always falling over themselves to date her, and she's always like, "Meh." And two, Vikki is awful, and Garrett needs someone like my best friend.

"This is so great!" I exclaim. Alice narrows her eyes, probably convinced I didn't listen to a word she said. I calm myself, take a deep breath, and say, "You gotta let me introduce you."

"What for? He's with someone," she says, sounding so deflated, but of course, I won't hear of it.

"Pfft." I wave her off. "It's not like they're married."

Alice tilts her head to the side. "What? Who are you?"

Yes, it's true. I am not the girl who encourages her friend to go after a taken guy. I've been cheated on, and a few of my boyfriends have been stolen from me, but this is totally different.

"What?" I counter.

"You really want me to go after Garrett?"

"Ooh, are we doing this?" Irina says as she joins us on the balcony. She's dressed to kill and ready to take on Vegas. I feel a stab of jealousy as she sips champagne from a flute. "I wanted to push her towards him but didn't want to overstep."

Irina's presence strengthens my resolve. "See! It's not just me. Come on, it'll be fun," I say, trying to persuade Alice, but she shakes her head and backs away—as if she can escape this. No, we're going full throttle; there are no brakes on this train.

Besides, I need to focus on more than just my love life.

"No, no. Look, I appreciate you having my back and all, but I won't go after some other girl's guy. I'm better than that," she says sternly, pointing at me, "and you fucking know it, Belly."

Putting up my hands to show her I'm not a threat, I say, "I know you are, and if I truly believed Vikki and Garrett were in a healthy, committed relationship, I wouldn't put you in such a crappy situation. I respect you more than that."

"But..." Alice hedges, sensing there is more.

"The girl he's with is just using him for status, and he's wanting something serious," I tell him.

Irina says, "And he deserves someone who likes him for him."

Alice looks between Irina and me, chewing her bottom lip, yearning to meet him but not wanting to be a home wrecker. "I don't know," she says.

"What have you got to lose, huh?" Irina speaks in a soothing, motherly tone.

"It's just an introduction," I say.

Alice sighs and looks down, contemplating our words. She finally nods reluctantly, realizing that maybe taking a chance wouldn't hurt after all. "Alright, fine. If it's just an introduction," she says, "I'll give it a shot. But I'm not making any promises."

I smile, knowing exactly how it will all play out. "Tomorrow night, after the game, we'll," I gesture at Irina, and she gladly steps forward, "introduce you to Garrett."

"And whatever happens, happens, but," Irina says, smiling in support, "just remember to be yourself and have fun. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Alice. It's just a casual introduction, nothing more."

Alice hesitates, then abruptly grabs Irina's champagne and slams it. She has a resolution in her eyes after she's finished. "Fuck it!" she exclaims, throwing back her shoulders. "I'm in."

"Yay!" I clap and hug Ally. She gently pats my back. I back off and smile. "You'll thank me later."

She says, "Yeah, yeah," rolling her eyes and pushing me away.

Irina and I chuckle as we relax on the rail and gaze down at the Bellagio fountain and the strip below. The silence between us is comforting, and there are still a few minutes until we have to leave, so we enjoy it by watching the strip come alive. The lights of the Las Vegas skyline begin to twinkle, casting a magical glow over the bustling streets below.

As we soak in the vibrant atmosphere, Irina breaks the silence with a contented sigh. "I'm so glad we decided to take this trip," she says, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

I say, "Me too. It's going to be fun."

Abruptly, there's a tap on the door. I look at Irina and Alice, not sure who it could be.

Irina shrugs. "Maybe the driver arrived early."

Turning to leave the balcony and return to the room, I say, "I'll go see who it is."

The knocks become increasingly desperate and persistent, leading me to believe it's probably the driver, who is obviously agitated.

Naturally, their impatience has left me so stressed and nervous that I yank the door open without bothering to peek through the peephole.

"Hello," I say, "you're early." My eyes explode out of my head as I take in the lovely blonde in front of me. "Oh, my God!"

"Hey, Bells." Rosalie cracks a smile. "Surprise!"

AN: Surprise, Rose is here! Edward is sneaky, isn't he?

Also, "Footprints in the Sand" by Mr. G and Me has updated. Gah! Super excited. If you haven't read it, go now. It's a daddyward! If you have read it, isn't it amazing?

Anyway, thanks for reading! See you soon.