AN: Thank you for your reviews!

Maria joined us a few minutes later, looking effortlessly stunning in a simple white sundress and sandals that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. She greeted everyone warmly, her tone light and friendly as she chatted about the local boutiques her mom always recommended. She exuded the kind of polished ease that made you feel frumpy by comparison, even if you were wearing your best outfit. Not that I was—I was still in my trusty jeans and Edward's old hoodie.

As we started heading toward the cars, Maria jingled her keys, holding them up with a grin. "I drove over in my car, so if anyone wants a more comfortable ride, I've got space."

"Oh my God, are we talking about the car?" Lauren asked, her eyes lighting up as she made a beeline for Maria. "I'm in."

Maria laughed, unlocking what was, of course, a sleek black Range Rover. "Plenty of room, hop in."

Maria, Tanya and Lauren took her car while the rest of us piled into Emmett's Jeep.

"So," Alice chirped, leaning forward between the front seats as Rose navigated toward the main shopping strip. "What's the plan? Floor-length? Cocktail? Bella needs to steal the show."

"I don't want to steal anything," I muttered, glancing out the window.

"Oh, hush," Rose said,"You're hot. Accept it. Now, let's make sure everyone else sees it too."

Alice nodded emphatically. "I'm thinking classic but bold. Maybe something with a slit?"

"Or sparkles," Angela added. "But, like, tasteful sparkles."

"Or something that isn't any of those things," I offered weakly, earning a collective groan from the backseat.

As we approached the boutiques, I caught sight of Maria's Range Rover parked neatly in front of the first shop. Tanya, Lauren and Maria were already outside, leaning casually against the car as they waited for us. The boutique itself was charming and upscale, the kind of place where you had to pretend you weren't internally cringing at the price tags.

Inside, the boutique was bright and pristine, with racks of dresses that looked more like works of art than clothing. Maria was already flipping through the gowns, Tanya close by, nodding at her choices.

"We'll start here," Maria said, gesturing toward a section of evening dresses. "Bella, come here. I've got a few ideas."

I followed reluctantly, while Rose and Alice began picking through the racks and Lauren and Angela drifted toward another section, chatting as they sifted through cocktail dresses.

Maria's first suggestion was a sleek black gown with a plunging neckline and a daring slit up the thigh. She held it out to me, her smile easy. "This one's perfect. Sexy, but not desperate. Try it on."

I hesitated, the weight of her gaze making me feel self-conscious. "It's a little… much."

"Trust me," Maria said smoothly, her tone just short of patronizing. "You'll look amazing."

I glanced over at Alice, who was holding up a sequined dress and giving me an encouraging nod. "Try it!" she urged. "You never know."

Reluctantly, I took the gown and ducked into the dressing room. Slipping it on, I adjusted the fabric nervously before stepping out into the main room.

The reaction was immediate. Lauren whistled loudly, and Angela let out a quiet "Wow." Alice clasped her hands together like a proud stage mom, and even Rose nodded approvingly.

Maria tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Told you it'd look good."

"It looks better than good," Angela said sincerely. "Edward's jaw is going to hit the floor."

"Do you like it?" Alice asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I took a deep breath and looked at my reflection. The dress hugged my body like it was tailored for me. I felt confident—something I didn't always feel in a room full of women like this. "I think I do," I said quietly, a small smile spreading across my lips.

"Good," Rose said, her approval almost grudging. "Because you're buying it."

"Damn right she is," Lauren chimed in, popping a piece of gum into her mouth. "If Edward doesn't propose after seeing you in that, he's officially a dumbass."

I laughed despite myself, but as I turned to the rack to grab the dress's tag, my stomach sank.

$685.

My mouth went dry. Sure, it wasn't thousands, but for a dress? One night? I hesitated, glancing at the others. I didn't want to make a scene, but there was no way I was spending that kind of money.

Maria noticed my pause and stepped closer, her smile bright and almost too casual. "Oh, don't worry about the price," she said lightly, waving a perfectly manicured hand. "I'll cover it. Consider it my treat."

I blinked, caught completely off guard. "What? No. I can't let you do that."

Maria's expression didn't falter. If anything, her tone turned even more cheerful—too cheerful. "Oh, please. I love helping out where I can. Besides, it's fun to give back, don't you think?" She smiled sweetly, but her words hit like a slap.

The air in the room shifted. I felt my cheeks flush as a mix of embarrassment and anger bubbled up. My fingers tightened on the hanger, unsure how to respond. The comment wasn't loud, but it might as well have been screamed into a megaphone.

Rose, sharp as ever, picked up on the tension instantly. "That's awfully generous, Maria," she said smoothly, "But Bella's got taste—and independence. She doesn't need charity to look stunning."

Maria's smile stiffened, but she didn't reply. Instead, she stepped back toward the racks, pretending to browse. Rose gave me a look and pulled a different dress off the rack—a simple yet elegant dark green number with a flowing skirt and an asymmetrical neckline. She held it out to me, her smile soft. "Here. Try this."

I swallowed hard, still reeling from Maria's comment, and nodded, taking the hanger with a grateful glance at Rose. She offered me a subtle grin, and the knot in my chest loosened just a little.

Back in the dressing room, I slipped into the green dress. The fabric was lighter, softer, and it moved beautifully when I turned. I took a deep breath before stepping out, suddenly hyperaware of Maria's presence.

This time, the response was softer but no less genuine. "That's gorgeous," Angela said warmly, smiling from her seat.

"Okay, actually that's the dress," Alice added, clapping her hands.

I turned to the mirror, letting myself really look. The green brought out my skin tone and complemented my figure without feeling over the top. I wasn't sure if I felt more confident or relieved to be out of the black dress, but either way, I found myself smiling. "I like it," I admitted softly.

Rose smirked from her spot by the racks, her arms crossed as she leaned casually against them. "Told you. You don't need a flashy price tag to look amazing."

"Agreed," Lauren said, chewing her gum with a pop. "And bonus: you don't owe anyone a damn thing."

My smile widened, and I nodded. "Alright. This is the one."

The girls were still buzzing with energy as we strolled down the quaint streets lined with boutiques and cafés. Bags were already swinging from everyone's arms, but apparently, we weren't done yet. Alice insisted on finding the "perfect shoes" for her dress, which somehow turned into an extended mission to check out every store within a two-block radius.

"Just one more!" Alice chirped as we entered yet another boutique, her enthusiasm contagious even as my feet started to ache.

Maria lingered near the door for a moment before falling into step beside me. I wasn't sure if she'd meant to, but when I glanced up, she was already looking at me, her expression polite and vaguely curious.

"So," she began, her tone light, "how long have you and Edward been together?"

"Uh, not too long," I said, clutching my shopping bags a little tighter. "We started dating earlier this fall."

Maria nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "That's sweet. He doesn't usually get serious with anyone. I mean, not that he's a player or anything, but he's always been pretty... selective."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I just nodded, hoping the conversation would fizzle out on its own.

It didn't.

"It must be interesting," she continued, her tone still friendly but with an edge I couldn't quite place, "dating someone like Edward. He's got pretty high standards, you know?"

I blinked, feeling the weight of her words settle uncomfortably in my chest. "Yeah, I guess," I said lightly, forcing a small smile. "He's a great guy."

"Oh, definitely," Maria agreed, her smile widening. "He's always been so focused—on school, on his goals. He doesn't get distracted easily." She glanced at me, her gaze sharp despite her casual delivery. "It's good he found someone who can keep up with him."

My cheeks flushed, and I laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yeah, well, it's new, but I'm trying."

Maria chuckled, her laugh soft but vaguely condescending. "I'm sure you're doing fine. Edward wouldn't date someone who wasn't exceptional."

The words were delivered like a compliment, but they left me feeling hollow. Exceptional? Was I exceptional? I didn't feel exceptional. I felt... ordinary. And standing next to someone like Maria, with her effortless beauty and polished confidence, that feeling only amplified.

"So," I said, desperate to change the subject, "have you always lived in Walla Walla?"

Maria smiled, clearly amused by my attempt to redirect. "No, we lived in Forks for a while, then we moved out here. I mainly live in LA now, though. Modeling gigs, you know how it is."

I didn't, actually, but I nodded anyway, hoping she'd let it drop.

"Edward always loved visiting Walla Walla in the summers," she added, her tone taking on a nostalgic lilt. "We had a lot of fun together back then. He's so easy to be around."

"Yeah," I said quietly, my stomach twisting. "He is."

Maria's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she looked ahead, her smile never faltering. "It's good to see him happy. He deserves that."

I nodded mutely, feeling like I'd just walked through an invisible minefield and come out the other side a little bruised. Alice called out from the other side of the store, holding up a pair of glittery heels for everyone to see.

"Bella, these are perfect for you!" Alice exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

I forced a smile and made my way over to her, grateful for the distraction. But even as I laughed and tried on shoes with the others, Maria's words lingered, sinking into my thoughts like tiny barbs I couldn't shake.

The restaurant we ended up at afterwards was adorable, all warm wood accents and string lights draped across the ceiling, giving it a cozy yet trendy vibe. We settled into a large corner table, the kind meant for big groups like ours, and Maria ended up seated directly across from me. I tried to ignore her as we all perused the menus, chatting casually about what to order.

When the server came around, I didn't even hesitate. "I'll have the bacon cheeseburger with fries, please."

Maria raised an eyebrow, setting her menu down. "A burger? Bold choice," she said with a small laugh, glancing at her own menu. "I think I'll stick with the house salad. The dressing on the side, of course."

The comment was offhand, but it landed like a dart. My cheeks burned as I stared down at the table, second-guessing myself instantly.

"I'll have the bacon cheeseburger too," Rosalie said smoothly, snapping her menu shut. Her tone was casual, but the look she sent Maria was anything but.

"Same," Alice added brightly, passing her menu to the server. "With extra fries, please."

Angela chimed in next, her voice soft but firm. "I'll take the burger as well. Oh, and can I get a milkshake with that?"

Lauren sighed dramatically, placing her menu down. "I totally would, but, you know, vegetarian life. I'll stick with the mushroom risotto." Tanya seconded her choice and the waiter nodded before walking away.

Maria laughed lightly, tucking a strand of perfectly styled hair behind her ear. "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it," she said, her tone airy. "I just meant it's a heavy meal for the middle of the day. But hey, you do you."

"Right," Tanya said smoothly, steering the conversation away like a pro. "So, did everyone see that little boutique on the corner? We have to stop in before heading back. They had the cutest accessories in the window."

Grateful for the lifeline, I joined the chatter about the boutique, but my appetite had all but disappeared. By the time the food arrived, my burger looked incredible—juicy, golden, and piled high with toppings—but I couldn't bring myself to take more than a few bites. I picked at my fries, rearranging them on my plate more than actually eating them.

Eventually, I excused myself to the bathroom, muttering something about needing to freshen up. Once inside, I leaned against the sink and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My face looked flushed, my eyes a little glassy, and I felt a lump rising in my throat that I couldn't swallow down.

Why am I letting her get to me? I thought, gripping the edge of the sink. I wasn't usually like this—self-conscious or unsure—but Maria had a way of making me feel like I was on the outside looking in... like I wasn't good enough for Edward. I mean, how does he date someone like that, then turn around and want someone like me?

The door creaked open behind me, and I quickly turned away, pretending to fiddle with the faucet. Rosalie's reflection appeared in the mirror, a sharp, determined look creased onto her face.

"You're not actually listening to a single word that bitch says, are you?" Rosalie said bluntly, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter.

I let out a surprised laugh, swiping at the corner of my eye. "I'm trying not to, but it's... harder than I thought."

Rosalie raised an eyebrow, her gaze softening. "Bella, come on. You know who you are, right? Smart, funny, gorgeous, and more importantly, real. You're everything Maria pretends to be."

I laughed again, this time with less bitterness. "I don't know about all that."

"Well, I do," Rosalie said firmly. "Maria thrives on making other people feel small because it's the only way she can feel big. She's not worth a second of your time or energy."

I hesitated, my voice quieter now. "I'm not usually this... insecure. It's just—" I paused, looking down at my hands. "It's different with Edward."

Rosalie's expression softened even more. "Because you care about him. And you want to be enough."

So much.

I nodded, feeling the tears prick at my eyes again. "Yeah."

"Listen to me," Rosalie said, stepping closer and placing a hand on my shoulder. "Edward doesn't give a damn about Maria. He's with you because he wants you. And honestly, Bella? You're the kind of person who doesn't need to compare herself to anyone, least of all someone like her."

I sniffed, laughing softly as I swatted at my tears again. "You're really good at this pep talk thing, you know?"

Rosalie smirked, tilting her head. "I've had a lot of practice. But seriously, Bella. You're amazing. Don't let anyone—especially not Maria—make you forget that."

I straightened up, taking a deep breath and meeting her gaze in the mirror. "Thanks, Rose."

She grinned, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Anytime. Now, come on. Let's go show her how badass you are."

I followed her back to the table, feeling lighter and steadier than I had all day. Maybe Maria had her confidence and years of experience making people feel inferior, but I had something better—a family of amazing women who had my back.