"Would you like something to drink, Ms. Sommers?"

Alana turned around to see a petite sales assistant standing next to her. She seemed to look at everything but directly at Alana, making the pop star wonder if she was really that intimidating.

"We— um, have a selection of wines, beers, or if you would like, I can always go down to the store to get you anything you'd like to drink," the sales assistant stammered shyly, again, not meeting Alana's eyes.

"I'm alright, thank you, Sarah."

The sales assistant blushed as the pop star thanked her by the name. She quickly scurried away, moving onto her next task in the shop.

Alana turned back to the display in front of her. The beautiful white fabric felt like silk under her touch as she continued to browse the wedding dresses hanging on the rack. Not that she was looking for her own wedding dress— it was far too soon. But she couldn't help but smile softly at the thought that perhaps this could be her dress one day.

It didn't seem so impossible for her now.

"So, you're telling me you and my brother have been together for what? A few weeks now, and I'm only finding out about this now?"

Marianne's voice could be heard from across the small wedding boutique. Alana was sure everyone in the shop had heard what Marianna had practically shouted, even though they were the only ones there anyways, having booked the entire shop to themselves for a private dress fitting.

Elle's head peaked over from behind one of the racks, not even trying to conceal her snickering.

"I believe I just won myself 20 bucks from each of you ladies," Elle held her hand out with a shit-eating grin on her face. "Pay up girls."

From behind her, Alana watched as Aurora sighed in disappointment, having lost whatever bet they had made. With one arm holding baby Ayla in her arms, she reached into her purse with her other hand and pulled out a Louis Vuitton wallet, one that Xavier had bought for her. Pouting, she handed the 20 dollars to Elle, who looked way too giddy receiving a mere 20 bucks compared to the millions she makes from releasing music.

"I'll hand you the money later," Marianne muttered loudly enough for the girls to hear.

Alana gave her friends a pointed look. "I can't believe you guys bet on whether or not Asher and I getting together."

"Ah, ah— that's not what we bet on," denied Marianne, sounding like she was struggling with the dress behind the curtains. "We bet on when you'd finally give into your feelings and finally forgive my dumbass brother."

"She's sugarcoating it," corrected Elle, tucking the 20 dollars into her own Chanel purse. "We bet on when you were going to finally give into your feelings and start fucking her brother."

"Elle!"

The girls' voices echoed throughout the shop as they each sent their friend a pointed look.

"What?" Elle looked at them with complete confusion. "Same thing."

Alana brought a hand to her forehead, shaking her head as Aurora quickly covered her daughter's ears, not that Ayla would even understand— she was only a couple of months old.

Marianne stuck her head out from behind the curtain, sending Elle a glare. "That's my brother we're talking about here."

"I'm just saying what we were all thinking..." pouted Elle, before grinning like a madman. "I bet a month. Cameron and the boys bet half a year— and you know what that means? 20 from each of them."

"What the—" Alana was in disbelief.

"I guessed 4 months," sighed Marianne. "I swear at the rate you guys were going with your 'only friends' phases, it was going to take that long."

"I bet 3," Aurora chipped in, patting Ayla on the back to burp her since she had just finished feeding.

"Adrian was way off, by the way— you would think he knew you two well, but he bet a year," Elle added before going into deep thought. "Damn, I should've made the bet a hundred bucks or something..."

"His mind was probably too preoccupied with Leanne to properly think through his bet," snickered Marianne, as the manager helped her with the zip.

"What's going on with those two anyway?" Asked Aurora curiously, rubbing Ayla's back as the baby let out a little yawn. Alana was awed— she still couldn't get over how god damn cute her goddaughter was. "I swear the last time I heard, the two hated each other."

"It's a love-hate thing," shrugged Alana, not knowing what was going on herself. "Not really sure what Leanne is thinking."

"Please," Elle rolled her eyes. "There's some serious sexual tension between the two and they either need to date already or just bone each other to get rid of all that tension."

"Elle!" Again, the girls' voices echoed throughout the shop, causing both the sales assistant and manager to turn their heads up at them in alarm.

"That's my other brother we're talking about!" Marianne shouted, causing Ayla to look up startled in Aurora's arms.

"Sorry," Apologized Alana, giving both ladies an apologetic look before glancing at Ayla. "Your Auntie Mari and Elle are cuckoo."

"Am I wrong though?" Elle shrugged nonchalantly, going back to looking at the dresses on the rack in front of her. The girls shook their heads at how hilariously blunt Elle was and will always be.

"I still can't believe you girls," Alana sighed with mock disappointment, and for Marianne's sanity, she quickly changed the subject before Elle's big mouth continues to go on about Marianne's brothers, especially since she had one more younger one. Alana turned to look at Aurora. "Especially you, Rory— I thought you were on my side."

"You know I am on your side," Aurora gave her a look. "Why do you think I gave you the advice I gave you when you asked how I knew Xavier was the one?"

"I guess you have a point," muttered Alana, knowing Aurora was right.

"And you know I always give you shit, girl," began Elle, walking over to give one of her best friends a hug. "But I love you and I'm really happy for you. I can tell Asher is good for you— you've been the happiest you've ever been in literally forever."

"I love you, too, Elle," Alana squeezed her friend, feeling thankful for the friends she had. "And you girls, too. I don't know what I would've done without you girls these past couple of years."

Elle's eyes softened. "Now, don't get too sappy on me, Lani."

Alana scoffed playfully, letting Elle go. "You're the one getting sappy on me, Elle."

"I think we all know who the biggest sap here is," Marianne's voice came out from behind the curtain. There was no question as both Alana and Elle turned to look at Aurora who was bouncing Ayla on her hips.

Aurora rolled her eyes. "I might seem like the biggest sap here, but we all know Xavier is the real sap here."

Alana laughed, knowing her friend's words were nothing but the truth. "Well, she's not wrong. If he could, and we all know what he's like when he's determined, Xavier would move mountains for you."

"How does that man look that scary, yet when it comes to you, he's like a little puppy— well, not a puppy," Elle shook her head, glancing at the magazine on one of the tables. It just so happened that Xavier was the cover with no expression on his face, looking as intimidating and cold as ever. "Definitely not a puppy."

"The man refuses to leave you alone," added Marianne, and right on cue, Aurora's phone dinged with a message that would no doubt be from Xavier, checking on his favorite two girls.

"Some may find it overbearing, but I think it's cute," Aurora smiled, glancing lovingly at her handsome husband's face. She remembered his flat-out refusal to be on the cover of the men's magazine, and she found it hilarious when he finally agreed to do it for her. She definitely had to do some making up later on. Lots of it. "I like knowing that my man is thinking about me constantly because not going to lie, I think about him all the time as well."

Alana and Elle shared a knowing look. But this time, Alana could relate to what Aurora was saying. There would be moments throughout the day where she would just randomly miss her man. She could be in a bad mood, yet the moment Asher texted or called her, the frown on her face would immediately turn into a smile.

"And besides, you girls say Xavier is the biggest sap," continued Aurora, as Ayla laid her sleepy head on her mother's shoulder. "But I'm pretty sure Jayce and Asher are the same way with you girls."

Both Alana and Marianne had no words to deny their friend's claim. Their men were just as sappy when it came to them. Having been with him for a couple of weeks now, she knew he would drop everything for her. Their daily calls, frequent dates, and time spent together were just a little part of how much he felt for her and vice versa.

She would dare say love, but it just seemed too soon to say the word. Alana thought back to the night Asher had finally confessed.

"Alana Sommers, I am so hopelessly in love with you."

She was sure he meant every word he had said, including the usage of the word love, and there was a part of her that was sure she loved him back.

After 6 years, there was no doubt about it.

And maybe it didn't seem so crazy after all.

"Okay, are you girls ready to see dress number 4?" Asked Marianne. A chorus of cheers and yes's rang out.

The curtain opened, revealing Marianne, who was standing on a platform, in a gorgeous white wedding dress. The off-shouldered dress was tight above the waist but flared out at her hips in an a-line as the lace fell delicately to her feet.

The girls gasped in awe at the sight of Marianne.

"This one is it," declared Elle, walking forward as she touched the delicate white lace. "No question."

"You look so beautiful," Aurora followed after Elle, towards the changing area.

"Jayce is going to lose his mind when he sees you," Alana couldn't help but admire how beautiful Marianne looked in this wedding dress. "This dress was made for you, Mari. You have to get it."

Marianne blushed with all the compliments being thrown at her. "This one is definitely my favorite— it's just a few sizes bigger than me."

"Nothing to worry about, dear," the sales manager, Carrie, brushed the concern away. "We're going to bring you in for a few more fittings to get the sizing perfect before your wedding."

As the sales manager continued to answer Marianne and the girls' questions, Alana's phone rang. As soon as she saw who was calling, a smile made its way onto her face.

"Hi," She answered, wanting to hear his voice, despite having seen him just that morning.

"Hi, princess," Despite not seeing her, just her voice alone was able to take his stress away. "How's dress shopping?"

"Fun— Marianne looks amazing in every single dress, but I think we've found the one," chirped Alana, stepping to the side when the girls' voices were getting louder. Asher chuckled when he heard the hoots through the phone, knowing how crazy the girls got when they were together. "How's work?"

"Stressful, but hearing your voice immediately took it all away," His confession had Alana smiling like an idiot. "I miss you, baby."

"We saw each other this morning," she grinned. Like Aurora had said, she liked it when Asher was a little needy with her. "Not even 6 hours ago."

"Exactly," he groaned. "That's way too long. When are you coming back?"'

"Marianne should be done soon, but I think we're heading to a late lunch at the pizzeria on First," she answered.

Asher sighed dramatically. "Knowing my sister and you girls, that's going to take another 3 hours. A man just misses his girl, is that too much to ask?"

She laughed, rolling her eyes at how ridiculous he was being. "What are you going to do when you have long workdays, then? Or when either of us has to travel for work?"

"Sulk," he answered quickly, without missing a beat. "I'm kidding— I hope you have fun with the girls. Come back to me soon, so we can cuddle and watch that vampire show we started together the other day."

Hearing his words, Alana had to bite back her grin and she wanted nothing, but to do just that. "I knew you secretly enjoyed watching Vampire Diaries with me."

"We..." He brought his voice down to a whisper. "We're keeping this between us, but the plot is... not that bad."

"Uh-huh," she said completely unconvinced. Based on the episodes that had already watched, he seemed to enjoy the show way more than she did. "I'll be sure to keep your little secret safe—"

Behind her, the girls' commotion suddenly stopped, and it was then she noticed that all three of them were staring frozen in shock at the large flat-screen television hanging on the wall.

"Lani," Marianne's voice was laced with concern and uncertainty, causing Alana to immediately go into alert. "You're going to want to see this..."

Marianne's voice trailed off as she and the girls continued to listen intently to what was being said. Alana was filled with confusion— she was too far away from the television to hear the news.

"What's going on, princess?" Asked Asher, now concerned that his girlfriend wasn't responding. "Are you alright?"

She gave no answer as she walked closer to the television and immediately, she felt like her world was crashing. She didn't even hear what was being said, but the headline alone immediately put her on high alert and shock.

"Alana, what's going on?" Asher's voice was now frantic as she continued to try to make sense of what was going on.

The phone slipped from her grasps, falling to the ground, not that she noticed. Asher's concerned voice could be heard shouting through the phone, but she took no notice of that. She didn't even notice that Elle had grabbed the fallen phone, frantically explaining what was going on and for Asher to turn the news on.

Alana's sole focus was on the television in front of her. Nothing else mattered to her at that moment and all she could do was utter the following.

"Sarah, I'm going to need that glass of wine."

★ ★ ★

Ahhh! Long awaited update!! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, with another special appearance from our lovely Aurora Knight featuring Ayla (who is only a couple months old at this time), plus a little more drama to come. Any guesses as to what happened?