"You look like a sexy nun in that dress," Sasha said to me. She sat on a comfy couch while I stood on an elevated circle in front of a row of mirrors strategically placed in a U-Shape. That way, I could see all angles at the same time.

"A sexy nun? Have you ever seen a nun look sexy?" I laughed at her comment.

"Only in porn videos," Sasha said, winking at me.

"You pervert. Okay, not this dress then." I stepped down and went back to the fitting room to try on the next wedding dress. This was the third bridal boutique Sasha, and I had been to in three weeks. It was getting exhausting. During this fitting alone, I had already tried on at least four or five, and none of them did anything for me. I only had two more dresses to go, and I didn't realize how long we had been at the store. 

Eric texted me, confirming that he was going to meet me at the Grand Point Lounge in about an hour and that he couldn't wait to see me and meet my new coworkers.

I had to admit, the next dress I put on was beautiful, it was a chiffon fabric, A-line dress with off-the-shoulder draped sleeve caps. The train kissed the floor, and the bodice crisscrossed around my waist and back. I walked onto the platform and looked at myself in the mirrors. I admired how my breasts were concealed perfectly, but my shoulders and neckline were showing. My shoulder-line was probably one of my favorite features on my body.

"Damn!" Was all Sasha said, which was surprising, seeing as she always had an opinion about everything, and it was rarely condensed into a single word.

"I like it too. I think this is the one." 

I did a full turn for Sasha.

"I really wish we were still lesbian lovers right now. I'd take you back to the fitting room and do unspeakable things to you," Sasha said slyly, reminding me of our short fling in college.

I giggled in response. "I couldn't do that to Becca. I am not a home-wrecker."

Sasha laughed, almost forcing herself to snap back to reality at the mention of her wife's name. They had met in college too and ended up getting married practically as soon as they graduated. Their wedding was beautiful, and that was the same night Eric proposed to me. He and I got swept up in the magic of wedding euphoria. As we were in the middle of having sex in the coat closet at their reception, he suggested we get married.

It was not the most romantic proposal, but he made it up by re-asking me properly the next morning. By properly, I mean, he made me breakfast in bed and placed a beautiful ring on a single-stemmed deep-red rose. The engagement ring was no ordinary ring. It was a family inheritance that had been past down through several generations.  

The ring was accented with a large round cut diamond in the middle and oval cut smaller diamonds on both sides of the central diamond to resemble leaves on a flower. 

I, of course, said, "Yes."

Eric came from a pretty wealthy and influential family, probably more so than the Herman family. Still, his family was from Washington, D.C., and were related more to the financial and political sphere. I was surprised how much his family liked me, especially since I came from a much more modest and very middle-class family. 

I mean, they must have liked me, to allow Eric to propose to me with their family ring. I didn't allow myself to wear it, though. It was way too expensive for me even to consider venturing out in New York City with it. Luckily, Eric also bought a much more modest, backup diamond and band, that I would wear daily. He stored the real engagement ring in a safety deposit box at the bank.

"Ms. Ashcroft! You look absolutely stunning in that dress. Your fiancé will have his mouth on the floor when he sees you in it," the stores Bridal Assistant admired, approaching me.

"I agree. I don't think I need to try on any more dresses. This is the one!" I said with a slight sigh of gratefulness for finding the perfect dress. I was also relieved that I wouldn't have to try on any more dresses. "Is there any negotiating on the price, by the way?"

******

After I was able to convince the Bridal Assistant to give me a small discount, I happily put the down-payment on the dress. I gestured to Sasha that it was time we go, so we could get to the bar lounge before Eric. I was nervous about going, but it helped that Sasha was more carefree than I was. She always knew how to lighten the mood and make me feel relaxed in almost any situation. It was that essential factor that encouraged me to pick her to be my matron-of-honor.

We took the subway a few stops over. As we walked out of the station, I glanced at my phone and saw a missed call from Eric, followed by a text.

ERIC: Sorry, babe, running late. Still at the office. I should be there within the hour.

I showed the text to Sasha, who just rolled her eyes at the message. She was not a huge fan of his, but she also was never the easiest one to please and get in her good graces.

ME: No worries. We just arrived. See you when you get here.

I put my phone back in my purse as Sasha, and I entered the Grand Point Lounge. It didn't resemble your average corner bar. This place included comfy seating, cushioned bar stools, and the bar staff and servers were dressed nicely. Eric would enjoy this place. It was his style.

Peggy saw us before we saw them and waved. We made our way past the after-work crowd to the group of circular tables that they joined together to make a bigger table. Ryan wasn't there after all, which made me more relaxed. I didn't have to worry as much about having to mind myself in front of my new boss.

"Hi, Vicky! I am so glad you could make it! Who's your friend?" Adam asked, standing up to greet us like a gentleman.

"Hi, Mr. Herman. This is my good friend, Sasha. Sasha, this is Mr. Adam Herman, his brother Mr. Peter Herman, and these are their assistants and my new coworkers, Peggy and Ashlee." I said, introducing everyone to each other.

As we took two of the empty chairs, Sasha shielded her mouth and whispered to me, "These men almost make me wish I was straight."

I tried stifling my want to laugh, but not well enough. Just then, Ryan appeared out of nowhere! "What's so funny?"

I looked up at him like a deer in headlights. Where did he come from? Should I respond to that question or play dumb?

Luckily, Sasha answered for me. "I was just telling Vicky that I wished I wasn't gay because these gentlemen, and apparently you, are fucking sexy."

I turned beet red, while Adam and Peter practically spit their drinks out of their mouths. Ryan looked taken aback from Sasha's honest response but smiled at it. Was that a genuine smile? That was the first real smile I saw all day from him. Crazy.

"I like your honesty, Sasha," Adam said, with a smile, as he wiped off his drink from his expensive tie.

"I agree," Ryan said, and took the seat next to me, which I had meant to save for Eric. I didn't speak up, especially since I still haven't quite figured out Ryan's character, plus I didn't want to be rude.

The bartender arrived with three pints of beer and four cocktails. I had ordered a Manhattan Sunset. One of my favorite drinks. It almost tasted like juice with a little kick to it.

"Cheers to Vicky, for joining the team!" Peggy said, holding her drink towards the center.

I smiled. We all cheered in a chorus as our glasses clinked together before we sipped our drinks. Or gulped, in the men's case.

By the time we received our second round, I had learned more about everyone, except Ryan. Even though he sat next to me, he acted like I wasn't there. He was very interested in Sasha though, probably because he knew she had no interest in him. It helped that she was such an outgoing person who could talk and charm anyone. It was a trait that attracted me to her in college because it was something I wish I had.

*buzz*buzz* Went my phone on the table. Eric was calling, his name and contact picture appeared. I noticed for a split second Ryan looking at my phone too. His expression was unreadable. Was he angry? Irritated? Intrigued?

I slid the answer bar over and put the phone to my ear. "Hi!"

"Hey, sweetie. I'm here. This place is crowded. Where are you?"

I stood up to look over the crowd to the front door. I immediately spotted Eric with his preppy hairstyle and perfectly chiseled jaw. I gave him a slight wave to catch his attention. Seeing me, he disconnected the call. I moved away from the table and met Eric halfway. He greeted me by wrapping one arm around my waist and pulling me into him. Then he placed the sweetest kiss upon my red-painted lips. I melted.

He released my embrace. "Lead the way."

I held his hand in mine and guided our way back to the group.

"Everyone, this is Eric. Eric, this is—" I began to introduce him, but was cut off.

"No fucking way!" Ryan said with such power that everyone looked in his direction. He stood up from the table and walked over to Eric. They were practically nose to nose. I was confused as to what was happening. Then suddenly, Ryan physically shoved Eric in the chest, with all his force!

Eric stumbled back slightly, but quickly regained himself and stared Ryan down. What was going on?

"What the hell!?" I yelled at whoever was listening.

"If it isn't Eric Walton!" Adam said, joining Ryan as he approached Eric. But he embraced Eric with a brotherly-like hug.

All three, and soon four as Peter also joined the guy pack, were all hugging and laughing together. I looked back at the girls sitting at the table who all looked just as confused as me.

"Where have you been, brother?" Ryan asked Eric, completely ignoring me, yet again.

"I've been in the city. I went to Columbia. I heard you attended N.Y.U. Couldn't your parents' name get you into Columbia too?" Eric asked, oh-so-casually.

"They did actually, but I preferred N.Y.U., much more relaxed, and so many more hot artsy women go there than Columbia," Ryan explained confidently.

"I couldn't disagree with you there." Eric smiled and grabbed me by the waist, drawing me back to his side like we were Siamese twins.

Ryan didn't respond to Eric's comment, and his smile slightly faded.

Everyone played a game of musical chairs as we rearranged ourselves to include Eric. Ryan had moved to the opposite end of the table and positioned himself between Peggy and Ashlee. I was between Eric and Sasha, so I didn't care much about Ryan. Much being the keyword.

The rest of the night was filled with drinking, talking, and playing darts in the back of the lounge. Before we knew it, it was almost midnight, and I felt like I was ready to go home, but Eric was still talking with Peter and Adam. Sasha and the other girls had already left about an hour before, and I knew I should have left with them. Still, Eric insisted we were going to leave soon, so I stayed.

I was no longer interested in Ryan either. Most of the comments he made were idiotic and made my eyes want to roll every time he spoke. He was the epitome of a stuck up rich kid. I appreciated that at least Eric didn't come off as a snob. That was until tonight. When he was around these guys, he seemed different, almost like that guy pretending to be cool for his friends in high school, even though he was the biggest nerd and the sweetest person.

I excused myself from the table to go to the bathroom. Eric squeezed my hand gently and said, "Okay, babe. We'll head out when you get back."

"Okay," I said, relieved at his comment. He kissed me so lovingly that I couldn't even pretend to be irritated with him anymore.

As I walked into the bathroom, there was a small line of girls waiting to get into one of the three stalls. Then we all heard the same thing and looked at each other.

**Thud**Thud**Thud** on the stall door, followed by the words, "Oh my God." from a male voice.

"Oh. My. God!" Was the sound of a breathless female voice at the same time.

A couple was having sex in the handicap accessible stall!

Some girls started giggling, which made me laugh a little too. But otherwise, we all kept using the bathroom like no one heard anything unusual. By the time I stepped out of the bathroom stall and was waiting for a sink to wash my hands to become available, the fucking ended. Everyone clapped at the show they just heard and clapped even louder when the stall opened.

"About time!" One girl said, who shoved past them into the stall. I looked back and saw that the guy was Ryan! And the girl was one of the bartenders! The bartender left, looking down at her skirt to make sure it was back in place.

Ryan saw me and came over to where I was. He gave a half crooked, drunken, yet satisfied smile. He washed his hands using my sink, brushing his hands against mine. I pretended to ignore him the best I could. I finished quickly and moved over to the Extreme Air dryer. Instead of waiting his turn, Ryan came up behind me, literally leaned in, and placed his hands on top of mine.

I felt Ryan's mouth graze my ear, and his voice vibrated through me as he said, "Every girl I've ever fucked, I always imagined they were you."

I was shocked at his words, but before I could respond or turn around, he left.