After days of mulling it over, I decide to attend Gracie's get together. I do it, knowing it's the right choice, although it was not the easiest one because Nate was persistent to the very end. He tried so hard to persuade me not to go and I have to admit he can be very persuasive when he wants, but I compromised with him and agreed to hang out with him after Gracie's small get together was over. He liked the idea and promised he would show me a fun time whatever that means.

I honestly have no idea what he has in mind but I doubt cooking shirtless is on the table even if he did tease me about it. I'm just glad I'm finally going to be able to hang out with him after a busy week at work that kept me occupied during the times he wasn't working on photo shoots. It sucks big time that our schedules managed to keep us away from each other this week, but that's all the more reason for us to look forward to seeing each other later today.

He sent me a text me in the morning telling me he's really looking forward to seeing me today and he has no idea just how bad I want to see him too, but duty calls and our reunion will have to wait until later. Until then, I need to just focus on my outfit, which I have already checked at least ten times in the mirror, but I want to make sure it's perfect. For one reason and one reason alone, Nate. I want to impress the man after not seeing him for what feels like forever and I just hope that my outfit does the trick.

I made the bold choice to wear my new black faux leather skirt that is pleated and falls two inches above my knees. It's shorter than I am used to, but I am not too worried about the length, much less chafing because I have my black Spanx on underneath my skirt. The skirt itself makes me feel sexy, which is something I have never felt before and I mean never, so I am loving it.

I paired the skirt with my red long sleeve crop top, which has been sitting untouched in my closet for far too long. I bought it a few months ago but never dared to wear it, because I felt super self-conscious showing any skin that isn't considered "normal." It also doesn't help that it's considered "taboo" for plus-sized women to wear crop tops, so I just put it at the back of my closet the day I brought it home and never touched it again, but Mia convinced me to try it on despite my reluctance.

I was honestly scared to try it on at first but as soon as I put it on and saw it on myself, I realized it didn't look bad like I thought it would. Yes, it showed a good inch or two of my stomach and it exposed my faded stretch marks a bit, but I also realized none of that matters. My outfit isn't hurting anyone in any way, and it not only looks good on me but it also makes me feel good about myself. Not many clothes do that, so for once I refuse to worry about what others will think because it doesn't matter. It only matters what I think and how I feel in it, and I feel damn good wearing my crop top.

Mia gave me a big nod of approval when she saw me and helped me pick out the perfect shoes for my outfit. She went through everything I own and picked out a pair of black faux leather knee-high boots. I like the boots she picked because they give me a three-inch boost, and they are also so comfortable to wear out. Although, what I love most about them is that they pair perfectly with my skirt.

I accessorized my look with a black choker and small earrings to keep from drawing attention away from my outfit. Although, what really brought it all together was my smoldering smoky eyes and bright red lips. They are the perfect finishing touch and I know it, but I can't help but feel nervous anyways. I have no idea how Nate is going to react when he sees me. I hope I can wow him but he can easily overlook all my effort and that is what worries me most.

I take a deep breath and am relieved when my phone rings because it gives me a reason to not fret over my outfit. I check to see who's calling when Gracie's picture pops up on the screen. I answer her call with a swipe of my finger. I am greeted by blaring music and have to pull the phone away from my ear before slowly putting it back to make sure it's safe to listen.

"Sorry about that," Gracie says as she lowers the music in the background.

"It's fine."

"I just wanted to let you know I'm outside."

"Okay, I'll be right out." I grab my purse and head out, saying goodbye to Mia on my way out.

Gracie is parked in the parking lot and steps out of her car to meet me half way. "Holy shit, Alexa! You look smokin' hot," Gracie compliments me before pulling me in for a hug.

"Thanks! This is completely out of my comfort zone, but I decided to try something different today."

"I'm glad you did. This look really suits you. If Nate could see you, he would eat his heart out," she tells me with a wink.

"You really think so?"

"Yes!" she tells me with a big grin before adding, "He'd be all over you in a second."

"Gracie!" I exclaim embarrassed as my cheeks betray me, turning a deep shade of red.

"What?! It's true."

"Well thank you. Now enough about Nate." The last thing I need is to think about Nate all day. If I do, I'm going to be a distracted mess at Gracie's get together. "How are you?"

"Excited! I can't wait for all of my bridesmaids to hang out and get to really know each other."

"I can't either." I really am looking forward to it. I'm just not looking forward to seeing Miranda one bit.

"Let's go!"

We climb into Gracie's car and the first thing she does is crank up the music. It leaves no room for conversation, but I don't mind. It gives me just enough time to relax before I have to see Miranda again. Just the thought of seeing her twists my gut the wrong way, but I will put up with her for Gracie's sake. After all, Miranda is her best friend, and I am just the girl that is dating her younger brother.

"We're here," I hear Gracie say half an hour later, breaking the silence.

I look up to see where we are and realize she brought us to a tea shop that is very chic. It's painted a beautiful coral color and is outlined with white trim. Beneath the windows, there are planters full of white rose bushes that give the shop a very girlish feel. The tea shop is super cute but it makes me feel very out of place with my black skirt and red crop top. Gracie is wearing a white floral maxi dress so she fits in perfectly. I, on the other hand, do not. If anything, I stick out like a sore thumb.

"Let's get going. Most of the girls should already be here," Gracie tells me. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale before climbing out of the car. "Come on! Let's go!" she exclaims excitedly as she leads the way inside the tea shop that is painted a beautiful mint color.

All the furniture is white and just like the outside, it's decorated with roses. The only difference is that the roses inside are a coral color instead of white. It's truly a sight to see, but not even the beautiful decorations could keep me from feeling the stare that is practically searing my flesh. I turn to my right and am not the least bit surprised when I see Miranda. She doesn't waste a second looking me up and down. Her lips curve into an amused expression that clearly says she thinks I look ridiculous, but I'm not going to let her get to me. Not today. I know that's what she wants and I won't let her have that satisfaction.

Miranda breaks eye contact with me and turns to the girl beside her to whisper something in her ear. Seconds later they both turn towards me and break into laughter. I try to maintain eye contact to show her I don't care what she says or does, but the more I watch them laugh, the more I'm reminded of my years in middle school and high school when people would point fingers and laugh at me only because I was bigger than the average girl. The last thing I want is to go back to being treated the way I was treated in the past, but I can't very well confront Miranda either because she's Gracie's best friend and I do not want to ask her to choose, so I do the only thing I can think of. I excuse myself to the restroom and am grateful when I find it empty so I can be alone with my thoughts even if it's only for a few minutes.

I put my purse down on the counter and pull out my phone to text Nate. Only he can make me feel better at a time like this.

I miss you!

I text him.

I miss you too, babe.

What are you up to?

Nate: Besides missing you, I am making myself a quick bite to eat. What about you? Are you already at Gracie's get together?

I am.

I admit and I want to tell him I am hiding in the bathroom like the coward I am but I don't want to worry him.

How is it? Are you having fun or are you wishing right about now that you were with me? It's not too late. I'll drive over there right this second and pick you up.

I smile at his text and wish more than anything that I could take him up on his offer, but no matter how crappy I feel right now I have to stick it out for Gracie.

I appreciate the offer, but I can't and you know that.

Well if you change your mind, I'm only a text away.

Thanks, Nate. You're honestly the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. You make me smile when all I want to do is cry.

I tell him honestly, feeling thankful for having someone as amazing as him in my life.

What?! Who made you want to cry? I'll come over there and kick their ass right now!

I can't help but laugh at his response. Maybe I shouldn't have been so honest and left out that last bit, but I'm kind of glad I told him because I want him to know that no one can make me smile like he can.

You can't. It's a girl and if you beat her up, I'll lose all respect for you.

Let me guess, Miranda.

Bingo!

I hit send and the she-devil herself enters the bathroom and prances right up to me. I put my phone away and face her head on.

"I see your hiding," Miranda sneers and I roll my eyes.

"What the hell do you want, Miranda?" I ask annoyed.

"Nothing. Actually, I do want one thing you have, but don't worry I'll be taking it back in due time."

"Leave Nate alone!" I warn her.

She snickers, knowing perfectly well that she's getting to me. "Nate is only with you out of pity. A guy like him could never like a girl like you. I mean, look at yourself. You look ridiculous! It amazes me that you would even think you look good in an outfit like this," she says gesturing to my clothes.

"Go to hell!"

"Is that your best retort? Even a child could do better than that. You should really learn to fight your battles before you go after a guy who is already taken."

"Nate has never been nor will he ever be yours," I say bluntly but my words do nothing to deter her.

"We'll see about that," Miranda responds with a smug grin and a laugh that makes my insides boil.

"I've had it with you. Stay away from Nate or there will be hell to pay!" I threaten.

"That's a joke, right? There's nothing you can do to stop me."

"We'll see about that," I bite back and snatch my purse off the counter. I do not want to be stuck with Miranda one second longer. I walk towards the door and am just about to turn the doorknob when Miranda pulls me back forcefully, making me nearly lose my balance.

"Where do you think you're going? We're not done here," she seethes.

"I am. Now let me go before I do something I won't regret," I warn her.

"You wouldn't dare," she responds and digs her nails into my left arm, causing me to flinch in pain.

"I warned you," I tell her before I slap her across the face. Gracie chooses that exact moment to enter the bathroom. She gasps in shock and immediately goes to Miranda's side to cradle her face that is now marked with my red handprint. What she fails to notice is that her best friend still has a strong, painful grip on my arm but she is smart enough to let me go before Gracie can see.

"Alexa, how could you?" Gracie asks me with so much disappointment in her eyes that I feel like I let her down for the first time. I never meant for her to find out about my rivalry with Miranda, but she walked in at the worst possible moment and now she probably thinks the worst about me.

"Gracie, I know what you must be thinking, but I'm not going to apologize for what I did. I had my reasons," I explain.

"Tell me what happened because a lot of things are going through my mind right now and none of them favor you," she tells me and Miranda smirks from beside her, knowing she has the upper hand.

"I can't. I promised myself that I wouldn't get between your friendship no matter what happened. If I tell you what happened, it may change the way you see her. It may also very well end your lifelong friendship, and I don't want to be the one to ruin something like that, so I choose not to say anything. If Miranda wants to explain herself, she can, but I won't be the one to do it," I tell Gracie honestly and she turns towards Miranda to look her in the eyes. She's clearly hoping for an explanation to all this, but Miranda can't even hold her gaze and looks away. It's obvious that she knows that she's the one that's in the wrong here, but she would never admit it.

"Miranda, look at me," Gracie demands and Miranda reluctantly turns towards her. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Nothing. Just forget what you saw, Gracie," Miranda bites out.

"How can you even say that? Alexa hit you and you just want me to pretend it never happened. I don't think so. I deserve to know what happened here. Why did Alexa hit you?" Gracie prods. Miranda turns towards me and grimaces before turning back towards Gracie.

"It's none of your business, Gracie. What happened here is between Alexa and I. You need to stay out of it, okay?" Miranda tells Gracie sternly. Gracie does not appreciate it one bit but I can tell she's starting to realize she has no choice but to leave it alone.

"You know what? I'm done with this, but don't think for one second that this is over," Gracie tells us. "I'm going to find out exactly what happened between you two and when I do, you both will answer to me. But for the time being, we're going to go back out there and pretend none of this ever happened. Okay?" she tells us and we both reluctantly agree. It's not like we have much of a choice either way.

We exit the bathroom and Miranda goes straight to her seat and slumps down in her chair like a scorned child. I on the other hand go and take a seat on the far end of the table beside Gracie. Gracie immediately perks up as if nothing ever happened and joins in on the conversation her bridesmaids are having. I try to pay attention to what they are saying and occasionally join in on their conversation while we drink tea and eat delicious cake, but I have a hard time keeping up with their conversation when I can feel Miranda glaring at me from across the table. She's relentless.

"Are you okay?" Gracie asks me full of concern, making sure no one else hears her.

"Yes."

"Are you sure? I can drive you home if you want," she insists, putting her hand on mine.

"I'm fine," I lie and just as I speak the words the bell above the door chimes, indicating a new customer has arrived. I prepare myself for the worst because I know at the pace things are going, this day can only get worse from here. I wouldn't even be surprised if one of my old high school bullies walked into the room at this point.

From the corner of my eye, I notice a shift in Miranda and see her expression go from sullen to surprised. I am curious what has caused that change in her but refuse to look at who or what has made her stand up from her seat. It doesn't concern me. At least I think it doesn't until I feel two familiar arms wrap around my shoulders. I know immediately who it is and close my eyes, knowing everything is going to be okay.

I breathe in his scent and instantly feel at home in his arms. It takes me back to those moments we've spent cuddling on his couch. They are few and far in between but they are moments I will never forget. We have shared so many laughs, smiles, and kisses that I just can't keep count anymore, but I treasure every single one of those memories because they are priceless. Just like him.

I feel his warm breath graze my neck and focus on the way his breath makes my skin tingle. I nearly shiver from the sensation his breath causes and switch my focus to his heart, which is pounding erratically against his chest, but between all the chaos that surrounded me today, his heartbeat is the only sound that makes me feel grounded.

I listen closely to his heartbeat and feel as my own heart falls into synch with his. I never thought it would be possible for two hearts to be so in synch, but right now, in this moment, we are one.

I feel something shift within me and I know as soon as it happens that my heart is no longer mine. It belongs to him and only him. It always has and now there's no turning back. I am hopelessly in love with the man who broke down my walls one by one without me ever realizing it. I just hope he handles my heart with care because if he hurts me, I'm not sure my heart will be able to resist it.

"I came for you," he whispers into my ear, breaking the silence that surrounds us.

I open my eyes and see that all eyes are on us. Any other time, all this unwanted attention would have made me feel self-conscious, but not right now. Right now, I crave his presence more than I ever have and am so glad he's here no matter what his reason is.

"You're taking her?" Gracie asks surprised.

"I am," he says, leaving no room for argument.

"Why?"

"I want my woman back. You've had her long enough. Now she's mine," Nate tells her unapologetically and takes my hand in his. "Let's go, babe." I grab my purse and stand, taking my place by his side. The moment I do, his eyes look me up and down appreciatively. He takes in all of my outfit and I can tell he's quite pleased with what he sees from the way his lips curve into a devilish grin. "Goddamn. You look stunning, babe."

He lifts my chin and gently brushes his thumb over my bottom lip in a teasing manner, making me yearn for a kiss. I nip at his finger, not caring who sees and yelp when he lowers his free hand to my waist and pulls me into him. I press my hands to his chest and he slides them up, making me wrap my arms around his neck.

"I love it when you look at me like that," I whisper and run my fingers through his hair.

"Like what?"

"Like you want to claim me as yours for the whole world to know," I muse and a wicked glint appears in his eyes.

"You're already mine, babe."

"Is that so?" I respond playfully and he nods.

"Mine," he whispers possessively against my lips and kisses me. I hear a loud gasp in the background but push it out of my mind and put all my emotions into this one kiss as if it were my last kiss. He kisses me with so much ferocity, I nearly fall apart in his arms. When he finally pulls away from me, I'm completely breathless and sated, but not for long. I feel a hankering for his kisses coming on.

"You're not even going to say hi?" Miranda asks him angrily, crossing that moment to interrupt. He ignores her like she doesn't even exist and instead focuses on me.