Page 40 of Begin Again, Part 2

By the time Wednesday rolled around, Eden was a bundle of nerves, unable to sit still or hold down anything she ate. Not only was this her first Fashion Week, but she'd also decided to have her long-overdue chat with Liam about Aiden after the show.

Shortly before 2:00 PM, she left work and was pleasantly surprised to find her friends crowded in her living room. Their presence was a welcome distraction from the gnawing anxiety churning in the pit of her stomach every time her looming chat with Liam crossed her mind.

For a little while, Eden lost herself in the mundaneness of playing dress-up, realising anew how painfully underprepared she was when Lydia showed her the show-stopping outfits A-listers had worn to the opening show.

Her hair was her only saving grace. Franco had outdone himself by styling her now longish lob in a chic, slicked-back look to show off her non-existent cheekbones and graceful neck.

"I don't think I can do this," she said as she slipped out of yet another dress that didn't look right on her. She'd gone through four so far—two of her own, Lydia's and Sienna's. Cassandra's off-the-shoulder Ellie Saab was her last hope. But minutes after trying it on, it joined the others on the couch.

The doorbell rang as she was about to give up and cancel on Liam. Brenda went to get it, returning a minute later with an armload of shopping bags from Nicci's.

"Mr Anderson sent these over," she said, setting them down on the kitchen island. "He'll meet you at the venue, but someone will pick you up around five."

Puzzled by the announcement, Eden looked through the bags, her friends squealing over her shoulder. It turned out there was no need to whip herself into a frenzy. Liam had sent over five outfits, matching lingerie sets, shoes, and accessories.

"You have to marry this man," Sienna repeated what she'd been saying from day one.

"No, thank you," Eden said as she texted the man in question to ask him which outfit he preferred. "After Simon, I don't think I can ever commit to anyone like that again. My parents weren't exactly shining examples of marital bliss."

"Simon was a cheating bastard." Cassandra pointed out as she sipped her Chardonnay and nibbled on cheese sticks. "You can't paint everyone with the same brush."

"And your parents have their own issues. Not every marriage is miserable." For once, Lydia had something sensible to say.

Already preoccupied with Liam's swift but short response telling her to 'surprise him', Eden barely acknowledged their pearls of wisdom.

"Unbelievable!" She shook her head and stared at the screen, praying there was more to the text. But after two minutes and still nothing from Liam, she sent him a follow-up message reminding him of their chat after the show.

Her phone pinged in her hand, almost sending her into cardiac arrest when she read his message. 'Looking forward to it.'

"What's wrong?" Sienna leaned over her shoulder and scanned the messages.

"Nothing," Eden replied quickly, dumping her phone on the coffee table. "I'm just a little anxious about our chat, that's all."

Her friends nodded, but didn't say anything. They didn't have to. The worried looks in their eyes spoke volumes.

"God, what do I do?" she asked as she looked through the bags again. Her life would be so much easier if Liam would just tell her which outfit he preferred so she'd return the rest and he could get a refund.

"Just tell him the truth." Sienna handed her a freshly topped up wine glass.

"And we'll all be on standby if shit goes down," Cassandra reminded her. "Just call one of us, and we'll pick you up."

"Yeah," Lydia agreed. "Where is this chat happening anyway? The penthouse or his mansion?"

Eden shrugged. She didn't know yet, and the venue was the least of her concerns. She and Liam were at a good place right now, but there was no telling how he'd handle the news—

"Look at the time!" Sienna panicked when Lydia's daytime soap came on the TV, cutting through her thoughts. "You have to get dressed."

Even though she was running behind schedule, her friends insisted she should try on all the outfits. So for ten minutes, Eden strutted up and down her living room like she was on the runway, showing off the clothes.

She settled on a red power suit and a white camisole, pairing it with monochrome stilettos and an oversized black clutch big enough to hold the custody agreement.

Lydia took tons of lookbook photos for her vlog, arguing Eden would have to get used to being in front of the cameras. The paparazzi would be out in full force, ready to snap her photos since it was also Liam's Fashion Week debut, and the whole of Rock Castle was waiting with bated breath to see his date.

By the time two black SUVs pulled up outside her house, Eden was hyperventilating so much that the girls had to quickly make her a makeshift sick bag in case she threw up on her way to the venue.

She kissed Aiden goodnight, gulped down her wine and set off. Her friends' catcalls followed her shaky progress as she wobbled her way to the car. She didn't know if her shaky steps were due to the wine or sheer anxiety, but she was happy to chalk it down to nerves as she shoved a mint chewing gum in her mouth.

Liam was waiting outside the venue when they pulled up, looking dapper in a black Dunhill suit and a white button-down shirt. He held the door for her and helped her out of the car.

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