A/N: Sorry for the long delay. My life has been rather hectic with work etc. Fortunately, there are only five or six more chapters left of the story, depending on how much I fit into each chapter. Then I plan to start writing the sequel of Chantal and Adam. I had planned to include their story into this one but I figure that they, too, deserve their own story. And believe me, they've got plenty of drama, maybe even more than Isabella and Tyler. I can't wait to start telling their story. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

All I Want For Christmas

Chapter Ten

Isabella scrunched up her face as she rose from her position on the couch where she had finished tying her sons shoe laces. She made her way toward the door and hoped that whoever stood on the other side was easily able to go away considering she had planned her day to revolve all around Noah. She hadn't had a day off in so long not that she didn't know her job required her to work sufficient hours during the day. But for once she merely wanted to spend it with her son without any kind of interruption like was usually thrust upon her.

And of course she could account for some kind of interruption to what she was expecting today when she opened the door only to see the last person she wanted to see staring back at her.
Crap! She thought. What is Tyler doing here?

She had been able to spend the past three weeks without seeing Tyler yet here she was standing opposite him. How had she gone three weeks avoiding him? Had it been possible? Was it all a dream? None of it had been a dream, not even the kiss that had happened between the two of them on Valentines Day. At the time, she had just wanted to forget all that had happened between them but as of right now she still couldn't get her head around the fact that she had kissed him. No scratch that, she couldn't believe he had kissed her. She had dreamed she'd get another valentines day with him but she had counted on it being when he was engaged to someone else.

"Hi," Tyler said. "I didn't know if you'd be here or not. I've seem to be missing you every time we collect Noah these past few weeks and for a while I thought it was a coincidence but then I got thinking that maybe you were purposely avoiding me. That you didn't want to see me."
So he had figured her out. Okay maybe she had gone out of her way to avoid him but it wasn't that she wasn't busy because she was. She had been busy branching out her clothing line as she introduced a maternity range to the company. She also had to launch the start of her summer range.

"Well the idea did come to mind but I'm not a child anymore. I'm the mother of a child and we're two mature adults. We can work it out without having to avoid each other. I'm a mother and career woman. I've simply been busy. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Have you been avoiding me because I forced you to evaluate your own emotions?"

Tyler said nothing. Instead he stood there, his brown eyes wide with amusement which prompted Isabella to say something.

"Did I hit a nerve?"

And again, he said nothing which meant that she had her answer. Isabella re assessed the situation and changed the subject. There was no need to dilly dally any longer.

"Why are you here? You're not supposed to see Noah until Friday."
When I know I can get out of seeing you.

“Yeah, well, I’m busy on Friday so I came today. Is that a problem?”

“Oh no, it’s no problem at all despite the fact that I’ve just scheduled a day off today so that I can spend it with Noah. Can’t you reschedule your time spent with Noah to tomorrow after work?”

Tyler shook his head. “No, I can’t because I’m on a stake out tomorrow. Can’t you go to work today and take the day off tomorrow?

Isabella clicked her tongued, rolling her eyes as she stood with her hand on her hip. “No I can’t. Running your own business isn’t as easy as people think it is. You can’t just take a day off here and there when you feel like it. Besides I have an important meeting to attend so no, I cannot take tomorrow off."

"I didn't say you didn't work hard."

"Whatever. So what is the stake out for anyway?"

"I can't say. It's classified information to civilians."

"Right, so how do I know you're telling me the truth? Maybe you're blowing our son off in favour to spend time with Adrienne."

Isabella wouldn't put it past Adrienne to pull a stunt like this so she could have Tyler’s undivided attention all to herself.

"I am working and you can call Adrienne if you'd like but she is well aware that I have to work. I'm not lying."

Isabella folded her arms. "Then I believe you. So where are you taking Noah?"

"I thought I'd take him to the park since he loves it so much."

"Well I don't know how long you'll be there but if you're going then I'll get you to take a jacket for Noah because it is going to rain."

"He'll be fine. It is not going to rain."

"Ah, hello? Have you seen the sky outside or the weather forecast on the TV? They said there's a slight chance for showers."

"Since when do newsmen get the weather right? Besides, who watches the forecast on TV now? You can access it on your phone."

"Daddy, daddy," crowed Noah as he came running to the door, Tyler scooping him up into his arms. Noah grinned, wrapping his small arms around his neck.

"Hey buddy," said Tyler. "You want to go to the park today?"

"Yeah," Noah said with enthusiasm. "Can mummy come too?"

Tyler looked at Isabella then back to Noah. "If Mummy wants to come, she can come.”

Did she want to spend time with her ex boyfriend was the question. Of course she didn't have to say yes. She could stay here. There were things she needed to do at home too. Housework just wasn't a main priority of hers right now. Then again, it could be sed as the perfect excuse to get out of having to be with her son and ex in one day. She could handle being with Noah but when it came to Tyler, she was unsure of how she should be around him anymore after their kiss.

"I don't know...I can probably find something that needs to be cleaned."

"C'mon, Mummy," Noah pleaded, his big brown eyes almost as identical as the ones his father was showing.

"Yeah, come on. You weren't going to get any house work done today anyway. So come with us to the park."

Isabella hesitated, not sure as to the answer she should give. Should she take up the offer and go to the park with Noah and Tyler, pretending that they were one of those typical happy and normal young families or should she resist the urge to spend anymore time with Tyler in case those unresolved feelings resurfaced all over again and this time, she wasn't so sure if she would be able to control the extent of her emotions towards Tyler's reactions like she had last night. Then again, she didn't nearly get enough of a chance to just
hang out with Noah and she had blown off work to do exactly that so why not be with her son today, even if that meant having to deal with the intensity of being around Tyler as well.

"Alright then, you've talked me into it. Let's go to the park."

And as Isabella ran around the apartment, piling her things together and grabbing a jacket for Noah and herself, she quickly joined Tyler and Noah at the entrance of the apartment.

"The park, yay! This is going to be fun." Noah exclaimed, still in Tyler's arms but anxious to get down to the ground.

"You bet, buddy," Tyler replied with a laugh. He looked over his shoulder at Isabella who didn't know what else to do other than smile.

And as she followed her son and Tyler out the door, shutting the door behind her, she softly muttered, "Sure, fun."
Noah was right. Maybe this day would turn into fun.

A taxi a short time later and Tyler, Isabella and Noah had been at Central park for a few hours and so far, Isabella had to admit that she was having a pretty good time with the two of them, despite being conciencsious of the weather and the grey, gloomy cloud hanging over their heads. Isabella was unsure of how much longer they'd be enjoying this pleasant trip to the park but she vowed to forget about the impending rain and just enjoy being here. She hadn't been to the park in so long.
"So aren't you glad you came?" asked Tyler as he held onto Noah's hand and started to swing him just as he liked.

Isabella remained tight lipped as they walked through the park, holding onto Noah’s hand so there was no chance of him breaking away from them.

Then as they continued to walk through the park, Isabella couldn't help but look up at the sky and notice the sky changing colour as dark clouds began forming throughout the once blue sky. And then it wasn't long before the rain started to fall down lightly which then became heavy drops of rain in a sudden down pour as Isabella began piling Noah into the jacket she had brought him, lifting him from the ground and pulling him to her.

She looked up at Tyler. "So aren't you glad I bought Noah a jacket? I suppose I better get him home before it starts raining heavier."

"Then come back to my place." Tyler noticed the uncertainty in her face. "At least until the rain dies down. My place is closer to the park than yours."
Isabella hesitated though she really didn't see any other option if she wanted to get Noah out of the rain as quick as possible. She didn't want him to catch a cold. It was the last thing she wanted to have happen. She didn't need time off work to care for a sick child. And so because she didn't have a choice, she agreed to Tyler's offer.

A few minutes later after dashing out of the rain, they found themselves at Tyler's place, drying off.

"I'm hungry." Noah propped himself up on the stool at the kitchen counter. Tyler leaned over the kitchen counter. "Are you now?"
Noah nodded his head. "Uh-huh."

"Then I will have to do something about that, won't I?"

Noah's face erupted into a huge smile.

"So what do you want?" Tyler asked, opening a cupboard door.

"Spaghetti."

"Spaghetti it is then," Tyler said just as Isabella emerged from the bathroom, still in her wet clothes.

"Ugh! I think I should maybe just go home. I really shouldn't be in these wet clothes. Maybe I should just take Noah home.”

"Then don't. I've got an old sweatshirt you will fit into."

Isabella hesitated. She really didn't want to have to have spend anymore time here than she needed to. As it was, the intensity of her emotions was all out of whack. She could just imagine what she'd be like in another couple of hours. She wouldn't be able to control her emotions despite their son being with them.

"At least until it stops raining so you don't have to cart Noah out into the rain. Besides, I’m assuming the clothes you're wearing are quite expensive and wet enough as it is to get wet anymore."

He had her there. Her clothes weren't on the cheap side and she wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to hold herself up in her wedges. She had made a mental note when she bought them that they weren't made to walk in the rain in. That plan had gone completely out the window. Isabella ran a hand through her matted wet hair. "Alright. I suppose I have no choice because I really don't want to have to walk home with these shoes on when it's wet."

"I don't know why you even wore them to the park."

Isabella gave Tyler a look. "Well, you didn't expect me to wear sneakers did you? I've never worn sneakers in my life, not unless I had to. And this time was no exception. Besides, they're not that high. Well not as high as my many other heeled shoes anyway. You should have remembered that about me."

"Of course I did. I just expected some things to change. That's all."

Tyler moved away from the kitchen bench and made his way down the small hall to his room. "I'll just get the sweatshirt for you." He called out.

As Isabella waited for Tyler to return to her, she watched Noah’s eyes fall shut from his changed position on the couch. He truly had had a big day today. It was no wonder he was too tired to contemplate dinner tonight.

“Alright, here you—” Tyler stopped mid sentence and gazed at Noah. “Jeez, he sure is tired.”

“Yeah, well, he’s a three year old with boundless energy to burn. When he’s tired, he sleeps.”

Tyler held out the sweater and as Isabella reached out to take it from him; her hand gently grazed his, and suddenly remembered what it was like to be touched by him. She quickly withdrew her hand away, trying to distance herself from him as much as possible. The last thing she wanted right now was to be tempted to do something she knew she’d regret later on. As it was, she already regretted kissing him back on Valentine’s Day. She didn’t need anymore regrets.

“Uh, you can use the bathroom to change.”

“Thanks.”

Isabella went into the bathroom, pushing the door shut behind her, not wanting to take any chances though she doubt Tyler would go as far as ruining his relationship with Adrienne anymore than he probably had.

She slipped out of her wet clothes as they clung to her body and pulled the sweater over her head. Then as her hand fell down the front of her, she stopped and placed her hand over her stomach, feeling the fabric of the sweater as memories flashed at her, suddenly remembering the familiarity this sweater held. It wasn’t just any old sweater to her. It was something from the past she had with Tyler. It had been a gift to Tyler. And she couldn’t believe he had held onto it after all this time.

Isabella picked her clothes up, opening up the door as she went back into the living room. Though she should have been wary of the length the sweater fell down along her legs, she had a more pressing question on her mind.

“Since Noah’s asleep, I figured I wouldn’t need to make spaghetti so I took it in the liberty to order pizza. Supreme and Hawaiian, your—”

“Favourite. You remembered.”

Tyler nodded his head. “Of course I did. Surprised?”

“A little, yeah,” Isabella said softly, biting on her bottom lip.

“I try not to forget about things that mean a lot to me like the sweater you’re wearing.”

Isabella looked down. “You remember how you got this?”

“Of course I do. I’m not going to forget about something as essential as receiving a pink sweater on a day that meant so much to me.”

Isabella tossed her clothes into the laundry basket nearby then sat down on the other end of the couch that Noah was asleep on.

She crossed her legs, feeling her bare skin rubbing together. “Then tell me what you remember.”

Tyler sat down in the other chair opposite her, running a hand through his hair as if he was stalling the moment. Then he showed a mischievous smile. “It was the day after prom. We ditched school in favour of spending the day together—you, me, Adam and the rest of our group of friends. We went to the amusement park and had fun just enjoying being together for what could have been our final moment’s altogether. We celebrated being seniors in high school, that high school was almost over. You wanted to go on that ride because no body else would."

"Yeah, it was the only one I wanted to go on. So you went on it with me even if it meant you'd get wet."

"And I did get wet but it was okay because it made you happy and all I wanted was to give you a day we would remember for the rest of our
lives. You bought that shirt in the gift shop for me because you didn't want me to catch a cold. The pink one was the last of them so I wore it though I knew people were staring at me and Adam was mocking me."

"But at least you're a man. It takes a real man to wear pink. I can't believe you still have it let alone remember the story behind it."

“Yeah, well, I guess I’m just full of surprises.”

“You certainly are,” she murmured.

Almost two hours later after pizza had been consumed and numerous glasses of vodka mixed with tequila drowned, Tyler and Isabella sat around an empty pizza box laughing quietly together, careful not to wake up Noah who had fallen fast asleep soon after they arrived at Tyler’s place.

Isabella rubbed her head. “Ooh, well I haven’t eaten as much as I did tonight in quite a while.”

“People tell you not to?” Tyler raised his glass to his mouth and drank some more.

Isabella shook her head and cleared her voice. “Not people. It’s just one person.”

Tyler pointed his finger. “Let me guess, your mother?”

“Yep, you got it in one. Being in the spotlight, apparently I have a certain image to uphold. That means, no pigging out on unnecessary foods like pizza.” Isabella ran a hand through her matted hair. “I could just imagine how she’d react if she saw me now.”

“She’d probably assume I had persuaded you to drink and eat pizza.”

“You did, didn’t you?” Isabella laughed then said, “Yeah, no, she had used to think you were a bad influence on me. I was always too good to go out with you or that’s what she said every time she caught me going out to meet you.”

“I don’t know…maybe your mother has a point. Maybe I was a bad influence.” Tyler shrugged his shoulders. “Before we got together, you were a picturesque of innocence that never had a boyfriend.”

“Which was by choice,” Isabella reminded him. “I dated but playing hard to get was always more fun. It’s how you and I got together in the first place.”

“Don’t remind me. You had me trying to catch you for what felt like forever.”

“Yeah, I know,” Isabella grinned. “It’s how I roll. Besides, it worked. You never did stop chasing after me.”

“That’s because if I did, I knew I’d regret losing you to some other guy, although, I had no idea that the bet would actually work.”

Isabella narrowed her eyes. “Oh, of course you did or otherwise you wouldn’t have made me the bet. The team was unbeatable. You knew you would sink the winning shot because it was all rigged. Well, not the game but the last shot was.”

“How you know about that?”

“Kara told me. And I believe that Stan told her at the party because you know what he’s like. After a few cups of beers, it’s hard to shut him up.”

“Yet you still went out with me knowing all that.”

“Despite your lamest attempts, you had done it all for me. Besides, I loved you.” And she felt like saying, I still do but she wasn’t sure how that would go down. She’d probably end up making a fool of herself if she did.

There was silence and Isabella could have pin pointed the tension in the room, even if she wasn’t quite herself partly due to the many glasses of vodka she had intoxicated.

“Well, I guess Noah and I had better go now so I can hail a cab before the rain falls heavy again.”

“There’s no need. You can stay here tonight.” And before Isabella could protest, Tyler opened his mouth to say something else. “Do you really want to take Noah out into the city after he’s been asleep?”

Tyler had her there. Noah had had a disturbed sleep and a very full on day. If she woke him up now, he’d only become increasingly agitated and then she’d find it hard to get him back to sleep once they were home like she had on Valentine’s Day.

Isabella really didn’t see any other option. Therefore, she had no choice but to take up his offer like it was the last thing she wanted to do. Actually, it was the last thing she wanted to do. What would Adrienne think? She only hoped Tyler wouldn’t receive a surprise visit from his fiancé. That girl had already expressed how much she despised her. Isabella didn’t want to give her another reason to go all out in round two.

“Alright, we’ll stay but I sleep on the couch.”

“Nonsense, you can sleep in my bed and I’ll take the couch,” Tyler compromised.

“What about Adrienne? I’m sure she won’t be pleased to know I’m sleeping in your bed.”

Tyler rose to his feet to head to the kitchen, picking up the empty pizza box to take with him. “She’ll be fine.”

Isabella wasn’t sure if Tyler was kidding, being serious of making light out of the situation but she gave him a look of disbelief in which he returned. She didn’t know Adrienne all too well but what she did know was that she wouldn’t be one to like the idea of having her fiancé’s ex girlfriend sleeping in his bed.

“She’ll be fine because she’ll never know. She’s spending the night at her parents place in Connecticut.”

And since Isabella didn’t know of what else to say, she muttered “OK.”

As Isabella got up, she leaned down and gently ran a hand through Noah’s fine hair, kissing him softly on his forehead. Then she looked up at Tyler. “Take care of my baby,” she said quietly, chewing her bottom lip.

Tyler nodded his head. “I will. If he wakes up, I’ll put him in my bed with you. Good night.”

“Thank you. Good night.”

And as she walked into his bedroom, shutting the door behind her, she just hoped she was able to get some rest knowing she was sleeping in Tyler’s bed.

The following morning, Tyler slowly opened his eyes, squinting at his surroundings around him as he remembered why he found himself sleeping on the couch. His bed was being slept in by someone else he knew he shouldn’t be sharing a bed with—Isabella.

He had offered her his bed to save her the hassle of returning home in the rain along with a weary three year old.

Noah. The sudden thought of his son’s name inside his mind had him peering over at the other couch, finding a little boy sound asleep as his small body curled around toward the wall of the couch.

Gosh, he was adorable even when he was sleeping. Tyler still found it hard to believe that Noah was actually his son, that he had fathered a child with Isabella.

Tyler pulled himself up from the sofa and sat there for a moment, collecting himself as he raised his arms above his head to stretch, realising why he rarely liked to sleep on this sofa. His back ached. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought to see if Adam had returned home from his date. Then again, if he had, he’d probably catch a glimpse of Adam and his newest date hooking up and that was an image he didn’t want to play into or have his mind be a witness to play over and over again. There were some things he had vowed he never wanted to see and that was one of them which is why he and Adam had promised or rather Adam had promised never to have sex with any woman he brought back to their apartment in the middle of the living room. Even as roommates and best mates since elementary school, they had their boundaries they dared not to venture to.

Then he heard movement from inside his room. Isabella was awake. At least he wouldn’t be alone to contend with the thoughts running through his head. Then the door opened and Isabella emerged, her hair no better than it had been last night.

"Good morning," he said with a smile. "I hope I didn't wake you up." Isabella shook her head, running a hand through her messy hair, trying to smooth her hair down. "Nope," she replied, her voice hoarse. "I'm used to getting up early with Noah."

"You want breakfast?"

"Are you cooking?" Isabella showed a smile. "I hear that you can still make a mean stack of pan cakes."

"Oh, yeah? And who told you that?" Tyler asked like he didn't know.
Isabella shrugged, playing along with him as she swung her hair to either side of her body. "Oh, I don't know. It was just some guy I used to know. He was really good at making pancakes."

"Just some guy, huh? Is he cute?”

“Well, he was. He used to have all the girls falling at his feet, including his girlfriend. So are you offering?" Isabella’s eyes twinkled as she spoke.

Tyler retrieved a spatular from the cupboard above the counter along with the pan cake mix and pan. "With a compliment like that, how can I say no?"

"Mmm, that was the idea. You weren't supposed to." Isabella laughed as she turned toward the bathroom. Then as Tyler turned back to what he was doing, he heard the sound of a key turning in the door, figuring that Adam was making his way home from last nights festivities, no doubt ready to do the walk of shame once more that he was already used to. But to Tyler's surprise, Adrienne entered, swinging the keys Tyler had given her around her finger.

She greeted him with a smile which would no doubt disappear once she saw that Isabella was here. "Hey, baby."
Her eyes wandered toward the lounge where she saw Noah sleeping. "Oh, I didn't know that Isabella had allowed Noah to spend the-" Her train of thought was cut off when Isabella walked out of the bathroom.

"Thanks for airing out my clothes last night." She stopped when she locked eyes onto Adrienne, obviously not expecting to see either of them standing there. As a picturesque of innocence, Adrienne looked as if she had could have stepped off the cover of one of the fashion magazines Isabella usually had Bella advertised in. With crisp denim jeans, top and jacket she looked ready to start the day unopposed to herself who was still wearing the festivities of the day before. But they were and as Tyler stood front and centre, not sure what to say, he just hoped that this morning wouldn't break out into round two of their showdown that they had previously reinstated. Not when Noah was present. As fiery as Isabella and Adrienne could be, surely both had the decency to back down from the solid ground they wanted to defend. Didn't they? As of right now, Tyler wasn't so sure but at this point, he wished that he had thought with his head instead of his heart and opted to not love the women who were far too headstrong, fighting for what they believe in. It never got him anywhere.

"Oh, hi, Adrienne,” she said politely.

"Isabella," Adrienne returned.

"Isabella just stayed the night because she came to the park with Noah and I yesterday after a slight mix up when it started to rain. So I suggested that she just come back here until it stopped since my place was closer."

"But it was still raining when night fell so Noah and I just stayed here." Isabella didn't like that she had to justify herself to Adrienne nor that Tyler did it for her. Nothing happened between them and she had made sure that nothing did and would never happen again. Still, she understood why Tyler would go to such trouble of explaining his actions to Adrienne.

"Yeah, Tyler has always been such a good guy," Adrienne added though Isabella knew that. She had since school.

“Anyway, Tyler, I’m just going to go and change back into my clothes,” Isabella said, suddenly becoming aware of what she was wearing and how it could be misleading to Adrienne as Isabella tugged down on the hem of the sweater, trying to bring it farther down her legs.

“Yeah, okay.”

And as Isabella carefully extracted herself from the room, she was thankful to have a reason to leave the room. You could have squashed the tension with your hand. Though, she just wished that she was able to extract herself from the situation but as long as Noah was in Tyler’s life, she’d always be a part of Tyler’s life and unfortunately, that included Adrienne too.

Upon Isabella’s disappearance into the bathroom, Tyler took to defending his actions to his fiancé who sometimes had a tendency to overreact just a little bit.

“Nothing happened,” Tyler told her in a whisper. “She slept in my bed and I was on the couch and believe me, my back is killing me. There’s a reason why I’m slouching this morning.”

Adrienne seethed sarcastically, patting him on the shoulders when he came to her side. “Oh, my poor baby,” she simply said. “Toughen up. I’m sure you haven’t seen the last of your couch sleeping days.”

Then Noah began to stir, rubbing his little eyes with his hands as he sat up, looking at his surroundings around him.

“Hey, buddy,” Tyler said. “You have a good sleep?”

Noah got up from the lounge, warily making his way to his father, holding onto his leg. Adrienne bowed down to his level, tickling his tummy but he pulled back in between Tyler’s legs.

“Mummy,” he wailed.

Just then, the bathroom door opened. “Did I just hear someone call me?”

As Noah’s eyes fell on his mother, he immediately went to her, as she picked him up and he snuggled into her arms. To her, there was nothing better than being able to cuddle her little boy in her arms.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked him.

Noah nodded his head, resting his cheek against her shoulder. Isabella used her finger to softly graze the side of his face.

She looked back at Tyler. “Sorry. I forgot to tell you that of a morning after Noah is awake, he’s a little disorientated and will only want me. He’ll be fine when he has a chance to wake up. So I guess we’ll be going now.”

“Oh, okay. You sure you don’t want to stay for pancakes?” Tyler asked her.

Yes she was sure she didn’t want to be around Adrienne anymore than she needed to and if there was any opportunity of ducking out not having to be with her then she was going to take it and as tempting as tasting Tyler’s pancakes again sounded, she didn’t want to sit through an hour of unresolved apprehension.

“I’m sure.” She smiled meekly. “My clothes are dry and I’ve got to get home anyway. There are a couple of things I’ve got to do before I drop Noah at day care and go into work. We’ll find something to eat at home.”

Isabella picked up her bag from the lounge and as she passed Tyler, he said goodbye to Noah.

“You want to say bye to daddy?” Isabella whispered to Noah. And without lifting his head, Noah reached out his hand to wave good bye.

“Bye Daddy,” he mumbled.

“Good luck with your stake out. Let me know when you want to schedule another day with Noah.”

“I will. Bye.”

With one hand around Noah and one on the door knob, Isabella opened the door and stepped out onto the porch then looked back, her focus to Tyler as well as Adrienne. “Bye,” she said, before she was gone.

And as Tyler watched Isabella take his son home, he half expected Adrienne to say something to him but she said nothing.

“What?” she asked as she caught Tyler staring at her.

“Nothing, I was just expecting some kind of disappointed comment from you because Isabella spent the night.”

Adrienne raised her hands above her head and rolled her eyes. “No, not today—I trust you, remember?”

Tyler resumed making pancakes as Adrienne muttered under her breath, “It’s Isabella, I don’t trust.” So that Tyler didn’t hear her.

This was a sign to Adrienne that Tyler had never seen before but he also liked it—a lot.

“Oh, hey, Adrienne,” Adam said, walking into the apartment. “Tyler at work?”

Adrienne turned around, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead as she cleaned the top of the stove. “Hi and yes he is.”

“So you’re cleaning the apartment?” Adam asked, tossing his keys onto the counter as he reached into the refrigerator to grab a can of drink.

“Uh-huh. I don’t see how you boys can cook in this kitchen or how you bring your conquests back here. This place is a mess.”

Adam shrugged his shoulders, snapping the metal thing off the top of his can. “We’re used to it and besides, when I bring a girl back to my place, they’re a little too busy to notice the state of the apartment if you know what I mean.”

Adrienne raised her yellow gloved hands in the air. “Yeah, okay, I get it. I don’t need to know anymore.”

“Good. I wasn’t planning to tell you anyway.” Adam sat himself down on the couch and used the remote control to switch on the television set.

Adrienne went back to scrubbing the top of the stove as if she was trying to scrub away the dysfunctional dilemmas in her life. If only it were that easy.

“What gives? Adam asked, turning his attention away from one of those day time talk shows. “You’re constant groans are interrupting my TV time.”

Adrienne turned around to face Adam, her hands on her hips. “Oh, yeah, cause you just love to watch women’s talk shows.”

“What? I can’t be one of those guys who watch this stuff? I’m a sensitive guy. I have feelings too you know.”

“Yeah, I don’t doubt that for a second.” She rolled her eyes. It was kind of hard to believe every word he said when she had never seen him be in a committed relationship.

Adam sighed. “Well, fine, you caught me. I don’t personally use their advice in my life but hey, I have mates who need help when they’re having relationship problems. I come in handy to them though you won’t find me tied down to one woman.” Adam took a swig of his drink. “So if you haven’t heard. I’m kind of a relationship expert around here. What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Adrienne lied. The last thing she wanted to do was spill her thoughts about Isabella to Adam. It was a bad move since he’s known Isabella since grade school. They were friends. Then again, being her friend. Maybe, he’d be able to shed some light on the girl and her previous relationship with Tyler. It was worth a shot.

Adrienne pulled the gloves off her hands, putting them on the kitchen counter as she went and sat down beside Adam. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.”

“Tyler and Isabella—what were they like—in high school?”

“Well, you know, they were a teenage couple in high school,” said Adam. He didn’t want to confess anymore than he needed to. As much as he wished his best mate was marrying Isabella instead of Adrienne, he hated to see Adrienne upset. But he had an inkling that she found his words hard to believe.

“C’mon,” she said, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. “Tell me the truth. I can handle it.”

Adam glanced at Adrienne, her wide eyes waiting for an answer. “OK, well, they were Tyler and Isabella.”

Adrienne looked at her with disbelief, prompting Adam to continue. “No, seriously, it’s the truth. The entire school knew them as Tyler and Isabella—Isabella and Tyler. When we were seniors, they were the go to couple for all the other grades beneath us. Everybody knew who they were and even in their break up period, no one dared to date either one of them because we all knew that their break up wouldn’t last. It never did. They were meant to be. That’s what we all thought but I guess we were wrong.”

“Oh,” Adrienne mumbled. She hadn’t wanted to show her disappointment to Adam. She knew that he probably hoped his friends would get back together.

“But, hey,” Adam said, nudging Adrienne. “That was high school. And Tyler’s with you. He’s marrying you.

Adrienne stood up, returning to the kitchen. “Funny. I always thought you despised me.”

Adam shook his head, his eyes still remaining focused towards the television set. “No, I’ve just never had the chance to really get to know you.”

So he had lied. She had hit the nail on the head. He didn’t like her and he had been given ample opportunities to get to know her but he had chosen not to. He simply figured that her relationship with Tyler would never last beyond a couple of years. Definitely not an engagement, that was for sure. He just didn’t think she was right for his best mate. There was no better suited person than Isabella. Now he just needed to convince his friends of that.

“Adrienne!” Isabella exclaimed, giving herself the fright of her life later that day. She had arrived home to pick up the designs she had forgotten to take with her in the morning and was now on her way to pick up Noah as well as drop the sketches into work before she returned home for the day when she literally ran into Adrienne outside her door. This was certainly a surprise, considering the only other time she had bothered to come to her door was when she had given her a piece of her mind. Therefore, Isabella could think that she had come here for round two after finding out of her sleepover at Tyler’s.

“Oh, are you on your way out?” she asked.

Oh, uh, jeez, what gave it away? Isabella had wanted to say but she knew she needed to be pleasant to the fiancé of her son’s father because she’d always be a part of Noah’s life.

“Yeah, I was. I’ve got to make a quick stop into work and then pick up Noah. Was there a reason you came to see me? You know, if you were hoping to witness a second encounter between Tyler and me than you’re mistaken because he’s not here.”

“No, actually, I have a favour to ask of you.”

Isabella sighed. She knew she’d probably come to regret her answer but she said it anyway. “Um, okay.”

Adrienne pursed her lips together. “I was wondering if you’d make my wedding dress. I’m aware of your busy schedule and completely understand if you’re unable to make it at this time but just so you know, I am willing to pay you a substantial amount.”

“I…uh—” Isabella was completely gob smacked by Adrienne’s sudden desire to have her make her gown. She hadn’t heard anything else more about it since Adrienne discovered that Isabella and Tyler were high school sweethearts. Isabella just figured that she had already decided on the dress she wanted to wear.

“Look, I know that you and I have our differences and they’re reasons beyond our control but when the first time I met you, I did mean what I said and even now, knowing everything about you and Tyler, I still mean it. You’re one of my favourite designers and I’d love to wear my favourite designer on one of the biggest days of my life. And whether we like it or not, we’re going to be a part of each other lives for the rest of our lives so I just want us to try and get along. So will you make my dress?”

“Um…sure, I’d be honoured to make your dress. Of course, it isn’t exactly a huge priority for me right now. I have new season lines that I need to be working on that need to come first because large chain stores worldwide depend on me to make sure production will run on time. But I’ll try to squeeze in as much as time to make your dress as I can so that you are able to wear moi on your wedding day.”

“Great.” Adrienne clasped her hands together and for a second, Isabella thought she’d lean in and hug her. “Because I’ve already been into a dozen bridal shops and haven’t been able to find anything that I can see myself wearing. But with you at the helm of my dress, I can actually see myself wearing it.”

Oh, goody, Isabella thought. “Yeah, well,” Isabella rushed in an attempt to leave as quickly as she could. “It was nice to see you again but I really must be going.”

“Oh, yeah, I won’t keep you any longer. So I’ll call you so we can schedule a time to discuss my dress.”

Isabella smiled politely. “It sounds good.”

And as the two women went their separate ways, Isabella wasn’t so sure how or why she said yes. She hadn’t wanted to say yes to make her ex boyfriend fiancé’s wedding dress but somehow, it felt as though she had been guilt tripped into saying yes. She didn’t think she would have been able to say no to her. Adrienne was very good at getting what she wanted. Isabella imagined she’d only have to bat her eye lashes and she’d have people falling at her feet to answer her every beckoned call.

Damn, now she wished she hadn’t forgotten her designs at home if it meant she wouldn’t run into Adrienne, though Isabella couldn’t but wonder why Adrienne had come to her, asking to make her dress. She was sure there were a million other people who’d be happy to have her wear one of their bridal dresses if she asked. So why come to the ex girlfriend? She would have thought that the more Isabella wasn’t a fixture of the wedding, the happier she’d be—and that meant Isabella too. She was just managing to hold back the unresolved feelings she thought she had already taken control of but somehow they always seemed to creep back to her every time she was alone with Tyler.

She wasn’t supposed to be a part of her ex’s wedding let alone make the wedding dress and she didn’t want to be. Didn’t it go against some kind of girl code rule? She wasn’t exactly up to scratch with girl code though she assumed it had to be some kind of rule, unless of course, this was all a part of Adrienne’s little games. Maybe this was what she had figured she needed to do in order to keep the wedding going according to plan—or to her schedule.