Chapter 26...

Not edited!

Song on the side is Forget About You by R5. Thought it fit pretty well.

The weekend flew by and before I knew it was Tuesday, the day I was meeting up with Lilly and Julie for wedding stuff. I was nervous to be alone with the two of them afraid that I may let something slip. I was also nervous about picking things out for a wedding that was a total hoax. It was 9 o'clock in the morning and I had to met them at 11 at some bridal shop. I wasn't quite sure what we were going to do but I had a feeling Lilly was going to go all out.

I was currently sitting by the window staring out at the backyard with a cup of coffee in my hand. Liam had left a while ago to go to work leaving me to the wolves. Lilly called me yesterday saying Liam was not allowed to come with us today since we may be picking out a wedding dress.

Ever since our date last Saturday and me realizing I was starting to fall for Liam it has been a little awkward around him. I couldn't look him in the eye. I was afraid he would figure it out and tell me to leave or that he didn't feel the same. I was an open book and knew it would be easy to read me. I had to get past my little crush on Liam before things started to get even more awkward. We've been really good these last 2 weeks and I didn't want to ruin it.

Deciding I have been staring out the window long enough and that I should go get dressed I set my feet on the cold tile heading to put my empty cup in the dishwasher. As I walked to my room I sighed at how empty the house was. It wasn't bad when Liam was here because I could talk to him but being here all alone just made the house more empty.

Once I was dressed in a casual pair of black leggings, a oversized cream sweater, and a pair of black boots I was ready to go. My blonde hair was down air drying, curled softly at the ends. I was twirling my ring around my finger standing in the middle of my room. Jenna you can do this. You've met Julie and Lilly before, and you know they are nice. Just be yourself and it will be fine. I chanted to myself. The ringing of my phone made me shake my head and grab it.

"Hello?"

"Hi." Liam's voice said through the phone.

"Hey Liam. Is something wrong?" He usually doesn't call me.

"Nothing's wrong. I was just calling to tell you my driver will be picking you up here in a minute to meet my mother and sister."

"I thought your driver took you this morning?"

"I decided to take the Audi today. I just wanted to let you know so if you need anything just ask him, or call me. And don't let my mom and sister scare you okay? They have the tendency to go over the top and make you want to run for the hills." He chuckled through the phone.

"Don't worry I think I can handle them." I smiled through the phone.

"I know you can. Just remember you don't have to say anything you are not comfortable with or do. And if they get too personal just tell them to back off, if not I can tell them to stop."

"Liam I think I'll be okay. Your mother and sister will be fine. I will let you know when I am back home kay? I better get going I don't want to be late." I said glancing at the clock on my bedside table.

"Okay have fun and... I'll uh talk to you later." Liam finished.

"Have fun at work. Bye Liam." I said hanging up. It was times like that I wondered if Liam really did care or if he was just worried that I would spill the beans on our deal again.

With one last look around my room making sure I had everything and making sure I looked okay, I grabbed my bag and headed towards the front door. Opening the door I saw the black Cadillac that Liam's driver drove. Shutting the door behind me I locked the door and headed for the car. Last week Liam gave me a set of keys to the house since he trusted me now. As soon as I got close to the car the driver side door opened and a middle aged man stepped out. He looked about medium height with light brown hair. He looked to be about 40 or so.

"Hello Ms. Howard." He said politely going to open the back door.

"Hi uh.." I trailed off. I forgot to ask Liam his drivers name.

"Mathew, Mathew Hedly." He said.

"Hi Mathew. Thank you for driving me today." I said sending him a small smile.

"It's no problem Ms. Howard." He smiled down at me.

"Please call me Jenna." I slide into the back seat and he shut the door behind me. I sat there silently as he got back in the car and started driving away from the house. It was weird sitting in the back of a car as someone drove. I wasn't use to being chauffeured around.

"So uh Mathew where are we going first?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Mrs. Stanford and Ms. Julie are waiting at the Highland Town Center for you." Was all he said. As we drove in silence I took out my phone and texted both Sophie and Candy. I haven't seen Sophie in a while and wanted to hang out with her soon. I was hoping I could hang out with both Candy and her, who knows maybe they will become friends.

The ride continued for 20 minutes or so before we finally came to a parking spot. Glancing out the window I saw both Lilly and Julie step out of a store and come towards the car. Without waiting for Mathew to come around I opened the door and stepped out.

"Jenna!" Lilly said as soon as she was in front of me and tugged me into a hug. "It is great to see you again." Standing to her side was Julie. Sending her a smile she smiled back.

"Thank you Mathew. If we need you again I'll give you a call. I think we will just stay around here." Lilly said sending Mathew a smile and a wave before grabbing my arm and leading me away.

"How are you Jenna?" Lilly asked as she lead us somewhere.

"I am good. How are you?" I asked politely.

"I'm great! I am so excited to get the wedding plans started. We have so much to do and today we will make a good dent in it." Walking next to me was Julie and I heard a small groan leave her lips. Grinning at look over at her as she rolled her eyes behind her mothers back.

"I was thinking first we could go to Max's to figure out a color theme, then the florist for flowers, after that wedding dress shopping. Then we can get a quick bit to eat before going shopping for party favors." Lilly listed off.

Oh god what have I gotten myself into.

*******

"I think these lilies would go great with the peach and white color theme." Lilly said picking up a few yellow and peachy color lilies. They were really pretty and had to be my favorite flower in this shop.

We had spent 2 hours going over every single color you could ever think of for the color theme. Lilly had so much suggestions and ideas that she kept switching colors every few minutes. It wasn't until Julie stopped her mom to tell her it was my wedding and that I should choose. Of course being me I couldn't decide. After a lot of talking we picked peach and white as the color. Now we were looking at flowers. I was more than ready to be done but it seemed Lilly had only just started.

"If we slipped out think she would notice?" Julie whispered next to me. I bit back a grin.

"Not sure but she probably wouldn't notice for at least 20 minutes." I whispered back.

"I'm starving I say we slip out the door and make a run for it." She turned to me. Her blue eyes similar to Liam's shining.

"I don't know. What if she gets mad?"

"My mom mad? I've only seen her mad a few times and it was at Liam and Blake. Jenna I beg of you." She pleaded with me. With my stomach growling and one last look at Lilly, who was still blabbing on about flowers to the poor worker girl.

"Okay lets hurry." Both of us slowly back away keeping our eyes on her mother just in case she turned around. As soon as we were a few feet from the door Julie hissed 'now' and we both turned running to the already open door an ran down the sidewalk.

"I think we are far enough away." Julie said a few minutes later coming to a stop. I stopped next to her breathing kind of heavily not use to such exercise. Looking down I saw Julie had heels on, glancing back at her I raised an eyebrow.

"How did you run in those heels?" I blurted out.

"Being a model you have to learn how to. Between shoots and dress changes at shows you learn to run in 6 inch heels." She shrugged as we started walking again.

"Did you always want to be a model?" I asked actually interested to know.

"Not really. I mean growing up I was always told I would make a great model with my long legs, and my skinniness. It seemed only logical that I became one."

"What else did you want to do?"

"I wanted to be a nurse, a pediatric nurse actually. I've always loved children and I wanted to help them in anyway possible. But when my a friend of my mom's needed a substitute model for a showI was pushed to do it and I've been doing it every since; I started when I hit 18. I love the people I work with and the opportunities I get with it. If it wasn't for modeling I wouldn't be the model for Calvin Klein, one the best clothes line out there. I've traveled to amazing places for photo shoots and shows. I just..." She trailed. "No one knows this and you can't tell anyone okay?" She said suddenly.

"I won't I promise." I looked over at her. She was biting her bottom lip like she was contemplating telling me.

"I have been taking classes at NYU for nursing for a while now and just the other day I got an offer to start an internship at a hospital." Julie finally said quietly.

"Julie that is great! You are a few steps closer to doing what you want to do." I didn't know she wanted to be a nurse but I think it is incredible that she wants to be one.

"But Jenna I don't think I can do it."

"Why not? This is a great opportunity and you can't pass it up. Why haven't you told anyone?" I asked.

"Because modeling is the only thing I have ever done. To my parents and everyone else I am the 'model' in the family. Someone with my name shouldn't be a nurse, they should be doing something to make a difference." She said.

"Being a pediatric nurse is making a difference. You are helping little kids and teens get better. Nurses are even more important than doctors."

"I'm just worried about what my parents will say or Liam." Her voice was small and quiet.

"Julie they are your family. They deserve to know and will understand your decision. And you know what if your parents or Liam don't I will make sure they understand okay? If this is what is going to make you happy than do it. You are only 23 and deserve to do something that you truly want." I said stopping and putting a hand on her shoulder. Surprising me she leaned down and hugged me.

"Thank you Jenna." I awkwardly patted her back.

"No problem." Pulling away from me she smiled.

"Now on a less serious note lets go get something to eat!" Smiling I nodded and walked along side her.

******

"There you two are!" A familiar female voice yelled.

"Dammit." Julie muttered coming to a stop and turning around.

For the last hour and a half we were able to hide from Lilly, which is actually pretty impressive if I must say. We got a quick bite to eat at Panera Bread and even were able to go to Victoria's Secret before Lilly found us. I've never been inside one before but with Julie being an Victoria Angel we were immediately welcomed in and given free reign of everything. Lets just say it was embarrassing having your fiancé sister picking our lingerie for me as well as bra's and undies. I had at least 3 bags full of stuff and I was going to make sure to hide the lingerie deep in my closet.

"Where did the two of you run off to?" Lilly's loud voice coming closer. The few people around us turned to look at her weirdly but she paid them no attention. "I was worried that you were kidnapped or something!" She came to a stop in front of us, her eyes narrowed.

"Sorry mom I was hungry as was Jenna so we left." Julie butted in first thankfully. I didn't want to answer.

"You could have at least told me you were leaving!" She pointed a finger at us.

"Sorry but did you at least pick out some flowers." Julie changed the subject.

"I did. I put them on hold so we can go back there with Liam so you two can pick out which ones you like the best." Lilly said to me.

"Oh uh thank you." I said.

"Since I found you two should we go dress shopping now?" Lilly asked.

"You're not hungry?" Julie asked.

"When I couldn't find you after 30 minutes I ate by myself." Lilly waved it off. "Lets go wedding dress shopping. The owner is waiting for us." Was all she said before turning and walking off expecting Julie and I to follow.

Liam's POV

"Mr. Stanford your meeting is at 3:30, so in 5 minutes." My assistant said walking into my office.

"Thank you Willa." I said finishing up a text I was sending to Blake. I had gotten off the phone with Jenna just a few minutes ago and I couldn't help but worry for her today. My mother can be a lot to take, especially with a wedding. Julie would be fine but if she wanted answers from someone she will get them.

Ever since Jenna and I's date on Saturday I have felt weird. I couldn't put my finger on why but I just did. I had a great time playing laser tag with her and then when we were in the bouncy house all I wanted to do was kiss Jenna. She looked so cute jumping around with her blonde hair flying around her face. She looked happy and I was glad I could get her mind off her mother. I wanted to see her smile and hear her laugh all day everyday.

After hearing the story behind her mother leaving her all I wanted to do was march right up to Karen Brotherson and demand why she would do such a thing. How could anyone leave Jenna? Shaking my head I forced myself to not think about that topic anyone. I have thought about it enough to drive me crazy.

Gathering my phone I stood straightening my tie and suit before leaving my office and heading to the conference room. Because I missed half a day last week and didn't answer my phone over the weekend I still was trying to catch up on all the work. Being CEO was hard work and since I was the son of the founder of the company I had more work to do because everyone expected me to be just like my father.

I am not complaining about the work because this is what I have wanted. I want to run this company as well as my father has and make him proud. I technically was already running the place but once I marry Jenna my father will officially give me the title. Of course that doesn't mean that he won't pop up and do things around the office, or that he won't know every single thing that goes on here.

Ever since I got hurt playing football in college the dream of being a professional player flew out the window and I focused on taking over the company. Seeing my father be successful in building a company from the bottom up and still be a great father, really made me want to do him justice by taking over the company. It has been 5 years since my so called 'dream' of being a professional football player and now I cannot help but laugh at that ludicrous idea. I can't see myself doing anything other than running this business. I was young and stuck on a idea not really thinking of the future.

As I sat there listening to the department heads talking about our hotels and companies I tried to keep my mind off of Jenna. Since the day I met her she hasn't left my mind. She has always been the far back until recently when she is front and center constantly. I did really feel bad for the ass I was when I first met her and I couldn't have been happier when she told me she forgave me. For some reason I didn't want Jenna mad at me. The idea at first of living with an unknown girl was something I didn't want, that is why I put Jenna in the guest room the furthest from my room. But now after living with her I have found myself liking it. I like that she knew how to cook and we cooked together every night. I liked that didn't mind staying home at night and on the weekends instead of going out spending money or partying.

I didn't hear a word that was said through out the meeting and when I came too everyone was starting to get up, gathering their things.

"Good job everyone." I said standing up buttoning my jacket and quickly leaving the room. I mentally scolded myself for not listening at the meeting. I really needed to stop thinking about Jenna so much. You like her more than you want to admit. Came the annoying voice in my head. Shut up. I mentally said heading back to my office.

Shutting my office door behind me I went to my desk and sighed. I looked out my window taking in the view from my office. All I really wanted to do right now was go home and be with Jenna. I wanted to hear what her afternoon was like. I even wanted to tell her about mine, which I have never wanted to do in my life. The ping of my phone had me reaching for it. Glancing down I felt a smile appear on my face and my heart flutter a little seeing Jenna's name appear. All her text said was that she was home but it was enough to make me hurry and text back and for my heart race to speed up.

Maybe I did like Jenna more than I think I did.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi! Well there you go! I am sorry this chapter is a little scrambled. I kind of had writers block with this chapter. I didn't know what I wanted it to be of which made me not even start writing it until this afternoon. I kind of just wrote stuff randomly down so sorry it is all over the place!!!!!

At least in this chapter you get to see a little bit of Julie, Liam's sister, a little more. She isn't the biggest character in this book but I think it's nice hearing about the minor characters a little bit. You also get a little bit of Liam in here too which it seems all of you love! :)

***An update this next week may be a little later than Sunday or so. I have a final this week for one of my classes so I want to focus on that and make sure I pass. A lot of you keep messaging me and posting on my board about why I don't update more often and well....I have a life outside of here. I have friends, school, homework, stuff to do around the house, etc. I don't always have time to write!! I love seeing that you guys care and love this book but when it starts getting to that point where its everyday you want an update or even 5 seconds after I post this one, it is VERY ANNOYING!!!! So this is a heads up about a possible late update next week!!!!!

I hope you guys liked this and as always VOTE, COMMENT, AND SMILE :)

I didn't tell guys a few chapter's ago what my favorite tv series is at the moment so...of course my all time favorite is FRIENDS, but I love Blindspot at the moment the best :) I loved all of your comments saying yours!

<3 <3

-Ken