Dedicated to @greatmusiclover for always requesting for updates :) and again @sham2002 because she read my entire story in a couple of days which is pretty awesome.

Noah stood there right in front of the elevator looking hot as hell, a determined glint in those hazel orbs.

"Oh hey, Noah!" Rosie said stepping out of the compartment and towards him. While she greeted him, I felt my best means of escape would be to totally ignore him and walk past them. Quickly.

I began to walk away when I felt his hand grab my wrist and pull me right back, and darn it, it felt like lightning had broken out on my skin at his touch.

My heart palpitated wildly in my chest as I came face to face with him for the first time since our passionate make out session in front of a cemetery.

"Let's not do this hide and seek thing anymore, Ellie", his tone was low, dangerous.

My voice was stuck in my throat. I literally could not get any words out. "I... I..."

"You never pick my calls; return my texts or my voicemails. This whole thing is driving me crazy, Ellie", he ran his free hand through that gorgeous blonde mane.

I finally found my voice. "Oh do you think it's been a ride in the park for me?" I pulled my hand out of his grasp "I don't think I've ever felt worse than I did that day"

Rosie just stood to the side watching us with a seriously confused expression on her face.

"I... get that" Noah said enunciating each word slowly "But we work in the same company, you know we can't avoid each other forever"

"You can watch me try, Noah", I told him determinedly

"Ellie..."

I cut him off. "Can we not talk about this anymore?" I glanced over at Rosie and he seemed to get the clue, probably just realizing she had been watching us all along.

"Fine", he said with a look that said this was far from over. He bid his good bye to Rosie and walked away. I stalked off in the opposite direction, not realizing I was walking fast till Rosie half jogged up to my side.

"Okay, what the hell was that all about?" Rosie inquired, her tone curious and demanding

I shook my head. "It's nothing, Rosie"

"Oh that was definitely more than nothing. You want to tell me what's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Rosie. I really don't want to talk about it", my tone was serious enough to deter her from probing further.

"Okay", she said and that was the end of that conversation.

We walked to the car park and got into our respective cars and made the drive to Bergdorf's.

We shopped around looking for the "perfect" dress till Maya joined us some minutes later. I was glad when Maya joined us as there was some tension hanging between Rosie and me the way we left the conversation at Stinson & Co. Maya was the perfect ice breaker, she and Rosie became quick friends after the initial introduction and she made jokes and lightened the atmosphere that made us forget all the earlier unpleasantness.

Rosie was in one of the changing rooms trying on a pretty lilac lace dress while Maya and I scanned through the racks, pulling out the dresses we thought looked good in Rosie's size.

"So Ellie... did anything happen at work today?" Maya inquired, glancing up at me from the dress she was scrutinizing.

"What? What do you mean", I blubbered

"I mean you have that pale 'I have a problem I don't know what to do except avoid it' look on your face. So come on, spill"

This was why I loved Maya. She knew me too well and even when I wanted to keep certain things to myself, our bond ran deep and I knew I could trust this girl with anything.

"Well I ran into Noah at work just a few minutes before coming here actually", I said to her

"For real? I thought you were doing such a great job of avoiding him before"

"Well, it didn't work this time. I mean, he was just standing there like he was waiting for me", I shook my head at my utter bad luck

"So what happened then?"

"Well we had this minor blow out while Rosie watched"

"Does she know what's going on?"

"Oh heck no, don't you think it's embarrassing enough as it? Besides, Rosie knew Shannon before she knew me, so to her, I'll just be the other girl trying to take what isn't mine", I explained in an agitated tone.

"Okay, I get it", Maya nodded in understanding. Just then, Rosie poked her head out of the curtain separating us from her changing stall. A satisfied smiled was on her face.

"Are you ready girls? I think this is the one" she teased

"Oh come on out, already", Maya said, making some whistling noises to cheer her on.

Rosie stepped out fully and she looked absolutely stunning. The pale lilac was a gorgeous contrast against her fair skin and blonde hair and it was sexy yet classy.

"Oh my world", Maya gushed "You look beautiful, Rosie"

"Absolutely gorgeous. And hey, remember who picked the dress?" I made Blake Shelton finger pointing signals at myself and the girls cracked up.

"Thanks, guys", Rosie said to us, looking extremely happy. She was practically beaming. "I'm so glad you guys came out with me"

I murmured "It's no biggie" and Maya said "Not a problem, hon"

"Oh hey you girls should get dresses too, I mean Maya as my new friend, you get an invite to my engagement party as well and I want you guys to look great"

Maya laughed. "Girl, don't worry about me"

I nodded. "Yeah, you should see the size of her closet", I teased and Maya made a face at me.

"What about you, Ellie?" Rosie's gaze narrowed in on me

"Oh, no I don't really need a new dress", I said shaking my head

"Of course you do. You have that gala in Aspen coming up. Don't tell me you have a gorgeous evening gown lying around", Rosie said matter-of-factly

"Hold up. Gala? Aspen? What am I missing here?" Maya looked at each of us in turn, a confused expression on her face

"Oh Maya, I can't believe I didn't mention this earlier. Mr Stinson is being honoured next weekend in Aspen and I get to go with him. There's a gala and everything and I'm flying first class!" I said excitedly to Maya

"What? That's awesome girl!" she grabbed me and we did a little happy dancing around. She pulled away, suddenly all serious "Now that means you do need an evening dress and a smoking hot one for that matter"

I nodded. "Yeah, now I think of it, I kind of do"

"And that's what we're here for", Rosie said gesturing at herself and Maya "Find a changing room, get out of your clothes and we'll find you some stuff to try on"

There was no arguing with those two so I did exactly as Rosie instructed, getting into one of the changing rooms and peeling off my jeans and navy striped top.

The first dress came in through the curtain just about twenty seconds later. It was an emerald green gown with a tube top and shimmery silky texture. I tried it on and it looked okay, but the top was compressing my boobs and the material was a bit too shiny for me. Before I had time to complain about it to my friends, the next one came in.

"Ellie how's the green dress?" Maya asked through the curtain

I didn't waste a lot of time on my reflection in the mirror before taking it off and reaching for the second dress. "It's okay but I'm keeping my options open", I replied loudly enough for them to hear me

"Okay, blame that one on Rosie", Maya chuckled

"Hey!" Rosie said feigning offence, her voice a bit farther away

"The next one's on me", Maya said just as I stepped into the cobalt blue dress. It was actually really pretty, the colour understated enough that I felt comfortable in it, with a beaded bodice and off the shoulder sleeves.

Wow, like I said Maya had really good style.

I admired my reflection in the mirror, smoothing my hands over the beading.

"Hey, guys I think this one is pretty good. I should get this one" I called out to them. After a few seconds, I didn't hear anything back.

"Guys?" I poked my head out only to have it smothered back in by another dress.

"Try this one on!" Rosie said excitedly

"Oh, that's okay guys. I really like the one I have on"

"Just try it on, Ells! That dress is like magical or something, Rosie and I literarily reached for the hanger at the same time"

"Well, okay if you say so", I stepped out of the blue one albeit reluctantly and observed the one they had just handed me. It was a gorgeous bright shade of hot red with a kind of 90's high neck and an outrageous thigh high slit. It looked like something Angelina Jolie would wear.

Well here goes, I thought as I slipped into it and drew up the side zip.

Woah.

The reflection that stared back at me was not of the same person who had walked into this changing room, I was a freaking bombshell.

The colour was bold and stunning, it fit all my curves perfectly without looking unflattering and that slit was just the right amount of sexy it needed.

Short of it was, I wanted to make babies with this dress.

"What's taking so long?" Maya whined

"Come on out, let's see you", Rosie said, her voice still very much excited.

I stepped out and both Maya and Rosie let out audible gasps.

"What? Is it too much?" I asked, not sure of what to make of the expressions on their faces.

"That dress on you is... perfection", Rosie finally said

"My best friend is a goddess", Maya beamed at me

"You guys are just saying that", I gave them both an aww-shucks look

"No for real, Ellie. Where's your phone let me get a picture of you", Rosie suggested

"It's in my bag", I told her then turned to Maya "Well, I really want this dress. Did you check the tag? I hope it's not too expensive"

"It's not, I checked", Maya assured me

"Okay, give me a sultry pose, Ellie", Rosie said to me holding up my phone and snapping away. I giggled and stuck out my hip, giving her my best movie star poses.

"I need more, Ellie! You need to make love to the camera!", she continued snapping away while I posed around some more, we were all laughing really hard from our antics.

"Oh, Ellie you got a message and I mistakenly clicked on it. It's from..." Rosie's voice wavered off as her eyes focused on something on my phone and her brows furrowed into a frown.

Uh oh, I immediately stopped posing as I could feel the change in her demeanour. All giggling ended abruptly as the atmosphere took on a serious tone.

"...I wish I could say I was sorry for kissing you but I'm not and since it wasn't just me that day in the car, I'm guessing you're not sorry too"

Oh shit. Rosie was reading Noah's text out loud. I sent Maya a panicked look but she just shook her head back at me, we both knew there was nothing we could do to stop it.

"... I am however sorry that me being in your life is messing it up and putting you in uncomfortable situations over and over again. I just can't control myself around you sometimes, Ellie"

"Rosie..." I started, really wanting her to stop but she just went on.

"We tried the avoidance thing last time and it didn't work, so I think we should just talk about this and maybe hopefully, we can get past this whole awkwardness. That starts with you replying my texts or actually picking up the phone when I call. Please. Noah"

Rosie looked up at me then, a disappointed look on her face that made me want to melt into a puddle on the floor in shame. She probably thought of me now as some no-good boyfriend stealer.

"Look, Rosie I can explain..."

"That text kind of explains enough right now", Rosie replied drily "Is this what all that drama with Noah at the elevator was about?"

"Yes, but Rosie believe me I'm not that kind of person. I didn't even know Noah had a girlfriend when I first started having feelings for him", I said to her in an effort to explain myself

"She feels bad enough as it is, Rosie", Maya said standing behind me and offering her support.

"You knew about this too?" Rosie asked Maya

"Of course I knew, I'm her best friend", Maya replied

"Ellie", Rosie looked at me straight in the eye "I'm not mad at you for kissing Noah or anything. His girlfriend is a snake and he's too nice to see it but he deserves better. I'm just disappointed at you because I'm sure I asked you if anything was going on a couple of times and you always denied. I mean, is it that you don't trust me?"

"Of course I trust you... I guess I was just trying to convince myself that nothing was going on. It's all really humiliating plus I didn't want you to think less of me for it"

"Ellie, I've been working with you for a while now. I think I've already established that you're a pretty awesome person. This is nothing, I just wish you didn't feel like you had to keep it a secret from me", Rosie shrugged

"Oh Rosie", I let out a sigh of relief and reached out to hug her. I was so glad she didn't hate me. "I'm sorry"

She hugged me back and then we pulled apart.

"Okay, so what are we going to do now?" Rosie inquired

"About?" I raised a brow at her

"About Noah duh, you guys obviously have it bad for each other", Rosie quipped and I blushed.

"Has everyone forgotten about the part where Noah has a girlfriend of four years?" Maya supplied to this absurd conversation

"Yeah, a girlfriend who looks and behaves like the perfect angel on the outside, but on the inside, she's as cold and soulless as it gets", Rosie said

"Noah must love her, though. They've been together for so long", I said quietly

"I've known those two as a couple longer than you have. That manipulative witch has Noah wrapped about her little finger, he can't leave her because he believes he owes her or something", Rosie explained to us "And believe me, many have tried"

"That's the thing, I'm not trying and I don't want to try. Besides, I'm with Rob now", I folded my arms against my chest while Maya rolled her eyes.

"I thought that was a casual reconnecting thing?" Rosie raised her brow at me

"Well I've made up my mind to be official with him", I said and both Rosie and Maya made faces "What? I thought you liked him, Rosie"

"I do like him but anyone within a ten mile radius can see you're not really into the guy"

"Ughhhh", I groaned, slumping down on one of the chairs. This conversation was wearing me out "My life is a mess. What do I do?"

"You know what, Ellie?" Rosie came to sit down beside me "I believe in fate and I believe that you'll end up with whoever you're supposed to end up with".

Maya coughed. "Noah" and I shot her a look.

"Oh, Rosie I sure hope you're right"

Fate.

I would have to let fate lead the way because at this point, I was too exhausted to do anything but follow.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter wasn't particularly interesting, but this is just setting up the journey for Ellie. Will she end up with Noah? Will she end up with Rob? Lol. Please do keep on reading and sorry for the long wait. Hope you enjoy. Votes, comments and suggestions are always welcome xoxo.