Living Without A Heart

Just A Business Arrangement

Weeks had gone by since Alice's birthday retreat. She and FP had only spoken in person once when they bumped into each other at Pop's but they had been texting a lot- only as friends but it was better than nothing at all. Hal had been making her arrange the wedding with him and she did help, it was probably the only wedding she would ever have. She had something to prove- she wanted to prove that she hadn't made a mistake; of course she knew she had, but other people didn't need to know that! The invites had been sent out, seating plans drawn, music chosen, rings bought, and outfits too.

Alice had been hiding from the wedding by spending yet another night at the Riverdale Register, sitting in the dark with just her laptop screen to provide the light. She was working on an article with the help of a bottle of rosé. Mary's name popped up on her screen and she accepted the call.

"Hey Mary"

"Hiya Alice, did I wake you?"

"No,no- I'm not even at the house!" she slurred.

"It's like three am, where are you?"

"Home- no work! I meant work..."

"Alice? Are you drunk again?"

"No course not!"

"It's Monday night,"

 "Technically it's Tuesday morning,"

"That makes it worse!" Mary reprimanded.

"Stop shouting! I'm doing my work, plus Hal is home..." she pouted.

"Alice you're getting married to him in a month!"

"Ugh! don't remind me."

Although Alice couldn't see Mary she knew she was raising her eyebrows.

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Raise your eyebrows any higher and they'll get lost in your hair!"

"Alice it's not too late to-"

"-Yeah it is." she droned

"Have you spoken to FP lately?"

"You mean since we kissed?"

"You kissed!?"

"On my birthday?"

"Oh, I thought you meant you kissed again."

"No, we've been texting a bit but do you think he's still coming to the wedding?"

"Do you want him to?"

"I want him to be the one that I walk towards and say my vows to! Are you stilling coming to my hen night?"

"Yeah I am, course I am! Who else is coming?"

"Well my imbecile of a fiancé invited Gladys to that aswell so she's coming, Sierra and Hermione are also coming."

"Really? Why did she say yes!?"

"I think it's a case of keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer." she answered swilling the wine around her glass. 

"She sees you as a threat-"

"Good!"

"Alice!" Mary laughed.

"What? If she's worried that means she thinks I mean more than she does and that gives me a confidence boost!"

"Just behave yourself, don't drive whilst your drunk and I'll talk to you soon..."

"Yeah,yeah... This isn't my first rodeo!"

"Night Alice..."

"Night night Mary."