Chasing Alana

24 | Downhill

"Would you like something to drink, Ms. Sommers?"

Alana turned around to see a petite sales assistant standing next to her. She seemed to look at everything but directly at Alana, making the pop star wonder if she was really that intimidating.

"We— um, have a selection of wines, beers, or if you would like, I can always go down to the store to get you anything you'd like to drink," the sales assistant stammered shyly, again, not meeting Alana's eyes.

"I'm alright, thank you, Sarah."

The sales assistant blushed as the pop star thanked her by the name. She quickly scurried away, moving onto her next task in the shop.

Alana turned back to the display in front of her. The beautiful white fabric felt like silk under her touch as she continued to browse the wedding dresses hanging on the rack. Not that she was looking for her own wedding dress— it was far too soon. But she couldn't help but smile softly at the thought that perhaps this could be her dress one day.

It didn't seem so impossible for her now.

"So, you're telling me you and my brother have been together for what? A few weeks now, and I'm only finding out about this now?"

Marianne's voice could be heard from across the small wedding boutique. Alana was sure everyone in the shop had heard what Marianna had practically shouted, even though they were the only ones there anyways, having booked the entire shop to themselves for a private dress fitting.

Elle's head peaked over from behind one of the racks, not even trying to conceal her snickering.

"I believe I just won myself 20 bucks from each of you ladies," Elle held her hand out with a shit-eating grin on her face. "Pay up girls."

From behind her, Alana watched as Aurora sighed in disappointment, having lost whatever bet they had made. With one arm holding baby Ayla in her arms, she reached into her purse with her other hand and pulled out a Louis Vuitton wallet, one that Xavier had bought for her. Pouting, she handed the 20 dollars to Elle, who looked way too giddy receiving a mere 20 bucks compared to the millions she makes from releasing music.

"I'll hand you the money later," Marianne muttered loudly enough for the girls to hear.

Alana gave her friends a pointed look. "I can't believe you guys bet on whether or not Asher and I getting together."

"Ah, ah— that's not what we bet on," denied Marianne, sounding like she was struggling with the dress behind the curtains. "We bet on when you'd finally give into your feelings and finally forgive my dumbass brother."

"She's sugarcoating it," corrected Elle, tucking the 20 dollars into her own Chanel purse. "We bet on when you were going to finally give into your feelings and start fucking her brother."

"Elle!"

The girls' voices echoed throughout the shop as they each sent their friend a pointed look.

"What?" Elle looked at them with complete confusion. "Same thing."

Alana brought a hand to her forehead, shaking her head as Aurora quickly covered her daughter's ears, not that Ayla would even understand— she was only a couple of months old.

Marianne stuck her head out from behind the curtain, sending Elle a glare. "That's my brother we're talking about here."

"I'm just saying what we were all thinking..." pouted Elle, before grinning like a madman. "I bet a month. Cameron and the boys bet half a year— and you know what that means? 20 from each of them."