Truly, Madly, Deeply

Chapter 32

"So that's when we decided that we'd have dinner tonight to talk about it," Ana explained to her friends with her face hidden in her hands.

"Are you sure you're ready to tell him?" Ariana asked her sister, leaning over her to make sure she was okay. A lingering hand rubbed patterns into her back.

After a moment of silence that felt like an eternity, Ana looked up and cried out, "No! I'm not ready to tell him! What do I do?!"

Lou sighed as she sat down on the edge of her bed on the other side of her distraught friend. "Do what's best for you."

"Modeling is your career and if you're serious about it, then do it! Niall will understand, I promise you. Modeling for Victoria's Secret is something girls dream about and they've offered you this contract...that's a once in a lifetime chance. You have to go, Ana...you have to."

"But Niall is the absolute love of my life! I just left him once because I was a stupid little brat, I can't just pack up and leave him again...I can't!"

"Hey, hey, calm down," Caroline intervened. "You'll figure it out. I've not known little Niall for as long as you, but I do know that he trusts you and he loves you. And if he has to make a long distance thing work, then that's what he'll do."

Ana wiped a single tear that was streaming down her cheek. She couldn't believe the mess that she had gotten herself in. How could she possibly choose between the one person she's ever truly loved and the job of her dreams?

"What am I going to do about this dinner tonight?"

"It's not big deal, just a dinner. Knowing you two, it'll probably be at some burger joint. Just tell Niall absolutely everything and come to a conclusion together, as a couple."

Ana nodded; Caroline was right. They'd get through this together. They always did.

>>

"All finished," Lou announced, smiling down at her finished product.

Ana looked into the mirror and smiled widely. "Oh my...wow! It looks amazing, thank you so much." Her hair was in an extravagant up-do with a beautiful braid on the side while her makeup was dark and mysterious, almost sexy.

"Anything for my little Ana Banana," Lou cooed, helping her out of the makeup chair she was previously sitting in. "Now, Caroline found the most perfect dress for -"

"Wait," Ana stopped them. "Didn't you guys say we should just go to a burger joint? I'm way too over dressed..."

"Ya, there's been a change in location."

"Well does Niall-"

"Yes, he knows, now stop asking questions. Anyway, Caroline found the most beautiful dress for you to wear tonight. It's classy, it's sophisticated, it's sexy as hell...just like you!"

Ana laughed out loud at the comparison just as Caroline appeared in the door frame. A black stunning, curve-hugging dress was lingering from a hanger in her hands.

Ariana gasped from her seat. "I'm jealous!"

Ana stared at it, stunned into complete silence. "It's...it's beautiful."

Caroline smirked. "It's just for you. Here." Without another word, she started peeling the dress out of the cover and off of the hanger. Ana slipped off her robe and stepped into the form-fitting dress. It made her curves look absolutely incredible.

"Wow."

"Holy..."

"Damn."

Ana blushed. "Does it look okay?"