I Hosted My Fiancé's Wedding to His Best Friend

Edward's expression softened seeing me own up to my faults. "It's good that you understand. I grew up together with Winnie and the others. We don't see each other as men and women. They're all my buddies. It won't affect what we have.

"Besides, everything she said last night was just a joke. If it really bothers you, I'll tell her to tone it down in the future."

I forced a smile on my face. Winnie's phone call came before I could even reply.

She said, "How much longer do you want me to wait for you, pup? I've already finished all the snacks in your car!"

Edward quickly stepped out. "I'm heading down now."

Looking at his retreating back, I pulled out my phone to check the texts from my friends' group chat.

"It's always good to uncover infidelity before the wedding!"

"How do you plan to execute your revenge? A word from you, and we'll immediately step in!"

I smiled before replying, "There's no rush. He's still going to take his role as the groom. Don't tarnish his noble reputation as Dr. Fowler."

…

Their banter never stopped throughout the journey.

Winnie stepped out of the passenger seat upon our arrival at the bridal shop. She then pointed at my custom wedding gown and said over her shoulders, "You have great taste, pup. This wedding dress is stunning. Let me try it on!"

The attendant was stunned, instinctively glancing over to me.

However, Edward walked in, looking amused. "Didn't you always say you hated dresses? That wearing one felt like wearing nothing at all?"

"This is different from any dresses—it's a wedding dress. Just tell me if you'd let me try it on or not!" Winnie said.

"Fine, fine. How could I say no when the little devil herself asked?" Edward waved the attendant over.

She reluctantly took down the wedding dress and led Winnie into the fitting room.

Only then did Edward seem to remember my presence. "Winnie's seen herself as one of the guys ever since she was young. She's never planning on getting married, so just let her have a little fun over it. Don't worry, she knows her limits. The wedding dress is still yours in the end."

My fingers dug into my palms inside the pocket, but I remained calm. "It's fine. She can wear it for a little longer if she likes it."

Edward wasn't expecting me to be so compliant. He frowned.

Just then, Winnie shouted for him from inside the fitting room. "Get in here and zip me up, pup! I can't reach the back!"

Edward started to make his way over without hesitation.

I stopped him. "Edward."

Standing in the middle of the room, Edward looked back slightly, but his body was still angled toward the fitting room. "What's wrong?"

I quietly studied his distracted profile. After a while, I pointed at the side and said, "Get her to try on the veil too. It'll look better if she wears the whole set."

Edward's eyes lit up as he picked up the veil and walked into the fitting room.

Soon enough, the attendant slipped out awkwardly, leaving behind the bickering sounds from inside.

"Take it easy! Are you trying to kill your buddy?" Winnie said.

Edward replied, "Not my fault you're so skinny. The laces still have gaps even when pulled tight."

Winnie retorted, "Cut the crap! Stop stepping on my train, pup!"

It quickly got quiet inside the fitting room. I sat down near the entrance of the bridal shop and started doing my own work.

After about two hours, Winnie finally got changed back into her own T-shirt and jeans. Her face was red as she walked out.

Edward's hair was somewhat tousled. He followed behind her and quickly told me, "We'll be out tonight. Head home and rest up once you're done adjusting the size. Don't let tomorrow's ceremony get delayed."

I smiled slightly and replied, "Okay."

I watched the car pull away. Then, I heard the attendant's surprised gasp from inside the fitting room. "Wait, how did the bodice tear like this? This wedding dress is entirely hand-stitched, Ms. Hudson. There's no way we can remake this in time! What do we do?"

I didn't look up, not wanting to see the ruined wedding dress with my own eyes.

I merely picked up my phone and said, "It's okay. Just wrap it up and have it delivered to this address tomorrow."