“Guys! Come on! Tell me! What’s going on?” Marcy pouted as she spotted the furtive glances and nervous laughs surrounding her.

“It seems…” Holly began to tell the tale. “Well…it seems Anna here went and got herself engaged.” Anna forced a smile.

“Congratulations! Oh my god…Anna, that’s great. Isn’t it?” Marcy asked, looking slightly lost. “Why aren’t we all jumping up and down and celebrating? Aren’t we happy about this?”

“Yeah, I am. It’s great.” Anna finally felt relieved. Someone was reacting the way friends were supposed to, the way she’d hoped they all would.

***

James

They circled the car like a lion circled its prey. They were beyond impressed and over-awed. It was obvious they were envious of James’s pride and joy. His V8 ice silver Audi Spyder put a smile on everyone’s face and a jealous sparkle in their eyes. Everyone was practically drooling. It was a dream car but James was the lucky one with the keys in his pocket.

“Dude! This is a hot car!” Matt exclaimed.

“How fast?” Rick questioned.

With a beep James unlocked the car, and without waiting for an invitation, Grant slipped silently into the driver’s seat. The black leather interior gleamed under the street lights and James couldn’t restrain the wide grin that consumed his face as he watched the guys surround him and salivate over his toy.

“It goes okay. Zero to one hundred in four point two seconds.” James smirked nonchalantly.

“Fuck yeah!” Grant bellowed, climbing out of the car. But not everyone was as impressed by James’s choice of transportation. It seemed Johnny too had questions, but they had nothing to do with the Audi.

“So, what’s the go? Why propose to Anna?” Johnny asked, leaning casually against the car. It would have seemed like a typical male question between friends but these guys weren’t friends. These were people James had just met and right now he wasn’t sure he liked any of them.

“Why does anyone get married? I love Anna. That’s all. She’s the one I want to spend my life with.” James was being extremely diplomatic, which he had plenty of practice at. Over the years James had gotten used to the fact he had to watch what he said. He had been told a million times it was just one of the drawbacks of ‘being known.’

“But Anna? Seriously? I’ve seen pictures of you hanging out with actresses and models, yet you’re marrying Anna?” Johnny asked, genuinely bewildered. “Let’s face it, she isn’t exactly hot and she is…well, you know…a bit on the chunky side. Maybe it’s me, man, but…you have really nice taste in cars but you need help.” Johnny didn’t even attempt to hide his distaste.

James bit his lip and swallowed his argument. James smiled as he thought wait until you see what is under that coat. Sliding into the driver’s seat and revving the engine seemed to bring the discussion about Anna to a halt. Rick jumped in and flipped the others off as James and Rick tore through the car park, leaving the others to make the trek on foot.

Moments later they pulled into the parking lot. James killed the ignition before he and Rick headed towards the door. The girls had managed to beat them and were waiting out the front for them. Anna stood surrounded by women as if she were the last cake at a bakery. She was fielding questions from Marcy, who appeared as though she actually approved. Without thought or hesitation, James sauntered over to where they were and took his position beside her.

“Marcy, I’d like you to meet my fiancé, James.” Anna grinned as she reached out and wrapped her arm around his waist, pulling him close.

“Oh my god!” Marcy had lost control of her mouth and was just blurting out strange noises. Eventually she managed to splutter out, “Hi…congratulations.”

The bouncer quickly checked their identification and after James signed an autograph for his son, they made their way upstairs. James insisted it was time for Anna to take off the jacket. It took him a moment, but James managed to summon up three pretty acceptable reasons. “Anna, it will be so hot on the dance floor you’ll certainly overheat. As hot and stuffy as it is in here, I don’t want you getting sick. Besides, you look fucking hot. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I promise, I’m the only one who will be watching you.” He smiled at her. The third reason James knew he would never speak aloud. It was purely selfish. He wanted everyone to shut up once and for all and stop judging the woman who would be his wife. He knew this was the perfect revenge.

“If I have to. But I just want you to know, I’m only doing this for you,” Anna gave up reluctantly, shrugging out of her coat.

The others were already on the dance floor showing off their very funky dance moves. James went to get a drink but sent Anna ahead of him. Edging around the corner of the bar, she spotted them. They were in the middle of the crowded dance floor. Nervously she made her way over.

***

Anna

The whole place had the overpowering stench of thick cigarette smoke. Anna thought she would die of lung cancer if she inhaled. The floor was sticky from all the spilt drinks. Tiny shards of glass stuck out of the carpet and embedded themselves into shoes. The club was crowded and everyone seemed to be talking so loud that Anna couldn’t even hear herself think. A group of sad, old men were sitting off to one side gathered around a pool table that had seen better days. As she passed them she could feel their beady eyes on her. “That one is a definite nine out of ten,” Anna heard one of the drunks mumble.

She tapped Daniel on the shoulder so he would step back and make some room for her to fit into the group. He spun around and saw Anna for the first time. His eyes instantly doubled in size as he appreciated the view. Struggling to form actual words, he managed to mumble, “Wow!’ The others looked up and did a double take. The shy, little chunky girl had vanished and left in her place a stunning, confident, and happy Anna.

She wore a short, black, pleated skirt; her black leggings only emphasised the length of her shapely legs. Her top was a strapless, blue sequin top that didn’t quite reach the top of her skirt, leaving her taut midriff exposed. Her long hair was a mass of loose brown spirals, flowing halfway down her back. Anna’s fresh innocent face was set off by a sexy smile that acted as the centrepiece. And for the first time since the unexpected reunion with her friends her smile reached her eyes. Anna’s bubbling confidence was overflowing. She looked like sex on legs and she knew it. But she didn’t act as if she was better than anyone else. Those people who had criticised and ostracised her through her school years were now in total awe of her miraculous transformation. Anna had truly been converted from an ugly step-sister to a beautiful princess. And with James as her knight in shining armour standing proudly beside her, the picture was complete.

“Anna…you look so…fucking hot,” Matt spluttered, still struggling to form a coherent sentence. At that moment two long, warm, and muscled arms slid around her waist. James was there.

“Hey! Don’t even think about it. She’s mine.” James laughed, spinning her around to face him.

Anna quickly forgot about everyone else and became transfixed on James. But Anna could tell instantly something wasn’t quite right. His eyes darted around above her, scouring the crowd. Although she wasn’t sure what he was worried about, Anna prayed she hadn’t done something wrong. Her worst fears played out in her mind and she was terrified she had somehow embarrassed him.

“James? What’s wrong?” Anna queried nervously, looking up into his face.

His jaw was clenched and Anna’s stomach lurched. Sighing heavily, James leaned down and whispered into her ear, “You know, everyone in this room is looking at you, thinking how absolutely incredible you look.”