Page 58 of Tempt Me

“Oh, my God.” Bella’s face pales. “I’m so sorry, Dom.”

“I’m not.” I kiss her lips like we’re alone and we don’t have a care in the world.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Fifteen Minutes Later

Bella

Emily rushes through the door, dropping her purse on the end table and plowing through the room. When she sees me, she stops.

“What did he do?” Her breathing is ragged, as if she’s been running. Maybe I shouldn’t have messaged her and Ruby back when they texted me earlier. Emily’s hair is damp from her shower, and two bright spots cover her cheeks.

I stride across the floor and gasp her upper arms. “It’s okay. Nothing bad happened. It’s the same old thing. Brock got my number and started sending messages again.”

“How did he get your number?” Her eyes narrow into tiny slits as her muscles tense under my fingertips. “Did Dominic tell him? I can’t believe he’d stoop so low.” She shakes her head in disgust. “If he did, he’s a bigger prick than I thought. I mean, I always thought deep down he liked you, which was why he acted like a dumbass around you.”

“Stop.” I chuckle and roll my eyes. “Dominic didn’t tell him. I know that for a fact. Well…” I shrug. “I don’t know that for a fact.”

“Bella….” My mom’s voice is shrill as she joins us. “You know Dominic didn’t tell him. That’s ridiculous.”

“I know, Mom.” I step back and drop my arms to my sides. “I wasn’t done speaking. I was going to finish by saying that I didn’t ask him, but I trust him, which is why I didn’t bother asking him. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. The only possible explanation is that my new number showed up under a search of Dominic’s information, and somehow, Brock was smart enough to put two and two together.”

“The jerk probably searches all our names looking for new phone numbers. He’s a creep.”

I shiver as if a ghost walked over my grave. “He is.”

“Call Dominic.” My mom glances at her wrist. “They’ve had enough time to get close to Brock’s office and let him know we’re going.”

“Where’re we going?” Emily threads her fingers through her damp hair, twisting it into a ponytail. “You’re being mysterious. Why suddenly do you trust Dominic?”

“You didn’t hear?” Interesting. Where has my best friend been for the past fourteen hours?

“Hear what?”

“Dominic and Bella were all over each other at the game last night.” My mom snatches her purse off the dining room table and slips the strap up her shoulder. “And the night before, Brock was following Bella out of the bar, and Dominic punched him.”

“Three times,” I sigh as a wave of giddiness flows over me.

“Whoa.” Emily grabs my upper arms and glares daggers at me. “You and Dominic are together, and this is the first time I’ve heard of it. That’s what I get for taking an extra shift.” Her lipspurse together. “I should’ve begged for ambulance duty at the football game.”

“And she quit school and starts Cosmo in the spring. Apparently, she’s been keeping secrets from us all.” My mom wrinkles her nose. “I guess you probably knew that one, but at least I heard about Bella and Dominic being together before you did.”

“Mom,” I groan. “I’m not quitting school. I’m slowing down.”

“No.” She waves her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. I’ll wait for my grandchildren to love me.” She breezes through the room and twists the doorknob as she continues on with her previous rant. “Call, Dominic.”

Emily’s mouth hangs open before she snaps it back shut. “You did everything.” Her eyes dance with happiness.

“Yes.” I return her smile as a deep satisfaction settles over me. She and Ruby will take the credit for everything, but I don’t care. They were right. I was miserable, and I needed some major prodding to get my butt in gear.

“Listen to your mother, and call Dominic.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Your mom is dramatic.” Emily links her arm through mine. “But that’s why I love her. She’s a blast.” She hauls me to her chest and gives me a fierce hug. “I’m so proud of you and so happy, but I’ll never forgive you for keeping it a secret from me.”

“That’s why you and Ruby love her.” I drag my cell phone out of my pocket. “Because you’re all alike.”

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