Page 58 of Keeping Happily Ever After

“I’d like to release myself.”

“No!”

His mother clung to him, but Jeremy forced himself to look squarely at the doctor. He knew his body. He was fine. He’d taken a hit before. He’d be sore and have some aches and pains to be sure, but he’d recover. Physically. However, that wouldn’t be the case if he didn’t get to Bella and make sure she understood how much he loved her and would choose her over and over again no matter what.

That’s what was clear.

That’s what came to him while he’d been unconscious. It was all Bella. It was always all Bella.

Nothing mattered without her.

Not the fire chief position. Not living in Glacier Falls. Not…living.

Nothing.

It had been a full day and Bella had been successful with complete focus on the showcase.

Mostly.

Her thoughts had swayed a few times as she imagined Jeremy getting ready to accept his promotion. He’d look so handsome in his dress uniform. So proud. So strong.

Bella blinked and looked back to the mirror and her own reflection. She hardly recognized herself. Her long, dark hair had been styled into shiny black waves that fell elegantly down her bare back. The dress they’d finally settled on was an ivory, almost silver satin that both hugged her curves and draped elegantly.

She looked like a goddess and had never before felt so glamourous. She felt like a bombshell. And she was ready.

Bella took another minute to look at herself in the mirror.

She’d already walked the red carpet. It was a lot different than she’d imagined and almost surreal as cameras flashed all around her. She’d posed and smiled and walked just the way she’d been coached. There’d been no questions. Those would come later. After the showcase. So after her brief walk, she was back in her changing room for a few minutes of silence and calm before she hit the stage.

A sharp knock on the door, followed by Steph bursting into her dressing room, startled her.

“Bella. I need to…oh, wow. You look…wow.”

“I could say the same.” She turned and grabbed her friend’s hands. They’d put Steph in a black, sequined gown. The contrast of her red hair against the dark, shimmery fabric was startlingly gorgeous.

But Steph wasn’t smiling. Her lips, painted a bold red to contrast with her dress, were set into a frown.

“What’s wrong?”

“Have you heard from anyone today?”

Bella shook her head. Her phone was still safely in her dresser drawer in her hotel room.No distractions.But something in her friend’s face told her that maybe she should have had her phone.

“What’s going on?”

“Five minutes, ladies.” Bryan popped his head into the dressing room. “You both look stunning. Ready to go?”

Steph nodded and gave him a sweet smile. “Just give us one minute, Bryan?”

A flicker of worry crossed his face, but he nodded. “But just one. I need you both on set.”

“Don’t worry, Bryan. We’ll be there.” Steph’s voice was calm and soothing. Rehearsed.

Bella almost forgot the look that had been on her friend’s face a moment earlier. A look that had been anything but calm and soothing.

As soon as Bryan left, Stephanie turned around and took Bella by the hands. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you this or not. But then…well, I know I’d want to know.”

Her heart had already stopped and once again stuttered to life at Stephanie’s first words. Something was wrong.Verywrong.

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