Page 1 of The Bitter Rival

CHAPTERONE

Isabella

“Here’s to a much-needed girls’ night, Bella. Cheers.”

Clinking our frosty margarita glasses in celebration of an overdue girls-only evening, I take a much-anticipated sip of my drink and smile at my sister over the salty rim. “Oh, Bailes, I really needed this. The only thing I need more is a little hot and dirty. But if I can’t find a man, I’ll happily accept the next best thing.”

“Ha. Well, given my poor history with the male population, I haven’t completely ruled out women. However, sleeping with you might be taking it a step too far.” She giggles. “I know you’re juggling a lot with school and your internship, but we need to put a stake in the ground, B. Girls’ night is mandatory from here on out. It’s been way too long,” she shouts over the dance music behind us.

Growing up in a big family, we rarely enjoy time alone. Bailey, the youngest of my three siblings, is also the loudest. She’s never been treated like thebaby of the family; that could be because our older brothers looked out for the two of us equally. Dominic and Damian, along with our cousin, Donovan, watched over us like they were self-appointed bodyguards. We grew up knowing we had their protection, whether we wanted it or not. Needless to say, dating was not easy. Prospective suitors needed to pass inspection from each of the ‘Potter Boys’ before being granted access to us. Bailey and I have worked hard to keep our relationships private, out of the scrutiny of our overbearing family.

“Oh, I love this song. Come on, Bella, please?” Bailey begs, grabbing my arm as she wiggles her hips toward the dance floor. As “Wobble” by V.I.C. begins to play, we squeeze through the many patrons on the small dance floor of this downtown club to find a spot big enough for the two of us to move. Normally, this go-to club is a favorite, even if the clientele seems to get younger and younger. The atmosphere is eclectic, the bartenders hot to peruse between drinks, and the music is always good.

Richmond, Virginia, wasn’t always a huge town for tourists. Yet, in recent years the amount of travelers has picked up. It has started to develop a name for itself amongst foodies, with all of the new restaurants popping onto the scene. Even Guy Fieri has visited with several eateries starring on hisDiners, Drive-ins, and DivesFood Network show. But this weekend has become quite crowded with the Richmond Bike Race in full swing. The central Virginia area is rich with outdoor activities this time of year between cycling, BMX, the Flying Squirrels double-A baseball team, outdoor festivals, and hiking and boating along the James River. Quite honestly, it’s hard to know how many of this club’s current patrons are local or out-of-town trekkers to the city.

I watch as my little sister swings her arms over her head with wild abandon to the rhythmic beat of the music. Bailey’s such a free spirit. She’s the creative sibling while my older brothers joined the fire academy, and Donovan, went to medical school, Bailey pursued a career in art. She was accepted into Virginia Commonwealth University’s competitive art program and has continued to cultivate her talent.

I’m the late bloomer to higher education. I’d embraced domestic bliss after graduation, supporting my young husband in his pursuit of a medical degree. It wasn’t until I turned thirty-four when post-high school instruction became a priority. Although attending college and managing my home responsibilities has been difficult, I’m proud of all I’ve accomplished. Even if that means Bailey and I haven’t had many opportunities for a night out.

Taking in the contagious smile on my sister’s pretty face, I feel a warmth in my chest. I’m proud of her. Proud of us. She, much like myself, has been single for a long while. While I’ve spent the last twelve years a divorcée, my younger sister has admittedly not foundThe One. Watching this willowy, brown-eyed beauty spin and sway before me, fills me with pride. She’s protected her heart. While she’s dated her fair share of men, she’s not settling. She’s awaitingThe man God created just for her. I’d given up on that notion long ago. Yet, I still miss the company of an attractive man, particularly when I lie alone in my bed, night after night.

As if cupid has been on standby, I hear a masculine voice over the thumping base behind me. “Hi. Would you like to dance?”

I glance over my shoulder, and a tall man with closely trimmed brown hair stands a foot away from me, staring at me with a hopeful look in his brown eyes, framed by wire rim glasses. As I turn to acknowledge his presence and hopefully let him down easily, I reassess his physique. He’s not what most would describe as tall yet, at my petite five-foot-three frame, everyone appears to tower over me. He’s not unattractive, but this is a girls’ night, and he’s clearly not female.

“Hi,” I shout over Post Malone’s sultry styling. “I’m here with my sister.” I point my thumb over my shoulder before turning back to her.

I watch as Bailey shrugs her shoulders, questioning the interruption, but I have no time to fill her in before the relentlessly needy dancer pushes for more.

“Can I buy you a drink?” His voice is a little closer now.

“I already have one, thanks.” I toss my rejection his way before turning my back to him.Please take the hint, buddy. I inch a bit closer to Bailey, hoping the closer proximity will offer protection from any further interruption. Rolling my eyes at her in frustration with his unwanted persistence, I suddenly feel a hand on my elbow.For fuck’s sake.

Spinning on my heel, ready to give him a piece of my mind, I stop in my tracks. There’s no disputingthisman is tall. He’s tall, dark, and holy hell is he handsome.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he offers before sliding his hand from my elbow to the small of my back, pulling me into him for a quick peck on the cheek.

Um, what?Stunned at the change in scenery, I try to play this cool. Leaning back, I take in the rogue before me. He must be the most attractive male specimen I’ve ever seen in the flesh. His dark brown hair is styled to perfection, and as I gaze into his piercing deep blue eyes, I notice a spark of humor. There’s a trace of a five o’clock shadow on his square jaw that commands attention—and that deep dimple is hard to miss, even under the slight facial hair.. He’s an imposing presence, not due to his height or attractiveness, but the air of superiority rolling from his confident stance.

“I’m sorry, man. This one’s taken,” he directs to the ever-persistent male who still lingers on the dance floor.

Glancing to the menace who’s volleying between us for clues, I watch as he turns and walks toward the bar without another word.

“Thank you,” I utter quietly in the direction of the gorgeous man. He’s wearing an expensive gray suit and crisp white shirt. The top buttons are undone, revealing tantalizing bronzed skin and just a hint of dark chest hair.

“Don’t thank me,” he replies. “I’m kicking myself for letting that guy slither over before I could get the nerve to talk to you.”

Unable to help myself, I roll my eyes at this statement. Like this guy would ever need to ‘get the nerve’ to talk to anyone. I hope he doesn’t think I’m falling for that line.

“Awe, come on. You need to dance with me, at least. To keep up the rouse.” He winks.

Craning my neck toward the bar, I notice the man in question has already found a new source of entertainment. “I don’t think that’s necessary.” I point a finger in the gentleman’s direction, making my point he’s completely forgotten about me. I rotate slightly and realize Bailey has slipped back to our table. “Thanks again,” I acknowledge before heading in her direction.

“Really? Not even one dance?”

I stop in my tracks, trying to come up with some clever anecdote when it dawns on me.Why am I in such a hurry to distance myself from the hottest man I’ve ever encountered?Everything about this attractive man screams ‘Run.’ But it’s just one dance. I spin on my heel and look up at him.God, he’s one tall drink of water.“Okay, one dance then.”

His expression shifts from a seductive smirk to a warm grin. His bright blue eyes twinkle in my direction, like constellations painted across a clear, dark sky. They could easily hypnotize me if I wasn’t distracted by that flirty dimple sending me morse code. Not wasting any time, he steps forward and wraps his strong arms around my back, pulling me into him. An immediate hum begins to stir in my belly.Just one dance, Bella.

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