Page 2 of Secret Bet

Sophie mumbled something else, but Belle's phone began to ding with multiple text messages. She hung up on her stepmother and read hertexts.

‘Sawyou pass. Come intoAndrew'sPub.'

‘Belle, we want toseeyou.'

None of the former crew of her favorite Marines were in the service anymore. They all planned to fly out tomorrow, for Colt'swedding.

She gazed up at her dark window. All that waited for her at home was the internet and some movie shepickedout.

She pursed her lips. Perhaps one drink with her old crewwouldn't be the end of the world. She'd tell everyone to have agoodtime.

She clutched her phone in her hand and decided to pop in without amessage.

Arock version of "Silent Night"that someone must have attempted during karaoke clung in the air. Someone's feet stomped from the stage as Belle walked past. Then she saw Emily Fletcher, her perky best friend, as she sat withthree other former Marines. All four of them had flights in the morning to Miami. All of them were off to wishColtwell.

"Someone order me aGuinness."

Em sucked in her breath. "Belle, we thought you wereavoidingus."

Next time she'd start slower, and she'd never again date a guy she needed to fix. She never should have asked Colt outyearsago.

She sat on the barstool and faked a smile. "How could I ignore the texts that offered to buy me afreebeer?"

The intake of breath rang in her ears. Then Em said, "Come with us toMiami."

No. Belle lifted her head and waved at the bartender. "I don't doChristmas."

She ordered the drink and turned to her friends. "I'll befinehere."

"You'll bealone."

Another voice piped in frombehind Emily's. "Belle, you were both ourfriends."

James Harrington handed the bartender money as he slipped the beer in front ofBelle.

She licked her lips. "We're both still your friends. It's just that he's marryingsomeoneelse."

"Belle, we all knew he loved and lost his Victoria," James said. "He called out her name countless times in thesandbox."

Belle's entirebody froze. It was true. At night, when Colt slept, he had called out for Victoria. He had never said her name. She had lived with that for years, and had only thought she helped his brokenheart.

Perhaps it was time to be an adult. If she wanted to be sure that she could live without Colt, then she should see this through to the end. A plan came to her. The plane ticket for the weddingwas in her pocketbook. Miami was warm, sunny, and perhaps with friends nearby, she could be a better person. She chuggedherbeer.

"You, Em, and the others will have my back if I gowithyou?"

"Of course." James patted her on the back and took the seat nexttoher.

She lifted her glass as she sucked in her breath. "Even if I break down into tears and need someone to get meatissue?"

"You never cry, Belle. You're still a Marine and wouldn't break downlikethat."

Belle stopped and stared at herself in the mirror behind the bar. Her frizzy brown hair and plain Jane face would make someone like Colt choose someone else. Perhaps her stepmother was right that she was toomasculine.

She hid her chin, which trembled with another gulp. She'd neverwanted to be a pretty face with nothing in between her ears. She swallowed. "I will try not to cry. I don't hate him, and I don't want anyone who doesn't love me back. I should go to this wedding and make mypeace."

"This is last minute. Areyousure?"

She took a deep breath and gulped her beer. "Maybe it will be healthy for me. Cleansing almost, so I canletgo."

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