Page 25 of Secret Bet

"You didn't even want to come to this wedding,"Emsaid.

"Iremember."

"You skipped out on theparty."

"Idid."

"And in twenty-four hours, you, mybest friend, become an international woman of mystery in all thenewspapers."

"What?"

"Why did you ruin yourdress?"

Belle picked up the bottom of the dress in the bag. It was still slightly wet and smelled now. "How didyouknow?"

She opened the door and held her breath as her friend said, "It's in my news feed and what people have asked me. You were apparently seenwearing Peter Morgan's clothes as you left hisyacht."

"He took me to dinner, and I fell in theocean."

"An unlikelystory."

"Yet thetruth.”

"I don't even believe you. You’re always steady and strong. And if I don’t buy that, no one elsewould."

Belle gazed at a two-floor suite with ceilings that appeared to have been hand painted. She went to one side and sawa balcony and a full view of all of whatever part of Miami she was in. She exhaled and ran to the other side of the suite. Yep. There was a second balcony. The spacious living room could have been made for the President of the UnitedStates.

She mumbled to her friend, "It's notimportant."

Em's voice was perky. "You're a disaster out for fun. You did look like you fell into the ocean.Did he fish you out or send aservant?"

"He was in the ocean already." The dolphin had seemed a private moment. She licked her salty lips. "We wentswimming."

"In yourdress?"

"Yeah, in my dress. I didn't have a swim suit, and he asked me." There was a baby grand piano near the dining room table. Belle fell onto the couch and covered her eyes. "This is too much. The dressdidn't cost nearlythismuch."

"What happened? What'stoomuch?"

She had landed in Oz. As she peeked through her fingers toward a closet, she gasped. "Peter said he'd take care of getting me a new dress. There are designer clothing boxes everywhere inmyroom."

She couldn't tell Em about this room too. She'dpinchher.

“What!” Instead her friend sounded wistful as shesaid, "Where are these jewels? We’re the same size. Before you send any back, savemeone."

No she wouldn't. She'd tell her to run. Belle stiffened in her seat and prepped for it. "Not jewels.Dresses."

"I got it the first time. I'm sure there is an extra one for me then. Why are you stressing overclothes?"

"I'm not. It's just strange. I agreed to be Peter Morgan's date tothiswedding."

"OMG.TheMr. Peter Morgan? I can’t believe you went out with him of all people. He’s the heir to the American dynasty who owns more money than the United States treasury. You have nothing in common. You’re not out for his money and don’t fit into that lifestyleatall."

“He can keep his money as far as I’m concerned.” Perhaps asking him to stand beside her was slightlytoo much. She had come here for closure, not to date though Em’s statement about her churned in her gut. She pushed her hair behindherear.

"Now that sounds like you. You're going on a date with Mr.Monopoly."

“Not exactly.” A chuckle escaped her lips. The image didn't fit. "He doesn't wear atophat."

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