Page 69 of Secret Bet

As they strolleddown a street named Miracle Mile, Belle held open the door for her friend. She stepped into the blast of air conditioning and released herbreath.

Em said, “Too bad the boys thought shopping toogirly.”

"Em, have you ever dated a guy whogave you butterflies in yourstomach?"

She winked. "I only date men who candothat."

Her face felt warm. "I've only dated two men in my life. My high school boyfriend lasted into college. Then when I joined the Marines, I met Colt, and we dated untilrecently."

Em picked up a dress and then put it down. "And now you're on the cover of newspapers as the woman that might tameMr.Monopoly."

She flinched. "I told you to stop callinghimthat."

"Fair enough, though I bet your Peter would be sexy even in a top hat and carryingacane."

"Maybe he would." She crossed her arms as she flitted to another dress. "But Peter is not aboardgame."

"What ishethen?"

"Sweet."

Em's voice became droll. "This is how you are constantly in arelationship, isn't it? You always only see the good in the guyyou'rewith."

She dropped her hands to the side. "Em, what are you talkingabout?"

She glanced in the mirror and not at her. "All the guys we're friends with are friends because you compliment them, ask them about their families. Now you're getting one of the richest, most powerful men under your spell, and you don'teven see itthatway."

Belle plopped her hands to her sides. "I am justbeingme."

Em shook her head but then went to study the dress she held. "I just hope that one day some guy who gives me those good flutters in the stomach finds me half as goodasyou."

She placed her hand on Em's wrist. "Em, you're not making anysense."

She slammed the hanger back on the rackwith the dress on it. "Look, I truly only want you to be happy. Then one day you can teach me how youdoit."

A new man was something to be happy about. She licked her lips and steered her friend toward the door. "Let's try to have fun. What are weshoppingfor?"

The bright sunshine never stopped here. Eighty degree weather for Christmas felt strange. She motioned for them to entera small bookstore as Em answered, "Something for my parents to make themlesssad."

Now Belle felt horrible. She held her breath. "You didn't have to come to the wedding or stayintown."

Em shook her head and stared at the touristy stuff. "Mom's cancer isn't going away, and she wanted me to go. I promised her I'd behomesoon."

Belle exhaled and stepped closer to her friendto whisper, "Cancer sucks. It's how my mom died when I was a kid. If I can doanything..."

"You already do." Em kept her gaze down and didn't move. "Keep her in your prayers and thoughts. I'm hoping Mombeatsit."

Belle placed her hand on Em's shoulder, but Em swatted her away. "Of course. I hope your mom survives. She'slovely."

She shrugged and dropped her hands to her sides."Yes, Mom'sgreat."

Belle held up a horribly cheesy Miami coffee mug and placed it back on the shelf. "Then we better get started on ourmission."

"Whatmission?"

She gazed at Em, who studied her. "To get your mom things that will cheerherup."

"Mom wants me to be happy more thananythingelse."

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