Page 81 of Secret Bet

Jennifer said, "Don't believe me. That's fine. You can ask him yourselfabout the bet. We both know that Peter doesn't lie when confronted. He will make a plan to ensure that his wayultimatelywins."

A month. Now that the question was out there, she'd ask. She had wondered why a man like Peter Morgan would ever talk to her at that party or why he insisted they spend time together. She'd been in such a dark cloud and rude. Now he spent all his timewithher.

She swallowed and turned toward Jennifer, who stared at her like a cat that let its prey wander the cage. "When did the bet supposedlystart?"

Jennifer waited and let the sounds of harps fill the air. "So you arecurious."

Belle swallowed and hugged her waist. "Forgetit."

Jennifer sighed. "At the rehearsal dinner, the moment youarrived."

There was no time forthat. This had to be a lie. Belle's shoulders straightened for the moment. "He came to speak to me within minutes of myarrival."

Jennifer picked up her glass and played with the rim. "True. Most of the bet was decided before they found the girl he had to date. When you walked in, you becamethegirl. I tried towarnyou."

Footsteps echoed in the hall. Belle's heart beat fast. Thena masseuse dressed in white came in. Belle silently prayed she was Katarina. Then the woman nodded at Jennifer andthenher.

"Ms. Jordan, it's time for yourappointment."

Belle bounced to her feet. It was time to go. This wastoomuch.

She didn't say goodbye, but then Jennifer called out, "Oh have fun. Katarina is a miracleworker."

In the hallway, away from the waitingroom, Belle kept her voice low as she followed the masseuse. "Katarina, is there a way you can work out the kinks caused from talking toJennifer?"

The woman nodded her head. "Oh yes, absolutely, miss. I have experience. Don't let whatever she said get in your brain.Relax."

Easier said than done. The bet sounded worse and worse. It explained his interest. She knew she should haveasked for details, but his mother had returned from the dead. She rubbed her temples as she lay on the table. She tried to closehereyes.

"That's just it. Everything she just said, I think it mightbetrue."

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