Page 103 of Devoured

"I don't think you know him as well as you think."

Isabella leaned forward and raised her eyebrow. "Is that what he told you?"

"He didn't need to."

"I've known him since we were kids. I know him better than you ever will. And if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to my husband in private." She stood up.

"I think you should go,” Penny said.

That’s my girl.One of the reasons why I loved her. She was shy and sweet until suddenly she was fiery as anything.

Isabella laughed. "Penny, I'm doing you a favor. Trust me, you don't want anything to do with him."

"If he's as bad as you say, then why haven't you signed the papers?"

Isabella put her hand on top of the manila envelope. "I'm actually here to discuss that."

Penny just stared at the envelope.

"You look relieved. You shouldn't be. I can tell that you're just as addicted to him as he is to you. That would be sweet in any other situation, but not in this one."

Oh, fucking hell.

"What are you talking about?" Penny asked.

"He really hasn't told you?"

Why was Isabella such a bitch?

"Told me what?" Penny asked.

This was about what I’d expected. I was ready to come clean tonight to Penny. But this guaranteed it. This was what Penny had been asking me once Isabella left.

"I think you already know,” Isabella said. “You just don't want to believe it. Besides, James is bad at hiding his shortcomings."

"We love each other. That's all that matters."

Damn right.

"How old are you, Penny?"

I shook my head. Isabella already knew the answer to this. She was just being a bitch.

"Right. You're young. You don't know what love is. Have you ever even been in a serious relationship before? Can you even tell when someone is lying to you?"

"He's not lying to me."

"Withholding information is just as bad as lying. It's something that you should know. You did that to him, did you not?"

How the hell does Isabella know all this?

Penny glanced at the bedroom door again. Begging me to wake the fuck up. “If James didn't talk to you about me..."

"He has his sources and I have mine," Isabella said, cutting Penny off. "So how about you get to class. What I need to discuss with him is none of your business."

"It is my business."

Isabella sighed. "Remember that I tried to warn you. But fine, we'll do this your way. "James!" she called. "James, get the hell up!"

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