Page 49 of Breaking Rules

She pulls her shoulders back and breaks into a seductive smile. “What a nice surprise! Hey, Xander!”

“Hi…Cindy, right?”

“It’s so sweet of you to remember.” She juts out one hip, making her dress rise a little. “How are you?”

“Not bad.” I sneak a glance at Bella.

Across the table, the woman I can’t get my mind off watches the newcomer. She’s wearing that closed-off, distant expression again, and there isn’t a hint of a smile on her lips.

Fuck. This is the last thing I need when I’m trying to get Bella to trust me. This girl needs to leave.

I clear my throat and turn back to Cindy, eager to get the interaction over with. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m going out with my girls later. Figured I could use some caffeine first.” She bites her bottom lip and arches her eyebrow. “Any chance you wanna join?”

Wow. The blatant disregard for Bella is actually astounding. I hate when people are rude for no fucking reason.

“Sorry, no.” I plaster a smile onto my face. But my heart isn’t in it, so it probably looks like a grimace. “I’m actually busy.” I nod at Bella and pick up my espresso again.

The corners of Cindy’s mouth drop, but only for a heartbeat before she quickly smiles again. As if she’s just now noticing I’m not alone, she whips her head to Bella.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was so excited to see Xander, I forgot my manners.”

I have to hold back a snort. Does she really think either of us believes that?

“I’m Cindy.”

Bella’s expression remains neutral. “Hi.”

Cindy narrows her eyes, her lips thinning, as if she’s annoyed that Bella doesn’t introduce herself.

Why would she, after the way Cindy ignored her?

When Bella doesn’t give in, Cindy turns back to me. “I gotta run. Sorry for the intrusion. I hope to see you soon.” She turns, but before she makes it more than a step, she peers over her shoulder, wearing a calculated smile, and homes in on Bella. “Oh, by the way, tell your boyfriend Cindy said hi. I’m sure he remembers me.”

“My boyfriend?” Bella asks.

“Yeah. You’re Jake Miller’s girlfriend, aren’t you?” Cindy bats her eyelashes. “I recognized you right away.”

“Sorry, I can’t say the same.”

“Aw, that’s okay. I wouldn’t expect you to know who I am. Jake mentioned you’re a homebody, and we both know he’s quite the party animal.”

Bella smiles broadly, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Definitely.” She nods. “Goodbye, Cindy.”

“Bye,” Cindy mewls as she finally walks away, her heels clacking as she approaches the counter. A few minutes later, she’s gone, thank fuck. The ding of the bell announces her departure.

The whole time, Bella sits ramrod straight, her focus fixed on something behind me. The vacant expression on her face has goosebumps erupting all over my skin.

Suddenly, as if she’s a machine that has just been rebooted, she blinks and peers at me. “Do you mind if I go?”

“Are you okay?”

Standing, she smooths the front of her skirt. “Everything’s fine. I just want to call and get the vanity ordered.”

She slips her phone into her purse, then crouches in front of my dog and pets him gently.

“You’re such a good boy, Milo. I was really happy to see you. Bye, buddy.”

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