Page 34 of Secret Bet
Chapter10
The trio of hair,makeup and clothes all rushed out of her room at quarter to eight. The red Valentino dress she wore might cost more than a few months' paychecks. The Christmas-themed wedding meant she could wear this vibrant color. She had skipped the prom back in highschool, so this was her bigmoment.
She let out a giggle as she gazed out her balcony to the white lights that circled palm trees. The night air still had a tinge of warmness to it, and she stared into the distance at the waterfall and the party of people who drank on a patio with jazz music that floated to her window. Whoever those people were, they seemed to behavingfun.
As shemade her way inside, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She stepped closer to truly see what had happened to her. Her once frizzy mop of hair was now smooth, and she almost seemed glamorous. Julia Robert's dress inPretty Womanseemed so old fashioned compared to the gown Belle now modeled. The most surprising thing of all, though, was how the makeup didn't change her entirely. Bellesaw a glimpse of herself, but all the skin flaws she sported everydayweregone.
She glanced at the time. Peter would be here soon. She rushed to get her phone and wish Em a Merry Christmas. She hoped she liked the selection of dresses she had sent, but she had never called toconfirm.
The phone rang and a moment later, Em said, "Belle, can I keep all ofthese?"
"Yeah, Iguess."
Emsquealed.
Belle sent a selfie through the phone and bitherlip.
A moment later Em said, "Oh my goodness. You will steal the bride'sthunder."
She backed into the wall. "I shouldchangethen."
"Don't you dare. She stole your fiancé and then invited you to witness it. Let him eat hisheartout."
Belle ran her hand over her hair. She didn't wantto knot anything and ensured her fingers didn't mess anything up toobadly.
"Colt loves Victoria. I don't hate people for following theirhearts."
"Even though it ripped yours out and then sent it through ablender?"
She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. "Did it? If it did, how did I winduphere?"
"You had me as your best friendforone."
Belle coveredher lips, but then whispered how she felt, "True. Em, my heart isracing."
"Why?"
The concern made her heartbeat echo louder. She closed her eyes. "'Cause Peter will be here in amoment."
"Your big date with the billionaire who is on track to be one of the firsttrillionaires?"
Her eyes widened, and she couldn't evenblink. "What?"
"I read aWall Street Journalarticle on him today. I'll come over for a selfie with you both. Don'tignoreme."
"I would never." Her stomach knotted. "And thanks for making mejitterier."
"Don't you dare. You look like you could handle a trillionairetonight."
A dress and a hair style didn't change who she was on the inside. Belle clenched her hands and leaned on atable.
"I'm afraud."
"No more than any other woman there tonight, hoping to catch hisattention."
She pushed herself off the table, and fumbled with her pocketbook. "Why am I doing this? I should be at the table with you andtheboys."
"Me and the boys will get a glimpse of you all dressed up. We're excited to see yourhotdate."
