Page 54 of Secret Bet
"What?"
She shrugged. "I came here because I wanted closure. I don't want to regret spending years of my life with a man who didn't love me. I'm worthfarmore."
He squeezed her hand."Yes,youare."
She shook her head. "I should have stayed with my friends, had a few beers, and never involved myself with the Morgan family. Going to the party alone was mymistake."
"Don't." His heartbeat quickened. "You are far more than a friend to me, and I don't want to pretendotherwise."
She licked her lips. "We all don't get what we want in life. We should give thepatients their envelopes, and then I'll head to the hotel,alone."
"I amsorry."
She grabbed his arm as they walked. "Good. Next time don't make a bet andjudgeme."
A second later Jennifer walked out of a hospital room, carrying the half-empty box. Clearly she had handed out more than a few. She returned and dropped the box onto the counter and stared rightathim.
"Oh look, you're back. I just finished handing out the gifts in this wing. Perhaps we can share the nexthallway?"
Belle opened her mouth and grabbed the box off the counter. "Peter, this is uptoyou."
Peter liftedhischin.
Jennifer didn't glance at Belle at all. He met her gaze and shookhishead.
Jennifer pouted, "I was just helping give charity to these people,like we have done for the past fewyears."
Belle's armscrossed.
Peter swallowed. "Jennifer, Belle and I want to do thisalone."
Jennifer glared at Belle. "Peter, you know underneath everything, I mean well. You told me you believedinme."
Belle's lips opened, but Peter stepped in front of her. "Jennifer, don't be rude with my new girlfriend. Belle deserves yourrespect."
Belle stilled just as Jennifer's mouth opened wide as she stared at him again. "Peter—"
He interrupted her. "My name is not an apology toBelle."
Jennifer lost all the coloring in her face, and her shoulders slumped. "Belle, I was unforgivably rude, and I interrupted more than I thought I would. Iapologize."
Belle lifted her chin. "It's fine. You wereilluminating."
Jennifer lowered her gaze and sashayed out ofthehall.
Neither of them said a word until she was out of sight. Then Belle handed him the box. "Peter, let's finish delivering the rest of these andthengo."
He followed her into the next room, carrying the box. At the door, Belle took the marked envelope. The sick little boy in the bed widened his eyes as Belle brushed herarm against his mother'sshoulder.
The mother turned and asked, "Who areyoutwo?"
Belle nodded her head. "We're from the Morgan Foundation. This is for you. Please take this, and if you ever need anything, please letusknow."
The mother opened the envelope and had tears in her eyes. "This istoomuch."
Belle smiled. "Take it. MerryChristmas."
The mother staredat her son and then nodded her head. "This will help us. Merry Christmas toyoutoo."
They walked out of the room together, and Belle bumped into him as they turned the corner. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist andsmiled.
"Peter, I like your Christmastradition."
She hadn't demanded a reporter and a photographer to follow them. Belle was one hundred percent real,and she hit something in his heart that reminded him why he liked his yearly trip here. He hugged her and whiffed her apple scent. He decided apples were now his favoritefruit.
