Page 80 of Secret Bet
Miss Clothes walked with perfect poise. Belle's hips did not swing like hers. Belle stampeded with a brisk military straight line, though she wore heels. Miss Clothes pointed to a dressing room and handed her a warmbathrobe.
"Your masseuse will be Katerina. Please change here, and shewill come and get you in amoment."
The sounds of nature mixed with a flute played in her ear. This place wastranquil.
Belle nodded and walked inside. "Thankyou."
She wasin one of the changing rooms, wrapping the robe around her, when she heard footsteps. She assumed it was the masseuse and called out, "I'll be out in amoment."
No one said anything, but someonewas outside in the lounge. Belle could hear them. She folded her clothes and ensured the robe was tight around her as she stepped out. She rolled on her feet the moment she saw Jennifer. Part of her wanted to go into the changing room and stay. She didn't though. She marchedforward.
Jennifer sipped a Bellini, the signature drink of the hotel, and stood the moment she saw her. "Belle Jordan,isthatyou?"
"Jennifer,Peter'sex?"
Belle proceeded to a locker and ensured Jennifer couldn't see thepasscode.
As she returned to the couch, Jennifer sipped her cocktail and smiled. "Funny seeingyouhere."
She was here to cause trouble. Belle crossed her arms. She'd not bait the woman who clearly wantedPeter.
"I am staying at the hotel. What are youdoinghere?"
Jennifer didn't flinch. She relaxed in her seat as her skin glowed with radiance. Spa living must be good at hiding the inside of a person. Belle sat and stared at the door, hoping the masseuse came. "I live in Coral Gables, and this is my usual spa, at least until Calm Serenity opens officially. I can’t wait to gothere."
“I don’t know what that is. I’m not from here. I findit strange you are at myhotel.”
“This hotel is prettyhistoric.”
Belle lifted one of her eyebrows to give her most quizzical ‘don't feed me nonsense' face she had used on people under her supervision. "So why you followed Peter and me shoppingearliertoo?"
Jennifer swallowed and then saluted with her glass. "Hetoldyou?"
Belle pressed her lips together. This wasthe last person she'd choose to talk to, but any moment this little episode would end. She glanced atthedoor.
"Of course. We don't havesecrets."
Jennifer's smile was like a cat staring at its prey. An instant coldness raced down Belle's spine as Jennifer said, "Interesting. Well I didn't take you as a spa type. I thought I’d be safe enough from thelovebirds."
This wastaking too long. Her heart began to race as she sat here. She didn't look atJennifer.
"Perhaps it's better if we simply read until our appointmentsstart."
Jennifer placed her glass on the table. Belle heard the glass clink. Her own skin tingled at thesound.
Then Jennifer said, "You don't want to share Peter. I understand. I didn't either, but then he cheatedonme."
Belle tugged on her ear. She'd not turn and give this woman any time. Cheating was not a good characteristic though and she’d ask him for his story soon. "Sorry about that, but so we understand each other, I am here torelax.”
“Of course. I’d be the same if I was you.” Jennifer's sigh filled the air and drowned out the nice piano music mingling with nature as she said, "I'm a littledisappointed at this though. If I were you, I'd want to know all about hislittlebet."
She should have asked for details about the bet. Jennifer had mentioned it at the hospital too. Belle refused to say anything to the woman that reminded her of girls in high school she'd avoid like the plague. Curiosity wonthough.
"Excuseme?"
Jennifer leaned forward in her seat. "He madea bet that he could date you for a month. He gets ten percent of John's stock in Morgan Enterprises if he keeps you onhisarm."
The stakes were high. Peter cared about Morgan Enterprises. She knew she fed Jennifer's ego with her question. Her shoulders tightened as she stared at the door. "I don'tbelieveyou."
