Page 22 of The Enemy's Daughter

“Why me? He’s a sexy guy. I mean smoking hot sexy, and I’m me. I’ve looked in the mirror, so don’t give me any of that crap that I’m beautiful or shit. I won’t buy it.”

“Sweetie, you are beautiful. It’s just a different kind of beauty.”

“Right. It’s the kind that people overlook when they get to know me.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. Something just doesn’t feel right, you know?”

“No, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. This is supposed to be a good thing, and you’re treating it like some kind of curse. A guy likes you. You’ve had the best sex ever. I’m jealous, babe. Like real jealous.”

Bella chuckled. “You’ve got nothing to be jealous of. You know you’re a hottie, and you have men falling all over you.”

“I know. Sometimes I wonder if my parents have sent men to me.”

“To try to lure you back to their way of thinking?”

“Yeah. It has been done before, and then I wonder if I’m just lame in thinking that,” Rebecca said.

The waiter came to bring them their food. Bella had spaghetti carbonara, one of her favorites, while Rebecca went with chicken Milanese. “So you think I should just play this out? See what happens?”

Rebecca shrugged. “What more could you do? Trust yourself, and try to have a little faith in the opposite sex. He went to you with a puppy, right? Try to trust in that.”

“Not all pet owners are good people.”

“Not all old men are dirty.”

Bella’s cheeks heated recalling how dirty Blue got.

“You’re right. I really do need to get a life, don’t I?” she asked. She sucked some spaghetti into her mouth, and watched as Rebecca chewed as she thought it over.

“You have a life. I can see why you’re hesitant in starting anything. Really, I can. Let’s see. You have Bill, the teacher. He was … weird.”

“He was after my father’s money. Did you know he even went to my father to try to blackmail him?” Bella sighed. It was always depressing thinking of her past loves. “He liked to have sex in the bedroom, lights off, and half the time I can’t even be sure if we were having sex.”

Rebecca laughed. “Then we’ve got David. The science nerd. He had potential, if it wasn’t for his views.”

He had been religious, and didn’t believe in sex before marriage. When Bella suggested they do it, he’d treated her like some kind of criminal. “I’ve got nothing to say about him.”

“Then the cheater, Ryan. He was an asshole.” Tears filled Bella’s eyes, and she dropped her head down. “Oh, sweetie, you’re not still in love with him are you?”

She waved her hand in front of her. “No, I’m not in love with him. Just remembering some of the horrible things he said after I caught him screwing someone else. You know, it was just hurtful.”

“I can’t even believe you thought I would want you, Bella. You’re fat, you’re fucking plain, and to be honest, I don’t like even looking at you because you make me sick. Sex with you was like fucking a hippo, and being squashed by a whale. The only good thing about you is your dad’s money. He’ll be the one to see if a man sticks around.”

“As parting words go, he really cut me to the core, and it has been a hard, long road to get over that. I’m sure you can understand.”

“He was a nobody, honey. You shouldn’t take his words and allow them to have any meaning.” Rebecca placed her hand on top of hers. “I hate men.”

Bella smiled. “You don’t. You love men, and often, so you’re screwed.”

“Very true. I just wish I could find someone who sticks, you know. Who can deal with my personality, and the fact I like to be everywhere, and anywhere, you know?”

“I do. I know what you mean.” She squeezed Rebecca’s hand, trying to give her friend comfort. “Besides, if no man comes around, we’ll always have each other.”

“And don’t forget battery operated kinds. They are a lifesaver, and they never complain, ditch you, or make you wish to kill them.”

Bella didn’t say anything else. There was no point.

A battery-operated boyfriend could give many things, pleasure being the biggest one. The device couldn’t keep her warm at night, or make her laugh, or enjoy her food, or even give her a family.

“To love,” she said, holding up her glass of water. They clinked their glasses, and finished the rest of their lunch.

Bella made her excuses and headed back to the veterinary practice where she could pretend for a little while that her life was normal, that she didn’t have any other concerns to speak of.

For now, it would have to do.

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