Page 37 of The Enemy's Daughter

Yeah, and right now you’re sitting opposite one.

“You’ve got me, and I’ll be paying for tonight.”

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“Are you all set for tonight?” Rebecca asked, looking into Bella’s suitcase.

“Yeah. I have everything I think I’ll need for two days. We’re heading home on the Sunday, late evening. I’ll call you as soon as I get back.”

“This is a huge step. Isn’t it? You and him, going away together?”

“Yeah, it is. I’m kind of nervous. This is where everything goes wrong all the time.”

Rebecca walked around toward her. “Don’t worry about it. Everything is going to be fine.”

“I don’t know. Everything is moving really damn fast, and it scares me, like a lot.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone before.”

“Do you love him?”

“Yeah, I think I do, and that scares me. I’ve known him a couple of weeks, a handful of days, and yet I have feelings for him. I want him to meet my father, and I don’t know what any of that means.”

Rebecca wrapped her arms around her, trying to offer her comfort. “It means you can’t keep fighting how you feel. You love him, and love is a beautiful and precious thing.”

“It’s also scary and dangerous, and it makes you get hurt.” Bella grabbed a pillow hugging it close to her. “That’s what I’m afraid of, getting hurt.”

“Sweetie, we’re all going to get hurt. It’s just the way it is. We get hurt, and then we bounce right back. It’s what makes us human.”

“I know I’m human.”

Rebecca smiled. “Give it a chance. What’s the worst that can happen? You have to trust in yourself, and in men, sometime as otherwise you’re going to end up lonely, and old, and even more lonely.”

Bella laughed. “So I’ve got to either let him in or grow old.”

“That’s it, sweetie. You know I talk sense.”

She agreed. “You do, it’s why I trust you. You’re always looking out for me.”

For several seconds Bella rested her head on Rebecca’s shoulder.

“Right, I’ve got to go. I’m going on a date myself tonight, and I won’t want to be late.” Rebecca kissed her cheek, and stood. “Remember, have a little faith, and a lot of fun.”

Bella saw her friend out, and then finished packing. As she was doing up the zipper on her suitcase, her doorbell rang.

“Done. I’m finally done.” Opening the door, she smiled at Blue.

He wore a pair of jeans and a white shirt.

“You look … sexy.”

“I’m dressing down, baby. We’re going camping.”

“In a cabin?”

“It’s as close to camping as I’m ever going to get. Have you ever been camping?”

“I have actually. A tent, no electricity. In a field with bathrooms and stuff. It was fun,” she said. “My mom was a great believer in keeping everything real. I did tell you.”

“You did. Don’t I get a kiss?”

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