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Chapter 10

"This is seriously the best sandwich I've ever had," Bella said, her mouth full. It was late afternoon, and the two girls were enjoying a late lunch. The day was overcast but warm, and they'd opted to sit outside on the restaurant's patio.

Jane grinned and pushed her oversized sunglasses up the bridge of her nose. "You're certainly in a great mood."

Bella shrugged and nodded, wiping her mouth on her napkin as she swallowed. "Yeah, I guess I am."

"I wonder why that is," Jane teased, smiling smugly. "So how was last night, anyway?"

Bella glanced up as the waiter brought their check. "Thank you," she said before turning her attention back to Jane. "It was wonderful. One of the best nights ever."

Bella began to describe the details of her evening with Edward, and Jane couldn't help but smile as she watched Bella light up as she talked about him. She'd known Bella for a long time, but she'd never seen her like this. Since she'd met Edward, something in Bella had changed. Jane was happy for her, but at the same time, it made her nervous. She'd met Edward, and he seemed like a nice guy. He certainly seemed to be making Bella happy, but Jane was skeptical. She'd been working the streets for years, and she'd never met a man who was okay with how she earned her living. Sure, every once in a while someone would come along and claim that they didn't care about it, but in the end, they always did.

Jane fished a cigarette out of her bag and lit it, rolling her eyes a little when Bella wrinkled her nose. Jane's smoking had been a bone of contention between the two of them for as long as they'd been friends. Bella hated that Jane smoked and was always after her to quit, but Jane refused. "We're outside!" she cried. "So when are you seeing him again?" she asked, changing the subject as she flicked ashes from her cigarette into her empty cup.

Bella shrugged noncommittally. "Soon. Maybe tonight."

Jane raised one eyebrow. "You're not working tonight then?"

Bella stared at the napkin in her lap for a moment.

"Bella?" Jane prompted.

"I think I want to quit." The words were quiet but unmistakable. Jane pursed her lips and waited for her to continue. Finally, Bella looked up. "I think it's time."

Jane nodded slowly. "I see. Because of Edward?" she asked, a slight edge creeping into her voice despite her best efforts to remain neutral.

Bella shrugged. "Yes and no." She fiddled with her fork. "I mean, of course he's thrilled that I want to quit. He's helped me to see that there's more out there for me than this, but I'm not doing it for him. I'm doing it for me."

Jane nodded. "You know what's best for you, Bella. But just be careful."

Bella tilted her head as she looked questioningly at Jane. "What do you mean?"

Jane shrugged and took a draw from her cigarette before answering. "I just want you to be careful, Bella. Don't let him hurt you."

Bella opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted before she could.

"Bella?"

Both girls turned toward the voice. Jane furrowed her brow as she took in the tall blonde woman standing by their table.

"Yes?" Bella asked hesitantly. Always naturally defensive, Jane flexed her jaw and glared at the woman.

"You don't remember me. We met last night. I'm Rosalie. I work with Edward. I thought that was you." Rosalie smiled a sickly sweet smile and glanced at Jane.

Bella stared blankly at Rosalie for a moment before recovering herself slightly. "Oh, hi. Um, it's nice to see you again, Rosalie. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. I met so many people last night. This is my friend Jane. Jane, Rosalie."

"It's so nice to meet you. Do you girls mind if I join you for a moment? I've been shopping all morning and my feet are killing me." Without waiting for either of them to respond, Rosalie pulled a chair out and sat down between them, letting her heavy shopping bags fall to the ground on either side of her.

Jane stared at Rosalie for a moment, her jaw tightening. She could already tell that she didn't like this girl.

"You guys probably already ate, huh? Well, that's okay. I'm not that hungry. I could use a drink though. Where is that waiter?" Rosalie seemed to talk nonstop, and she didn't seem to care whether or not anyone participated in the conversation with her. She flagged the waiter down and ordered some sweet tea. Jane tried to catch Bella's eye, but for some reason, Bella wouldn't seem to look at her.

"So, Jane," Rosalie said, turning her attention back to the two girls once the waiter had brought her tea. "Are you a hooker too?" Her expression remained impassive as she gazed at Jane, taking a draw from her tea.

There was silence for a moment, and then Jane said, "What did you say to me?" Her voice was low and dangerous.

Rosalie looked back and forth between the two girls, feigning innocence. "Oh, I'm sorry. Bella, did you think no one knew?" She laughed; the sound harsh and almost menacing. "Did you think you and Edward were keeping that little secret? No sweetie. I'm afraid not. See, last night when you were playing Cinderella? Someone recognized you, one of your former clients. Do you remember James? No, probably not. I'm sure there's been so many. Anyway, James recognized you, and now everyone knows." Rosalie shrugged and giggled as she tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder.

Jane weighed her options for a moment. What she wanted to do more than anything was to smash Rosalie's perfect little face, but she resisted the urge. She really didn't want to deal with the hassle of jail right then. Instead, she took a deep breath and looked at Bella. "Come on, Bella," Jane said, glaring at Rosalie. Jane stood, but it took Bella a moment to follow her lead. For a moment, she seemed too stunned to move. "Bella, let's go." Jane repeated.

Finally, Bella lurched to her feet.

"Going so soon? But I just got here?" Rosalie's voice was syrup again, but her eyes were like ice.

"You're disgusting," Jane spat.

Rosalie raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow. "I'm disgusting? You let people pay you for sex, and I'm disgusting." Rosalie snorted her derision.

Jane took Bella's arm and started to lead her away from the table. She was so angry she was shaking.

"Bella," Rosalie called.

"Don't stop," Jane whispered, tugging on Bella's arm to keep her moving. But it didn't matter. Rosalie's words still reached them.

"Eventually Edward will get tired of slumming it, you know. I wouldn't get too used to the high life, Cinderella."

Huge tears streamed unchecked down Bella's cheeks. By the time they reached their apartment, Jane was so angry she wanted to scream.

"Who the hell does she think she is?" she raged, pacing back and forth. "I should have pulled her to her feet by her long blonde hair and beaten the hell out of her!"

"It's okay, Jane. Just…don't," Bella whispered. She wiped the last of her tears and took a deep breath. "I'm going to take a shower." Jane nodded, watching Bella warily. There was something troubling about her expression, as if something inside had snapped.

Bella emerged from the shower and disappeared into her room without a word to Jane. Jane sighed and showered. While she got ready for work, she thought about smashing her fist into Rosalie's face over and over again. She was so distracted by the thought, she didn't notice when Bella emerged from her room a few hours later. She raised her eyebrow as she took in Bella's outfit.

"Ready?" Bella asked.

"Ready for what?" Jane asked warily.

"For work, Jane," Bella huffed.

"Bella, I…"

"Just…let's go," Bella pleaded, her voice desperate. Her eyes filled up with tears that threatened to spill over, and Jane's heart broke a little.

"Okay," she said quietly, nodding at Bella as she took her hand.

Both girls were silent as they walked their usual route. Jane couldn't help but notice that Bella's phone rang twice before they'd been out even an hour. Both times, Bella glanced at the display and pressed a button to silence it before tossing it back into her bag. Jane raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

It wasn't long before a car pulled up in front of them. Jane and Bella glanced at each other, and a silent exchange took place.

"Are you sure, Bella?" Jane asked.

Bella lifted her chin. "I'm sure," she said.

Jane nodded. "Okay. Go on then."

Bella nodded and took a deep breath before making her way toward the waiting car.

It wasn't until Bella had climbed into the front seat and shut the door that Jane saw him. In his car across the street sat Edward, his expression a mixture of pain and anger as he watched Bella climb into the other car and drive off.