Chapter 267
==8 BPOV 8==
12:45.
If I knew what was good for me, I'd sneak out right now. Angela would take one look at my pale face and not even question that I'm ill. Hell, I'll just hide out in the bathroom another ten minutes or an hour or whatever it takes for him to get the message and leave.
Assuming he comes at all.
What am I saying? Of course Mr. Reliable will come.
My reflection reveals no signs of impropriety. Buttoned up three inches above my cleavage right down to my pedicure, no one could reasonably accuse me of wearing risqué attire.
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| - EPOV - |
I suddenly feel ridiculous holding the present, not even knowing whether Bella will see me or not. Before that nosy Jessica spies me, I stuff the gift behind the potted palm tree in the corner of the reception area.
I force myself to the counter. "I have an appointment with Bella."
Jessica stares, slack-jawed, before her professional persona kicks in. "Let me see if she's available."
"I'll check," comes a voice from behind me. Bella's pint-sized bodyguard.
"Thank you, Alice," I mumble gratefully.
"Don't thank me. I make no guarantees."
Her warning glare shatters my already brittle nerves. "Understood."
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==8 BPOV 8==
Alice bursts into the bathroom.
"He's here!"
The simple announcement may as well be a defibrillator shock, jump starting my broken-down mess of a heart.
I've dreaded his arrival, but I was a thousand times more terrified he wouldn't show.
Damn him for making me fall for him and then turning out to be human after all.
"Want me to cut him?" Alice offers.
"WHAT? NO! What are you talking about?"
"His hair, Bella. Do you want me to trade with you? Old Mr. Franklin is blind as a bat; he'll never know the difference."
"Thanks, but I'll handle this."
A/N: We'll be alternating now. Looks like they'll SEE each other tomorrow! XXX ~BOH