She was alone, and her body was jittery with too much adrenaline. Every cell in her body craved to do something, but she wasn't sure what.
As she marched through the lobby, where families gathered and someone took her photograph, she crossed her arms. Peter should take hours with his mother.
She thought about reading, but right now, she couldn't get her mind to settle. She marched into the hotel and then saw the word 'spa' on a brochure. A good massage might make her less anxious and more open to Peter when he came back. He'd probably be wound up tight, and she hoped to be a good listener.
She went to her room and dropped off her bag. The spa idea played in her mind. She stared out her balcony as people danced in a courtyard and had drinks. The party never stopped there.
Then she marched out of her room and through a different courtyard, which played light samba music, and into the sunshine. The people at the pool drank and others swam in the blue waters. Parrots squawked in the palm trees. At the cabana, more people congregated with drinks. Clearly this was vacation heaven.
She stepped into the salon and Miss Hair, Makeup and Clothes were all there. Miss Hair was behind the front desk as she worked on someone's hair. Miss Makeup was also with a client to her left as she sold some products.
Miss Clothes was at the front desk and asked, "How may we serve you today Ms. Jordan?"
She stared at the brochure with the menu of options. "I'd like a massage."
Miss Clothes smiled. "Would you like that in your room or in our spa?"
She hadn't thought to stay in her room. She didn't want to be alone right now anyhow. It was better to be lost in a crowd.
"Here is fine."
"Please have a seat, and I will get a masseuse for you now."
Her skin was alert and active. The sounds of harps and bells in the light spa music already relaxed her.
"Are you ready?" Belle stood and nodded her head. The woman smiled and turned to lead her. "Of course. This way."
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 warm bathrobe.
"Your masseuse will be Katerina. Please change here, and she will come and get you in a moment."
The sounds of nature mixed with a flute played in her ear. This place was tranquil.
Belle nodded and walked inside. "Thank you."
She was in 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 a moment."
No one said anything, but someone was 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 marched forward.
Jennifer sipped a Bellini, the signature drink of the hotel, and stood the moment she saw her. "Belle Jordan, is that you?"
"Jennifer, Peter's ex?"
Belle proceeded to a locker and ensured Jennifer couldn't see the passcode.
As she returned to the couch, Jennifer sipped her cocktail and smiled. "Funny seeing you here."
She was here to cause trouble. Belle crossed her arms. She'd not bait the woman who clearly wanted Peter.
"I am staying at the hotel. What are you doing here?"
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 go there."
“I don’t know what that is. I’m not from here. I find it strange you are at my hotel.”
“This hotel is pretty historic.”
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 you followed Peter and me shopping earlier too?"
Jennifer swallowed and then saluted with her glass. "He told you?"
Belle pressed her lips together. This was the last person she'd choose to talk to, but any moment this little episode would end. She glanced at the door.
"Of course. We don't have secrets."
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 the lovebirds."
This was taking too long. Her heart began to race as she sat here. She didn't look at Jennifer.
"Perhaps it's better if we simply read until our appointments start."
Jennifer placed her glass on the table. Belle heard the glass clink. Her own skin tingled at the sound.
Then Jennifer said, "You don't want to share Peter. I understand. I didn't either, but then he cheated on me."
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 to relax.”
“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 little disappointed at this though. If I were you, I'd want to know all about his little bet."
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 won though.
"Excuse me?"
Jennifer leaned forward in her seat. "He made a bet that he could date you for a month. He gets ten percent of John's stock in Morgan Enterprises if he keeps you on his arm."
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't believe you."
Jennifer said, "Don't believe me. That's fine. You can ask him yourself about the bet. We both know that Peter doesn't lie when confronted. He will make a plan to ensure that his way ultimately wins."
A month. Now that the question was out there, she'd ask. She had wondered why a man like Peter Morgan would ever talk to her at that party or why he insisted they spend time together. She'd been in such a dark cloud and rude. Now he spent all his time with her.
She swallowed and turned toward Jennifer, who stared at her like a cat that let its prey wander the cage. "When did the bet supposedly start?"
Jennifer waited and let the sounds of harps fill the air. "So you are curious."
Belle swallowed and hugged her waist. "Forget it."
Jennifer sighed. "At the rehearsal dinner, the moment you arrived."
There was no time for that. This had to be a lie. Belle's shoulders straightened for the moment. "He came to speak to me within minutes of my arrival."