CHAPTER 47-The Escape
Bella's POV
“I knew something was up the minute I heard you,” she said, her voice laced with suspicion. “You sounded like someone who’s hiding something. And your mood... it shifted so fast. I knew you were up to no good.”
I shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of my neck. “Don’t be so dramatic, Jane. It was just lunch! Nothing more. So, get all those silly ideas out of your head.”
She wasn’t buying it. Her eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on me, her piercing stare practically forcing the words from my mouth. She wasn’t going to let this go.
“You better tell me everything,” she demanded. “Do not miss out on a single detail!”
There was no getting away from this. At that moment, I almost wished she hadn’t caught me with Fernando. A small sigh escaped my lips as I sat down, trying to act casual, but Jane wasn’t letting up. She kept staring at me as if she were waiting for me to spill the whole truth right there and then.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” I defended myself, trying to keep my voice steady.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “You must think I’m a child. I literally just walked in on you both in the car, and you were—” she hesitated, “—about to kiss each other! Isn’t it weird how he’s the guy you hated just a little while ago? You didn’t even want to hear a single word about him. I threw away his business card because you swore off men. You promised celibacy, Bella. So what the hell is going on?”
Her words hit hard, and for a moment, I felt my chest tighten. Jane had a point. Fernando had been the last person I ever expected to spend time with, and yet here I was, sitting across from her, trying to explain myself. But it wasn’t that simple. Not anymore.
“Look, my rules haven’t changed,” I said, the words coming out faster than I expected. “He came by to get a painting. We met by chance. He offered to take me to lunch, and I couldn’t refuse. I was hungry.”
Her eyes softened slightly, but she wasn’t ready to let it slide just yet. “That still doesn’t explain why you were about to kiss him in the car, Bella! Is there something you're not telling me? Did you already make out? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like something is definitely going on.”
“Hey! Don’t jump to conclusions,” I said quickly. “It was just an innocent lunch. That's it.”
Jane scoffed, shaking her head. “That’s exactly how cute love stories begin, right? Harmless lunches, then dates, then date nights... and before you know it, you're living out the perfect romance.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re way too dramatic, Jane. Enough about me. Tell me about your date with that cute guy. Don’t think you can dodge the details just because you saw me with Fernando.”
As I said that, a mischievous smile spread across my face. But when I looked at Jane, her face fell, her excitement completely deflated. I was taken aback.
“Don’t start, Jane. Earlier this morning, you were practically bouncing off the walls about that date. You couldn’t wait to see him. So why the sudden frown?” I raised an eyebrow, curious.
She sighed deeply, her expression twisting into one of mild frustration. “He’s just... too talkative. I like men who talk, don’t get me wrong, but this guy? He talks about everything. And it’s honestly just boring. I barely spent a few hours with him, and I already knew way too much about his life. Like, did you know his grandfather had seven wives and divorced three of them? And his ex left him for a guy who was shorter than him. Oh, and his favorite food is oats! Who has *oats* as their favorite food? It’s just... it’s too much. He’s too much.”
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing, unable to control myself. Jane’s frustration was so exaggerated, but it was hilarious. I laughed until my stomach hurt.
“You can laugh all you want, but I’m serious!” Jane huffed, crossing her arms. “I can’t do it, Bella. I just can’t.”
“Oh my god,” I gasped, still laughing. “At this point, I think you should just go back to the drawing board and create your perfect man. Someone who knows how to shut up about his grandfather’s marriages and oats.”
Jane rolled her eyes dramatically, but I could tell she was trying not to smile. “I’ll find my perfect match one day. Just like you found yours.”
I stopped laughing and gave her a pointed look. “Oh, please. You’ve been single for *three* years, Jane. Maybe you should dial it down a bit and be a little more realistic. If you keep setting these impossible standards, you’re never going to find someone. Trust me, I know.”
She gasped dramatically, eyes wide. “Oh, so now you’re an expert on relationships? At least I go out on dates. At least I *talk* to men. Unlike you, who’s been avoiding them for three years! Well, except for the ‘fine male figure’ you were almost kissing earlier, of course.”
“For the love of Christ!” I threw my hands up. “I didn’t kiss him! He was just helping me with something in my hair when you walked in. That’s all it was!”
“Sure, whatever,” she said with a sly grin. “But I still don’t buy it. Anyway, I brought you tacos, so you have to eat now.”
I rubbed my stomach, groaning slightly. “I’m sorry, Jane, but I don’t think I can eat right now. I’ve had so much today already.”
“I see how it is,” she teased, “Not only does he feed you, but now he’s succeeded in winning your heart too.”
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Say whatever you want. Just pack up, and let’s go. Henry will be home soon, and I want to make something special for him after his basketball practice.”
As I gathered my things, I felt a strange flutter in my chest. My heart skipped a beat, and my mind wandered to Fernando. His face flashed in my mind, and for a brief moment, I had to stop what I was doing. What there hell is wrong with me? I thought. Was I... starting to like him?