“You too, Dr. Creed.”
“Tabitha,” the doctor insisted.
Bella nodded and went to move away, but Lucas gripped her wrist and pulled her a few feet away from his parents.
“Where do you think you're going?”
“I am going over there to say Happy Birthday to my friend.”
“What about our drink?” Lucas frowned.
“Maybe later,” Bella replied.
She wiggled her wrist free and stepped away. She turned and began to walk toward Taylor’s table. She smiled, knowing that he was still standing in the same spot. She could feel his eyes on her, but she didn’t dare look back.
“Wassup, superstar?” Taylor greeted as she stood to her feet. She pulled Bella in for a hug.
“Hey, friend,” Bella responded enthusiastically. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you.” Taylor’s smiled brightly.
She was clearly having a good time, and Bella was pleased. After all the shit Taylor had been through, she deserved to have a little fun.
“Ladies, y’all know Bella,” Taylor proclaimed.
“Hey, Bella!” Nicole screeched.
“Hey, Nic.” Bella chuckled with furrowed brows.
Nicole is slapped.
The rest of the ladies, except for Victoria Storm, greeted in unison. So, in return, Bella spoke to everyone except her. Taylor cleared her throat loudly and shifted her disappointed glare between Bella and Victoria.
“Bella,” Victoria grumbled.
“Price,” Bella replied, with the satisfaction of knowing that it pissed Victoria off whenever she called her by her maiden name.
“My name is Storm, bi—”
“Bella, the girls are planning a spa day tomorrow for my birthday,” Taylor announced, interrupting Victoria’s retort.
Bella smirked and focused her attention on Taylor. She really didn’t have the energy for the back and forth with Victoria. “Spa day, huh?” she asked.
“Yeah. Since tomorrow’s Sunday, and most of us will be off, we’re meeting up for breakfast. Then we’re gonna get pampered. And, afterward, we’re gonna meet at my house for drinks.”
“Unfortunately, I do have to work tomorrow. But I might be able to make it to happy hour at your place.”
“By the way, how is work?” Taylor inquired."
Bella knew that Taylor wanted answers, but she didn’t have any answers to give. Bella blew out a frustrated breath. “Work is unfulfilling,” Bella admitted somberly.
Taylor granted Bella a sympathetic smile and rubbed her upper arm. “You’ll close your cases,” Taylor reassured. “You’re a kickass detective.”
Bella rolled her eyes when Victoria fake coughed and took a sip from her glass. She looked down at Victoria and asked, “You ain’t got no other friends here?”
“Just you,” Victoria sneered, sarcastically.
Everything in Bella wanted to slap the shit out of Victoria Storm, and if they were in different company, she probably would have. “Taylor, I gotta go holler at the restaurant manager right quick. I’ll be back in a sec.”
