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"Why?"

"The prize"

She quirked an eyebrow "Can’t you visit food trucks any old ti a pair of chopsticks without hitting one"

"That’s not the point I need to uru Our fas And I need to convinceher as my date"

Bella’s expression softened "You’re like a walking chick flick"

"Whatever Just tell "

Bella crossed her legs on the bed and began to explain And for a little while, peace reigned in the kingdo with her hands, her green eyes flashing And I took notes so I could refuriously before I forgot what she’d said

"I told you Dinner table conversation One-sided conference calls Buildings are all my father ever talks about"

There was a knock at the door "Bella!" came a male voice

Across fro me to stay silent

The knock persisted "Bells, open up Coh, Bella stood and crossed to the door When she opened it, two men loomed in the doorway When she backed away, they caed in a way I did not like The first guy in the door -- a big blond guy -- stared down at Bella, tension radiating off him "Rikker said you weren’t at practice"

Two pink spots appeared on Bella’s cheeks She looked past her blond friend at the other guy I recognized him -- he was in about a hundred newspaper articles last year The First Out Gay Player In Division One Hockey, etc "You ratted me out?" Bella asked

Rikker rolled his eyes "We’re just worried about you, Bells"

"That does not even begin to cover it," the blond guy said His jacket said GRAHAM on it "What the hell happened? Who took that picture?"

Great "Not the question," I o, Bella had been relaxed for the first ti for all the world like she’d rather crawl under the bed than sit on it

"And who are you?" Graha to me