Chapter Three
Bella
These girls are everything. They’ve kept me sane when my overbearing parents are being too much. For years, they’ve told me to push back, to live my life, not the one my parents have mapped out for me.
When I told my Dad ‘no’ earlier today, I could hear them cheering me on in my head.
Harper, Ava and I have known each other since elementary, and Mia is the newest member — we met at college and she fitted in like she’s always been a part of our group.
“So…” Harper waggles her eyebrows at me. “Do we still have a massive crush on Reed?”
I snort into my drink. “Oh God, guys, I’m more in love with him than before,” I groan and rest my head on the table as they all just laugh at me, the bitches.
“Bella, we’re all a little in love with that man, he is fucking hot!” Ava, pipes up from her side of the table.
“Does anyone have a photo? I’m the only one that hasn’t seen him,” Mia says as she looks around at us all.
“Imagine if Chris Hemsworth and Henry Cavill had a child? That still wouldn’t cover how sexy Reed Burke is.” I laugh at the visual Ava just painted; she’s not wrong.
“In all seriousness, though, I need your opinions on something.” All heads turn to me.
“Does this involve Reed?” Harper asks, her eyes lighting up. I nod my head and unload the last two days onto them.
“Why wouldn’t he want you?” Mia asks once I’ve finished telling them what’s been happening at work. About the little touches, the looks — all of it.
“I’m his friend’s daughter and twenty-two-years younger than him. Hell, the age gap is bigger than I am old.” I throw my hands up in the air. “He’s known my Dad since I was three-years-old. How could he find me attractive?” I whine.
Saying it out loud makes it seem even more impossible. I must be imagining things. I’m manifesting what I want to see.
“Look, I don’t know Reed, or the relationship you two have—” Mia starts to say.
“They don’t,” Harper interrupts. “Reed might have known her since she was three, but he’s not been involved in her life. It’s not like he was changing her diapers or anything. He’s just been there, this presence in the background of her life.”
“Right,” Mia continues. “Well, in that case. You’re not a little girl, Bella.
You’re an incredibly beautiful woman and I think Reed has realized that.
You said you hadn’t seen him in over three years?
” I nod. “Then he’s seeing you in a new light.
It’s probably like he’s seeing you for the first time, and I’d honestly think there was something wrong with him if he didn’t want you.
Hell, Bella, I’d do you and I don’t swing that way. ”
I laugh at her comment. Could she be right? Am I not making it all up in my head?
“It doesn’t help that our dear girl is a virgin. She doesn’t have the experience to read a guy. He could write on his forehead in sharpie, and she would still miss the sign.”
“Oh, fuck off.” I flip Harper the finger, but I’m smiling.
My lack of experience with men is something the girls like to bring up at every opportunity. With me being the last remaining virgin in the group, they’ve all become very involved in me losing it.
“Imagine losing it to Reed. That man would know exactly what to do, he definitely gives off BDE.”
“I bet he’d make it good for you. First times are always the worst, but with him? I think a first time could actually be enjoyable with that man.”
Ava’s comment has me picturing what I really shouldn’t be. Reed hovering over me, kissing me, taking that final part of my innocence. A part of me I’d gladly give him.