“So you’re saying you’re going away to help Mrs. Wilder match make a king?” Charlotte asked, her hazel eyes wide with surprise. “I didn’t realize she was that popular.”
Bella grinned. “Yes. An Alion king. I bet you he’s stuffy and old, but I’m just excited to get out of town. A whole new world. Literally.”
There was nothing Bella didn’t tell Charlotte. Hiding the fact that Gerri could travel to another planet lasted all of ten seconds.
“I’m so jealous,” Charlotte sighed. Much like Bella, she was a big girl too, with big curves. But Charlotte loved the winter and the snow. She traveled the world to go skiing and hiking in the middle of the winter. It was the only reason Bella questioned her sanity. There was no catching Bella doing anything in the cold. No fucking way.
“Maybe, if things go well, I can get Gerri to take me again, and we can take you.” She grinned. Her face ached from how much she’d been smiling all day. Gerri had been particular. She’d said to bring comfortable summer clothing, but Bella would have the choice to wear whatever the women there did.#p#分页标题#e#
Charlotte perked up in her seat. She continued stroking Princess, Bella’s golden munchkin kitty. Bella loved cats. If it weren’t for a rule in her building limiting pets to one per household, she’d totally rock the cat lady title like it was nobody’s business. “I’d love to get away. Instead of spending time with me, like he promised, my dad is once again letting me go on an alone ski trip this fall.”
“I’m sorry, Charlotte. Your dad sucks,” Bella grumbled. Not that her father was much better, but she at least had great cousins like Nita and Tally. They were worth their weight in gold.
“What are you doing about James?” Charlotte asked, stroking Princess’s coat gently. The cat purred and huddled into a little ball on Charlotte’s lap.
“I called it quits. Really, when a man is so boring you fall asleep on dates with him, something’s wrong.”
Charlotte giggled. “I’ll say. I could use him talking to me for a few hours. Maybe then I’d get some sleep. I have been having the worse insomnia: up all night and exhausted all day.”
“You’re lucky you work from home,” Bella said, glancing at the clothes she had strewn around the room. She stopped and gave Charlotte a serious look. “When does your book come out?”
Charlotte shrugged. “In a few weeks.”
“I should be back in time for us to celebrate. Your first Love Your Curves self-help book.” Bella threw her arms around her friend. “I’m so excited for you! The fact you opened up about your childhood to help others who have been fat shamed makes me so proud to call you my friend.”
“Hello? Did you forget the fact you helped write some of it?”
She shook her head. “Five chapters isn’t all that much. And all I did was help give you more info in an area you weren’t sure about.”
“Whatever. You helped. It’s your book, too. Both our names are on the cover.”
Bella sighed and sat next to Charlotte and the pile of clothes. “Yes, but that’s because you kept insisting. I told you I was happy to help.”
“Fuck that! You wrote a lot of words to help me out. The least I could do is give you the credit you deserved.”
“You don’t need to give me credit, but thanks. I appreciate it.”
She’d had some seriously sucky relationships. Thankfully, she was done with all that. Now she’d focus on having a better life and traveling with Gerri—all the while helping to keep the older woman organized. The excitement for her trip returned tenfold.
FIVE
Bella glanced at the passing scenery with excitement. Gerri explained that when she opened a portal, it sucked nearby energy. She didn’t want any undue attention, so they’d go to a friend who worked at a power plant, and it wouldn’t be so weird.
The power plant was far out of the city in a place surrounded by deserted warehouses.
“Do you know if it's going to be cold?” Bella asked.
Gerri grinned. “You're fine. You remind me of a little kid going to a fair.”
She felt like it. She was going to another planet. The idea had yet to settle in her mind. Thank goodness for Charlotte, who would take care of Princess and her bills and apartment.
“Am I dressed okay?”
Gerri nodded, glancing out the other passenger window. Their driver hadn’t said anything since they’d gotten in the car. “In the northern forest, the temperature is great and stays in the eighties. Even though there are two suns, you'll feel a lot cooler than a summer on the East Coast.”#p#分页标题#e#