Bella whipped her head toward me, eyes wide with disbelief. "Honey, is that true?"
Before I could respond, Daniel sauntered over with a grin. "Ms. Simmons, it doesn't matter who invited Ms. Gilbert. She's here, so she's a guest. Business rivalries are business rivalries. No need to make things personal."
He extended a hand toward Melody with a polished smile.
"Ms. Gilbert, a pleasure!"
Melody folded her arms across her chest and let out a derisive scoff.
Daniel's smile froze.
"Melody Gilbert, don't push it," Bella snapped.
I caught Melody's eye and gave her a subtle look. She nodded, then stretched lazily and stifled a yawn. "Boring. Owen, I'll wait for you inside. Don't take too long."
She hadn't made it ten steps before Bella seized my arm, her grip tight with anxiety. "Since when are you two so close?"
"You're reading into it," I said evenly. "We bumped into each other outside and walked in together. That's all."
"Really?"
"Really."
Bella exhaled, visibly relieved, then fixed me with a stern look. "Stay away from that woman. She's bad news."
I almost laughed.
Melody is bad news, but you're not?
Betrayal. Manipulation.
What right did you have to call anyone else bad news?