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a son of a bitch. She’d embarrassed herself in front of all those people. Anna probably now had a legitimate reason to hate her and Jack probably thought she was a violent psychopath.
    A hand fell on her shoulder. Sydney nearly jumped out of her skin. She whirled around to see her friend Bella. “Bella! I didn’t realize you’d followed me.”
    “You ran right past me. You seemed to be in such a hurry I guess you didn’t notice me. Is everything all right?”
    Sydney groaned. “No. I’ve just created a big mess.”
    “What happened?”
    “I punched Anna.”
    Bella frowned. “Did I read your lips correctly? Did you say you punched someone?”
    “Yes. You don’t have to look shocked. I lost control and hit Anna.”
    “Wow, that isn’t like you at all. You’re the queen of cool.”
     
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    “So I’ve been told.”
    “What did she do to make you pop her?”
    Sydney released a deep breath. “I tried to see if we could call a truce, and then she said some really foul things to me. She called me narcissistic and self-centered.” Bella crinkled her nose. “Is that what set you off? You know you’re neither of those things. Why would you let her get to you like that?”
    “If that was all she said, I might have been able to shrug it off, but she made a nasty comment about Jack and me. She basically said he’d get tired of me, and I don’t know why that bothered me so much, but before I could stop myself, I hit her and I’m ashamed of what I did.”
    “Sounds like she deserved it. To be honest, I’ve noticed how she’s been a little cool toward you. Do you want to tell me about it?” Sydney turned her back to Bella. How could she explain her feelings when she was having trouble understanding them herself?
    Bella tapped her shoulder. “Turn around, Sydney. You know I can’t understand you otherwise. Please don’t shut me out.”
    Reluctantly, she faced her friend once again. “Anna and Jack used to be lovers. I don’t know how long their relationship lasted or how it ended, but it’s obvious to me she still has feelings for him. Whatever happened between them has made her bitter, and I find that scary.”
    “Why? Her feelings for Jack should have no bearing on yours, especially when it’s obvious Jack only has eyes for you.”
    “But don’t you see? If Jack could discard her, who’s to say he won’t do the same to me? Anna’s a beautiful woman, and a lot of the men seem attracted to her.”
    “So what? Maybe things didn’t work out for them because he didn’t feel strongly about her. It could simply have been a sexual thing. Why don’t you ask Jack?”
    “Because I don’t want him to think I’m jealous. It’s not like I have the right to question him about his past. Things between Jack and I are complicated. They’re not as straightforward as your relationship with Dar.”
     
     
     
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    A rush of red colored Bella’s cheeks at the mention of her lover. In a way, Sydney envied Bella’s and Holly’s relationships with their men, and the ease with which they were able to trust their men. “Dar is wonderful. I’m so lucky to have someone so understanding and caring in my life. That he was willing to give up the only life he knew to save me is humbling. I tell you to basically explain how powerful love is. It’s awesome, and when you open yourself up to it, the possibilities are endless. I’ve seen the way Jack looks at you and I don’t see why you can’t have what we do.”
    “What you said is all well and good, but don’t you understand? Jack’s reputation with women isn’t very stellar. I overheard him and Chase talking once, and Chase was teasing Jack about all his previous conquests. I don’t want to be another notch on Jack’s belt.”
    “Has he given you any indication he wants you only for sex?” Despite how much time the two of them spent in the bedroom, after sex, Jack would always hold her in his arms and tell her how beautiful he thought she was. She’d