A ridiculous misunderstanding.

Bridget's eyes widened. "Willow Taylor? The one you admired?"

Bella nodded, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Yes, she is the one I admired. Thanks to Theodore, she is taking on Brico's latest project. They're obviously close, and it's evident in the way they look at each other. Something is going on between them. Theodore lied to me."

Joe, who had been silently observing the exchange, furrowed his brow, growing pensive. "Maybe they are just business partners or good friends," he offered cautiously. "If he had feelings for this Willow woman, why wouldn't he have married her? Why choose you? I am telling you, Bella…there is more to this than meets the eye."

But Bella, her judgment clouded by alcohol and a bruised heart, was deaf to his words. "He lied," she muttered with despair. "Lied about liking me. He has someone else in his heart."