Page 58 of Betting on Lizzie

“You might be the first guy who’s given her a run for her money,” Adam said. “And by that, I mean she’s not in total control, and that scares her.”

“If Lizzie found out we were talking about her like this, she’d be mortified,” Jack said.

“And we’d be dead,” Adam added.

“We need to take a vow of silence,” Dirk said.

They all nodded, which was apparently all it took to solidify the pledge.

“I think she needs someone to stand up to her and not let her get away with her pushing-everyone-aside routine,” Dirk said. “I’m not a shrink or anything, but I have studied what makes people tick, and from what I can tell, Adam’s right. Lizzie has control issues and always wants to be in the driver’s seat. But I think she’s tired of it. And that she’d gladly let go. For the right man.”

“You wanna be that man, Ben?” Jack asked.

“No pressure, eh?” Noah raised his eyebrows.

Ben sighed. Did he? “You guys are giving me a lot to think about, that’s for sure,” he said. “Sorry I hijacked the game with my lady problems.”

Everyone chuckled. “Well, one thing we all have in common is winning over a Parker,” Noah said.

“You should have seen how I had to grovel,” Jack said.

“Don’t suppose you’re a secret millionaire and can buy her affection?” Adam said.

“No,” Dirk said. “That’s not Lizzie’s style. It’s got to be something that wins her heart.”

“I don’t know,” Ben said. “I work a fireman’s salary and support an expensive teenage daughter. What have I got to offer?”

“You mean after you win back her trust?” Adam said. “Stability.”

“Maturity,” Dirk said.

“Security,” Noah added.

“That’s a lot of ’ities,” Jack said. “But you seem capable.”

“I’m also good at word games,” Ben mumbled.

“Um, does anyone else feel like a teenage girl right now?” Noah said.

They all froze.

“I have a teenage girl,” Ben said. “We seem worse.”

Edward stood. “All right, I’m taking a page out of Sophie’s playbook. Give me your phones.” They reluctantly handed over their phones, and Edward put them in a pile on the counter away from the poker table. “Another round of beers?”

Everyone gave a manly grunt and returned their focus to the game.

Ben realized he was on his own now. After making such a big fuss, they’d hung up their concern, content to abandon him. They acted calm and cool, like his love life wasn’t in ruins.

Finally, he couldn’t take it any longer. “If it means turning in my man card, fine. But I really like Lizzie. And I need help. Any thoughts on how to proceed?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Jack said, dismissively waving a hand and glancing back to his cards. “I’m sure a plan is already in motion.”

“What do you mean?”

“That’s the upside of the Parker package,” Dirk said with a peppy smile. “Get ’em on your side, and you’ll have ideas and helpers coming out the wazoo.”

“Are you saying Lizzie’s sisters will help me?”

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