Page 11 of The Valentine's Bet

“But yet you keep going to dating events,” Mia shoots back.

John chuckles. “She’s got a point, you know.”

“That’s only because Weston needs a wingman. Plus, the event organizers work really hard to make sure there’s an even number of people. Which means, if I don’t show up, I’ll make their lives more complicated. I don’t want to do that.”

“Sounds like a convenient excuse to me.” John bursts into laughter.

“I think, deep down,” Weston says, “weallhave the desire to find love. Whether you care to admit it or not.”

“Oh boy, here we go,” I grumble, leaning back in my chair. “I think this might be my cue to go home.”

I’m joking. And honestly, as hard of a time my friends like to give me, I love them. They’re like the family that I always wanted—my chosen family.

Unfortunately, my younger sister and I aren’t super close, though we do keep in touch more than some. I typically only see her aroundthe holidays, but we check in on each other from time to time. We have a trauma bond, as my therapist would say.

My parents were as toxic as they come, fighting and bickering nonstop throughout my childhood. I’m pretty sure things got thrown, but I was too busy distracting Britt from the noise to know the details. And then, after their messy divorce...

They became serial daters.

There’snothingworse than having people constantly coming in and out of your life for the last decade of your childhood.

But my friends, especially Weston, have been there for me through some really dark times. Which is also part of the reason I keep letting him drag me to these silly singles events. I couldn’t care less about relationships, but I knowhedoes. And he deserves to find love.

“So, how’s work?” John’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “I heard you got promoted recently.”

“Yeah! I’m officially a senior software engineer,” I answer, smiling for real.

“Ooh!Look at you.” Mia beams. “I’m happy for you. You work really hard, Parker. You deserve it.”

“Thanks.”

“And there’s nothing like having your best friend as your boss,” Weston adds.

“Nothing like getting to boss you around all day,” I joke, chuckling.

“Are you doing anything to celebrate your promotion?” Mia asks.

“Well, I’ve been eyeing some VIP concert tickets to see TM Guy.”

“Nothing like seeing a jazz band for fun.” John makes a face. “I don’t know how or why you do that to yourself.”

“It’ssoothing,” I reason. “And the last time I checked, you enjoyed it when I took you to that show in Harlem.”

“He’s not wrong,” Mia points out. “I believe your exact words were: ‘Your life was forever changed.’” She laughs, then turns to me. “Who are you going with this time?”

“Uh ... nobody.”

“What?” She shakes her head. “You can’t go alone!”

“I do a lot of things alone. I really don’t mind it.” I shrug.

“Yeah, but don’t you get tired of that?” Weston jumps in. “It’s gotta get old going to things by yourself all the time.”

“I’ve been doing it for most of my life. I guess it’s just become normal for me. Besides, I don’t really know anyone who appreciates jazz music the way I do. I mean, aside from my dad—he’s the one who got me into it. I considered inviting him, but ... you know how he can be.”

John frowns. “Didn’t he get arrested for picking a fight with another concertgoer the last time you two went?”

“Yeah, and the guy was like twenty years older than him. It washorrible.”

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