Page 16 of The Valentine's Bet

I let out a sigh of defeat, not sure what to think of the matches so far.

Chin up. I’m only halfway through thenight.

For all I know,the onemight be on his way to my table right now.

I nearly squeal with excitement at the thought.

“Oh, you’ve got to bekiddingme,” a way too familiar voice says, immediately killing all my excitement. “How the heck didweget matched?”

“Wow, great to see you, too, Parker.” I glare up at him. “Would you like to talk about the promiscuity level of New York women, too?”

He cringes. “No thanks.”

I fold my arms across my chest as he hovers above the chair. “Are you going to at least sit down?”

He sighs. “I guess.” The chair legs screech as he drags it back, and I burst into laughter as everyone in the room turns to look at him. He hasnoreaction and sits down, completely unfazed. “What?”

“Nothing.” I giggle, shaking my head at him. “How have your dates been going?”

“Horrible, per usual.” Parker taps a finger on the table. “But I’m honestly surprised you haven’t found your one true love yet.”

“I’ll find him, but maybe not tonight,” I say with a shrug. “Regardless, I’m not giving up. I refuse to become a cynic likeyouare.”

“Wow, I’m so inspired.” He smirks. “That was a jaw-dropping pep talk,Amy.” The way he says my name makes my heart flip-flop in my chest—and I’m pretty sure it’s out of pureirritation.

“One of my coworkers met his fiancée at one of these events.” I tip my chin up as if to challenge hisnegative views.

“Oh yeah? Well, good for them. Someone won the lottery, too, but I’m still not buying a ticket.”

“Gosh, are youalwaysthis negative?”

“Maybe.” He takes a sip of water. “But especially when I’m hungry, so I’m ordering food.”

My stomach growls at the mention. “I think I will, too.”

Parker flags down the waiter and orders nachos. I get mozzarella sticks. Normally, I wouldn’t eat something like that in front of a date...

But Parker is no date.

“I wonder why they put us together?” I muse.

Parker shoves a nacho in his mouth. “No idea, but I doubt you like jazz music.”

I tilt my head. “Idolike jazz music, actually.”

“Huh. Wouldn’t have guessed that.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover,Parker.”

He chuckles, and then we spend the rest of the date eating our food in silence.

Just as the bell rings, the waiter returns to pick up our empty plates.

“I’ll pick up her tab,” Parker says as he stands to his feet. “Put it on Parker Harris.”

“I can pay for my own food, thanks,” I snap, furrowing my brow.

The waiter looks to Parker for an answer.

---