Page 2 of The Valentine's Bet

“There’s nothing wrong with you.” Eliza counters my negativity, which is just as annoying as it is helpful. I know the truth, butugh,something about being all alone the day after Christmas makes me feel like wallowing right now. “You’re one of the best people I know. You just need to suck it up, search the internet, and find something fun to do this evening. Put yourself out there!”

I glance over at the tiny clock hanging on the wall and squint. “But it’s already six-thirty. And I don’t even know where to go.”

“Well, I can tell you one thing. Don’t go into Central Park alone after dark. That’s not a good idea.”

I snort. “We lived in Chicago. I think I can handle myself. I’m not worried about getting mugged. I’ve done my homework. Plus, you know I’ve got that pepper spray on my keychain.”

She laughs. “Maybe you should see if there’s some type of local singles get-together tonight. They used to have meet-ups at the Crooked Lagoon back in Chicago. I know a few people that went to them.”

“Do you really think I could meetthe oneat something like that?”

“Girl, I fell through a rotten ramp and met the one. I think your odds are much higher than mine were. It’s not like you’re going on Tinder or something. Most people who go to those types of events wantto find the right person.”

“Or they just want to hook up,” I say, my lips turning downward.

“Maybe,” Eliza hums. “But you can usually spot those people. They’ll make flirty advances and want to leave early.”

“Yeah, okay.” I make a mental note. “I’ll steer clear of men who make any flirty advances or offers to leave early.”

“Maybe just be ... cautious. Noteveryperson who flirts or leaves early is a red flag. Some men might be flirting with you because they genuinely like you—and they might want to leave early if the event runs too late.”

I raise a brow. “This is contradictory.”

“You just have to feel them out,” Eliza says. “You can do it. Just read their body language and whatnot. Of course, I thought I was reading Nick correctly and it wasallwrong. He was in love with me while I thought we were just friends.”

“I think deep down you knew,” I reason, my heart fluttering at the thought of finding that kind of love for myself. “And it’ssoromantic. I wish I had that kindof story.”

“Your story is just beginning! And I bet it’s gonna be epic, considering you just moved to one of the greatest cities ever. You have so many opportunities. Starting now. Go find that singles night! There’s bound to be one,” she says with an audible smile. “There’s plenty of people in the city who probably feel just like you do.”

“True,” I say, putting her on speaker and opening Google. “Do you think I should just try to find the closest one? Or one that looks the most promising?”

“Probably the closest—unless the most promising one isn’t much farther away. Start slow tonight.”

I nod in agreement. “Okay.” I look over the page, scanning the events that are popping up. “Millionaire Singles Mingle,” I read aloud, frowning. “I definitely donotfit into that category.”

“You could go anyway.” Eliza laughs. “Fake it till you make it, am I right? I bet it would be a real hoot.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll pass. The moment I walk in the door wearing my twenty-dollar sweater, they’d probably make me leave.”

“But maybe you’d catch the eye of a handsome, rich man before they kick you out,” Eliza coos before giggling. “That would be totally wild.”

I perk up. “So should I go?”

“What else is there?”

“Let’s see. There’s a speed-dating event a couple blocks from me. I mean, it looks like it might be fun. I’ve never speed-dated before.”

“Isn’t that where you just switch partners after, like, five minutes of talking? That could be fun—and you’d have a chance to meet a lot of people, too.”

“Okay,” I say, sitting up. “I’m going. It starts at eight. That’s plenty of time for me to get ready.”

“Yay! This is gonna be great. And you know how to be New York-pretty.”

“I have no idea what that means, but absolutely. Yes. I’ll look all business.”

“But fun.”

“Yeah, business and fun.”

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