Page 3 of The Valentine's Bet

Eliza giggles. “You’re so cute. But seriously, dress like the hottie you are. I’m literally so excited for you. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

“I wish I could just FaceTime you through the whole thing.”

“You got this,” she encourages. “Go get ’em, Amy. Just be the bright light that you are and show those New York guys what they’re missing out on. Oh, and make sure you tell meeverythingafter it’s over—and please let me know when you make it back to your apartment safe. You know the drill.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, saluting though she can’t see. “I’ll text you during the event if things get dicey.”

“Deal. Take pictures of the place, too. I love the NYC vibe. It’s so amazing.”

“Okay, okay.” I stand to my feet and head for the bathroom. I have no idea what I’m going to wear, but there’s bound to be somethingpromising in the pile of new clothes that my mom and I bought the weekend I moved in. “Have a good night and tell Nick and the rest of the fam that I said hi—all that good stuff.”

“I will,” she chimes. “Love ya.”

“Love you, too,” I say before hanging up.

Phew. Eliza’s right.

Idohave a lot to offer.

And it’s about time I shake off the holiday blues and put myself out there.

A smile spreads across my face as I look in the mirror. Even with all the holiday eating I partook in, my complexion ison point. I run my fingers through my dark waves, wondering if I should wash and attempt to tame the beast of curls or work with what I have.

So many decisions.

My stomach flips as I start the shower. A fresh city deserves a fresh me. My cheeks flush as I step under the warm water, imagining what might become of tonight. Maybe I’ll be walking out with a second date...

Maybe I’ll experience love at first sight.

Wouldn’t that be something?

I imagine myself calling up Eliza tomorrow, telling her all about some dreamy, dark-haired, handsome stranger with eyes that see right to my soul. My heart thuds in my chest at the thought of that first kiss...

And all the things that might follow.

Roses, date nights, parties, and movie nights in. I want it all so much I can hardly stand it.

So tonight, I’m going to put my best foot forward and give it my all.

Why not try to get my first kiss by New Year’s? What do I have to lose?

I reach for my phone and turn on “Welcome to New York”by Taylor Swift. Her voice fills the bathroom and I sing along, feeling lighter than ever.

Tonight is going to be special.

I just know it.

Chapter Two

Parker

Tonight is going to be a freaking disaster. I just know it.

I let out the most annoyed sigh possible, catching my best friend’s gaze.

“It’ll be fun,” Weston says, rolling his eyes. “You need to get out more, Parker. You can’t just sit in your apartment all alone. That’s not healthy for you.”

“Alright, well, first of all,” I begin, taking in a deep breath of freezing New York air and burying my hands deeper into my leather jacket, “I donotjust sit around in my apartment all alone. And secondly, I don’t care about going to these single-mingle shenanigans. There are a lot better ways to spend my time.”

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