Page 31 of The Valentine's Bet

“I’m an accountant for a firm in Manhattan. It’s not the best job, but I’m working my way up.”

“I get that.” My eyes drift past him to where Parker and Gretchen are standing, and much to my surprise, I’m met with a hardstare—no, maybeglare—from Parker. I look away and back to Kenny.

“So what’re your plans for New Year’s Eve?” I ask.

“Oh, I don’t know. I usually go to a little hole-in-the-wall dive bar on the East Side with my brother and some of our friends. The pickings are slim when it comes to women, but the beer is good—and that’s all that matters on New Year’s Eve.”

I laugh, assuming that he’s making a joke. “I suppose so. I’m going to a rooftop party. It’s my first year in New York City, so I really want to get a feel for it.”

“Have you been with a New Yorker yet?”

“What?” I say, furrowing my brow. “I mean, I’ve finally started making some friends.”

He leans in, his breath tickling my ear. “Buthave youbeenwith a New Yorker yet? They’re better than anyone else.”

My face grows red. “Oh, no. No, I haven’t actually been—” I stop myself, not even wanting to admit to that.

“It’s all good.” He chuckles. “I can tell you’re a shy girl. It’s hot. I like that type.”

Chapter Ten

Parker

“So, what’re your plans for tomorrow evening?” Gretchen asks, but I barely hear her. My eyes are glued on the creep hitting on Amy. I recognize the type. He’s after one thing tonight, and he saw Amy alone...

“I have a party to go to,” I finally answer her absentmindedly. Don’t get me wrong, Gretchen is cute and even nice, but I’m not into her. “You?”

“I don’t know yet,” she says timidly. “But maybe we could exchange numbers? I’d love to pick your brain again.”

Ripping my eyes from Amy’s trainwreck, I finally gaze down at her. “I don’t give my number out. I’m sorry. You can add me on Facebook or something, but I’m not really looking for anything right now.”

“Oh...” Her voice trails off as she glances in Amy’s direction. “I see.”

I have no idea what she might or might not be insinuating, but I don’t even acknowledge it. “It was nice to meet you, though. You seem great, and I have no doubt you’ll find something to do tomorrow evening. But...” I pause to sigh. “It looks like I need to go and rescue my friend from that creep.”

“They look like they’re getting along just fine,” Gretchen reasons, looking confused. “I don’t see why she needs to be rescued.”

“Lots of red flags,” I answer curtly, then down the rest of my hot chocolate. I toss it in the trash and head toward the two of them, where they stand on the edge of the grass. Thank goodness the band is taking a break.

“How about we head back to my pl—”

“Hey,” I interject, wrapping my arm around Amy’s shoulders. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

She looks up at me, confused. “Um...”

“This is my sister—and yeah, she’s single,” I say before Amy can even process what I’m doing. “But you don’t really fit the bill of what she’s into. She prefers men with more class.”

The guy’s jaw ticks. “What are you tryin’ to say? I don’t have class?”

“Parker...” Amy’s eyes grow wide. “What are you—”

“Yeah, that’sexactlywhat I’m trying to say.” I drop my arm from around her and take a step forward, encroaching on the guy’spersonal space. “I saw you pick her out and come over here, acting like a predator. She’snotgoing back to your place.”

The guy growls and steps toward me. “Women like a man who knows what he wants.”

“Stop it, Parker.” Amy grabs my arm. “He wasn’t beingthatbad.”

Not THAT bad.

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