Page 39 of The Valentine's Bet

I stare out across the skyline, wondering why the heck I ever decided to stay in the city in the first place. I mean, yeah, it’s home. Sort of. It’s the place I grew up and struggled to make it.

I should’ve taken that job in Silicon Valley.

But at the time, my dad was going through chemo, and I needed to be there for him. I run my hand along the top of the parapet wall, trying not to think about all the crap in my past I’ve had to get over.

All the heartbreak.

“Parker,” a voice calls from behind me.

Ugh. I just want to be left alone.

But instead, I turn around, putting a smile on my face—and trying to ignore Amy’s low-cut dress peeking out of her jacket. She’s trying really hard tonight to impress her date...

He’s not even paying attention to her like he should.

“This is Josh.” She gestures to the guy standing beside her. “He’s a pediatrician.”

“Wow, cool,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Parker. I’m not a pediatrician.”

Josh laughs in an arrogant way, and it grates on my nerves. “Nice to meet you, Parker.” He shakes my hand, and I pull it away. “So, what do you do for a living?”

“Uh, I’m a senior software engineer.”

“Impressive. Did you grow up in the city?” He looks me over, and I already know he’s casting judgment based on my faded jeans and sweater. I didn’t feel like dressing to the nines tonight.

“I did.”

“Me, too,” he says, grinning. “Upper East Side.”

“Makes sense,” I quip, ignoring the glare Amy’s giving me. “I was raised in the West Bronx.”

He makes a face. “Wow, really, uh, had to work your way from the ground up to get where you are. Must’ve been rough growing up out there.”

Amy’s facial expression shifts as her head tilts. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah.” My tone is curt. I don’t feel like being friendly.

“Is your dad a druggie?”

Jerk.

“Nope, just poor.” I laugh without any humor. “Hard to be a single dad with a couple of kids working a minimum wage job. Life is hard.”

“You know”—Josh turns to Amy— “this is exactly why having an education is so important. If Parker’s dad would’ve justtaken the time to get an education, he might’ve had a better shot at providing for his kids. I mean, it looks like your friend here turned out okay, but who knows where his sibling ended up.”

My jaw ticks. I hold back the urge to punch him right in the face. After all, Ididget into a lot of fights in school. I know how to throw one.

“That’s a pretty big assumption,” Amy interjects. “And a little uncalled—”

“And that’s why you really should consider furthering your own education,” Josh says, continuing his rant.

“I mean, I suppose I could look into master’s programs over the upcoming week. It just might be hard to balance with my new job. But, anyway...”

Wait... What?

“Why do you need a master’s degree, Amy? You have a great job.”

“Of course, someone like yourselfwouldsay that.” Josh chuckles.

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