Page 45 of The Valentine's Bet

Rubbing the back of my neck, I navigate to Facebook, typing her name in the search bar.Amy Gibson. Super common name.

But there she is.

Her bright baby blues reaching into my chest and tapping on my heart.

No freaking thanks.

I exit out of her profile before I go creeping. I don’t want to see anything. It’s better to just wait until we’re together in person. Otherwise, I might actually start to...

No. I won’t fall for her. It’s just the kiss messing with my head.

My phone vibrates and I swoop it up, freezing as I read the screen.

Oh no.

I hit the answer. “Hey, Brittany.”

“Hey...” Her voice trails off in a way that makes my heart sink.

“Is everything okay, sis?”

“Yeah, no. I don’t know.”

“Is Dad okay?” I ask immediately, thinking back to the last time she called me at work.

“Yeah, he’s fine. Cranky, but you know that’s just how he is.” She laughs, though there’s not even a hint of humor in her voice. “It’s Cal.”

“Your fiancé.” I grimace, leaning back in my chair. “What’s wrong with him? Did he get arrested for streaking again?”

“No...” She lets out a sniffle, and I freeze.

“Oh ... he broke it off, didn’t he?” I say quietly.

“Yeah, and he didn’t even give me a warning—he took back the ring and everything. I don’t know why I let myself fall for him over and over. I just ... I want to belovedsobadly, Parker. I don’t understand.” She breaks into sobs, and as much as I want to tell herI told you so,I don’t.

“It’s okay,” I say, attempting to comfort her. “He was kind of always a jerk.”

“Yeah, well, he wasn’talways.”

I stop myself from arguing. “Okay.”

“Can I come stay with you? He wants me out by the end of the day, and I don’t have a place secured. I don’t want to stay with Dad. He’ll just threaten to go beat him up, and sometimes he actually makes good on his threats.”

“Oh, I know.” I grimace. “You can stay with me. Do you have anything you need to pack from there? Do I need to come and help you? I don’t mind.”

“I think I can get it all. I seriouslyjustmoved in. I hadn’t even unpacked all the boxes yet.” She groans on the other line. “I’m so stupid. I always think he’s going to change, and heneverdoes. I don’t know why I can’t tell him no.”

“I don’t know,” I say, not wanting to bring up the trauma from our childhood that she’s never really addressed. “But you’re gonna be just fine without him, sis. You’ve got a great job at the firm. What did you do with your apartment? Do you still have your lease?”

“I paid to get out of it, like a true idiot.”

“Why didn’thepay for it?” I ask through gritted teeth. “He’s the one who asked you to move in.”

“Not every guy is like you, Parker.” Her voice is snippy, but then she sighs. “Sorry.”

“It’s all good. Did you have a good New Year’s with Dad?”

“He spent most of it rattling on and on about you not being there.”