Page 59 of The Valentine's Bet

“Yeah, for sure. I got you a water,” I point to the glass in front of her. “I got here early.”

“Thanks.” She smiles. “That was sweet of you.”

I freeze at the comment.

That was sweet of me?

Since when does she say stuff like that to me?

“Yeah, well, I just didn’t want you to be jealous that I already have something to drink,” I say stupidly.

She chuckles. “Whatever you say, Parker. I was just thanking you for the water. You don’t have to make it weird.”

“I’m just being a goodfriend.You’re the one being weird.”

She makes a face that causes me to cringe. “What’s up with you today? Are you mad because I forgot to text you back the other day and let you know for the hundredth time that I’m fine? Because I was in the middle of a meeting, and your message popped up on my screen—and I’m not used to youeverkeeping up with me.”

Whoa, that was loaded.

“No. I don’t care that you didn’t text me back,” I snap, grabbing up my water. “And sorry for caring about your ankle. It’s just that ... you live in the city alone, and you know ... you can’t really get around all that well right now, so I—”

“I don’t need you to worry about—”

“I’m not worried,” I cut her off. “I just wanted to make sure that you were getting to work and wherever else safely.”

“Okay, then,” she quips, her eyes falling to her phone that’s now in her hands. “I guess since I’m half gimpy, you’ll have to accompany me to Matchmakers in Heaven tomorrow night.”

My stomach knots up. “What the heck is that? Do they pair you with a dead person?”

She rolls her eyes. “Jeez, that’s not morbid at all. It’s a matchmaking event that requires attendees to fill out a detailed questionnaire, and then they pair you with someone they think you’ll get along with the best. I was thinking we could do it together.”

“So, you already signed me up?”

“Yeah.” She shrugs. “I’ll text you the link to the questionnaire.”

“But what if they putustogether?” I blurt out, wishing I hadn’t.

She looks up from her phone just as mine chimes with the notification. “Whatifthey do?”

I hold her gaze. “Then, I guess I’ll have to actually claim you as my good friend.”

Her lips turn downward and she sighs. “What an honor.”

Man, and she saidIwas the one acting weird. She must not be having a great day or something.

“How was work this morning?” I change the subject, ignoring the link she just sent me.

“Um.” She pauses. “It was fine. I just have a lot on my mind right now.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know.” She avoids my gaze, and I can’t decide if that’s because whatever is on her mind ismyfault or she just doesn’t feellike sharing. No matter the reason, I’m relieved when the waitress interrupts us to take our order.

Amy remains joyful as she speaks with the blonde waitress, and I’m left feeling confused.

Is she happy with everyone but me?

Or did I mess something up when she came in?

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