Page 74 of The Valentine's Bet

“When a guy is dating someone, do they still check out other women?”

I nearly choke on air.What are we, in middle school again?“Uh, I mean, I don’t think it’s very respectful to do something like that, but plenty of men do it.”

“You did it.”

“What?” My sharp tone grabs her attention.

“Brad said that girl dumped water on you because you were checking out someone else.”

Gosh, this conversation is weird tonight. I am not awake enough for this.

“Uh ... No.” I rub the back of my neck. “I wasn’tchecking someone out.She just didn’t like what I had to say.”

“Oh,” Amy says, and ends that topic there, thank goodness. I don’t know how in the world I’d be able to tell her that my gaze was stuck onher.

“If a guy is into you, he won’t look around at other women.” I keep my tone even as we step out into the lobby, her shoes continuing to make strange squishy noises as we make it to the door. “There are plenty of beautiful people in the world, but a respectful man will keep his eyes on you.”

Amy looks up at me, her baby blue eyes lingering long enough to make my heart do something weird in my chest. “That’s romantic, Parker.”

I laugh. “No, that’s just being a good person, Amy. Comeon, let’s go home.”

“Whoa...” Amy’s mouth drops open the moment she steps inside my place. I should’ve known this would happen.

I shut the door. “It’s just an apartment.”

“It’smassive.”

“Yeah, I guess.” I rub the back of my neck as I step around her, letting her stand there and take it all in. Urban art hangs on the walls, and someone might think I had good taste based on the luxurious décor—but actually, I bought it fully furnished.

“Why...”

I look over at Amy, who’s still awe-struck, her lips parted and her wet shoes leaving a dark spot on the rug. “Why, what?”

“I had no idea you werethisrich.”

Right. That’s what everyone says.

“I do alright.”

“This place must be super expensive.”

“I got a good deal,” I reason.

Amy looks around once more before glancing at her shoes. “Oh jeez, I’m a mess.” Her cheeks go red as she leans over and unzips her boots.

“It’s been a long day for you.” I set her bag down on the light gray bamboo flooring and go take her wet shoes from her. “I’ll set these outside to dry.”

“Outside?”

“Yeah. On the terrace.”

“You have a terrace?”

I hesitate. “Yes.”

Amy blinks a few times, but then goes to strip off her wet socks. “What do you do for work again?”

“I’m a senior software engineer...”

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