Page 80 of The Valentine's Bet

“Heckyesyou were, and you are,” my best friend corrects me—well, he thinks he’s correcting me. “No matter how self-aware you are about all your problems, you’re completely blind.”

“Shut up. I’m not blind. Even if I did like her—and I’m not saying I do,” I quickly add, “I wouldn’t pursue anything with her. I spent an entire afternoon teaching Amy about red flags ... and Iamone. Considering my upbringing, I’m pretty much a walking red flag—and I stillreallywant to win the bet. You know I’m competitive.”

Weston is quiet for a few moments. “You’re not a walking red flag, Parker.”

“Yeah, I am,” I argue, growing annoyed. “I know I am. If she went out on a real date with someone like me, whose entire spiel was about how terrible love is, I would tell her to run. That’s a big red flag.”

Which is all the more reason I need to get these feelings under control. She deserves better than me.

He makes a face. “I guess.”

“Yeah, so anyway, what’s up with you?” I’m freaking desperate to change the subject. I knew that Amy staying with me might seem a little crazy in the eyes of my friends, but that’s only because they think we’re an item. Usually, my friends are spot on, but not this time.

“Same as always,” Weston says with a sigh, his entire demeanor changing. “I’m starting to think I might be more like Amy than I care to admit. I always try to come across like a player, but man ... I’m tired of the dating scene. I really just want to find someone I click with.”

My brows raise. “You’re not a player, Wes. It doesn’t suit you.”

“And being a cranky, loveless goon doesn’t suit you, either.”

I burst into laughter. “That’s rich.”

“Yeah...” Weston agrees and then grabs his drink. “Oh, what did Amy think of your place? I bet she was royally shocked when she realized you’re a secret billionaire.”

I shrug but can’t stop smiling. “She was definitely taken by surprise. It was cute.”

Weston nearly spits his soda out. “Did you just saycute?”

Oh shoot. I did.

“Well yeah, but ... I meant cute like a puppy, you know? She was all wide-eyed and surprised. She probably expected me to live in a dump or something.”

Weston leans back against the red booth cushion, studying me for a few moments. I take a second to look around at the mostly empty café. We took a late lunch today, which was a great way to avoid the noon rush.

“I think you’re in denial.”

I whip my head back around to face him. “No, I’m not. I just admitted that Imighthave a crush on her. But that’s it. It’s not going anywhere.”

Weston’s expression is completely blank. “You didn’t say anything about having a crush on her until now. But Iknewit. Dude, just tell her. I bet she likes you, too.”

“No,” I say sternly. “We’re friends, and surprisingly, I don’t want to ruin our friendship by throwing in some mixed feelings. I know how love ends, and I don’t see the point in potentially messing everything up. I’m not cut out for a serious relationship. Amy wants a happy ending and some incredible love story—like her parents have.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with that. My parents have been together for over thirty years. Granted, it hasn’t always been so happy. They’ve had some major problems in the past... But...” His voice trails off. “I actually admire them for staying together and working it out.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, staring at my hands for a few moments and then looking up. “But what if they would’ve been happier apart?”

Weston gives me a thoughtful look. “Maybe at certain points, they would’ve been happier with some space. But they’re the first to say all the trouble was worth it. And now, they’re more in love than ever. So ... I believe them.”

I nod. I’ve heard all these stories before, and maybe indirectly, I’ve seen them play out—like with his parents—but in my own life and in my family’s life, I’ve never seen a relationship come close to lasting a lifetime.

And I’m still not sure I ever will.

Which is exactly why acrushshould stay just that...

A crush.

“I wonder what her dinner plans are...” I ask myself aloud as I step into my apartment. My late lunch with Weston didn’t leave me dying of hunger or anything, but as I glance at the clock, I figure that, more than likely, Amywillbe hungry after work. The woman always comes into my apartment on a mission for a snack to tide her over until dinner.

And I highly doubt today will be the exception.

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