Page 90 of The Valentine's Bet

Ugh, she’s gorgeous.

“So, what are everyone’s plans for Valentine’s Day?” Maeve asks once we’re all seated, waters have been ordered, and garlic bread is on the table.

“Well, I don’t know about you all, but I don’t have any plans...” Dalton looks over to me, shooting me a smirk. “Unless you have any ideas.”

“She’ll probably be accompanying me to a jazz concert,” Parker chimes in, his words causing Dalton to frown.

“Why’s that?” Dalton levels with him, furrowing his brow.

“The bet,” I answer before Parker can give any other explanation. “But that’s the same night The Band Allen is playing...”

“Right. But you’ll probably be seeing the jazz band.” Parker shoots me a look.

“Right,” I mutter, using Parker’s famous response that I’ve now adopted.

“Oh, Ilovejazz music!” Maeve beams, interrupting the conversation. “I hope I’m not being too forward, but if Dalton and Amy have plans to see The Band Allen, I’d love to go with you to the jazz concert.”

Parker’s jaw tenses, but I don’t think anyone notices other than me. “Yeah, that’d be cool ... but that would also mean Amy’s bailing on me.”

“Well, I mean, itisValentine’s Day, man.” Dalton chuckles, shaking his head. “I might want to spend it with my woman.”

I swear something in Parker’s eyes darkens, and for a split second, I think he might come across the table at Dalton ... but he laughs instead. “Isn’t it hard to call someoneyourwoman when you’re not officially dating?” His voice holds a hint of challenge—and I donotlike the look that Dalton just shot back at him.

“I think he was just being nice,” Maeve intervenes, placing her hand on Parker’s forearm. “He’s crazy about Amy.”

“Yeah, I am. I just wanted to take things slow for her.”

I tilt my head. “For me? What do you mean?”

“Well.” Dalton turns to me. “It’s just that ... I knew even before you told me that you don’t have a lot of experience with relationships. And I don’t mean this in a bad way, but you seem to be nervous every time we kiss...”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Parker says before I can say anything else. “She kisses just fine. I happen to think she’s a really good—”

“Excuse me?” Dalton nearly explodes as he turns to me. “You said you werejust friends.So what, you kiss him, too?”

“No,” I say quickly. “It only happened one time... On New Year’s. And only because I really wanted my first kiss. He only did it because he felt sorry for me.”

“Wow, okay.” Dalton shakes his head, throwing his hands up. “And now what? Youlivewith him? That’s ahugered flag if I’ve ever seen one.”

“My apartment flooded,” I say, exasperated. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go...”

“Uh, a hotel,” Dalton snaps, pushing back from the table. “You know what, Amy? I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend tonight, but I don’t think this is going to work out.”

“Dalton...” My voice trails off as he shakes his head at me.

“Come on, Maeve. You don’t want to seriously date this guy now, do you?” He looks to her and then back to me. “He’s a jerk. I should’ve known what was going on when he was standing outside the apartment building waiting for you after our first date.”

The lump in my throat prevents me from saying anything more as Dalton storms out, Maeve hot on his heels and trying to calm him down.

Tears well up in my eyes as I feel the pang of rejection...

And then anger.

“Whydid you say that?” I demand, my voice shaking. Parker’s head drops. “YouknewI hadn’t told him yet.”

“He insulted you.”

“He didn’t. And you know what?” I toss my napkin down on the table and stand to my feet. “He was just being honest about the fact I’ve been nervous about kissing him.”

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