Page 133 of If Our Hearts Collide

Examining the gift, I see no card or anything attached to help me determine the sender.

The balloon is shaped like the number two which is bizarre and making me wonder if the previous occupants of this apartment unit had a small child.

“Two,” I whisper, placing the bear next to my bouquet of flowers from Collins.

Nope. That’s not confusing at all.

I migrate into my bedroom, flop onto my mattress, and remind myself that a man doesn’t need to be in charge of my happiness. I have the power to decide for myself how I wantto move forward from the collective humiliation of the last few days.

Collins doesn’t need a girl throwing herself at him. He needs a woman who can be emotionally stable and who doesn’t require as much maintenance as I do.

That’s why he’s distancing himself from me.

It’s because I’m a freaking train wreck.

Who could blame someone from wanting to steer clear of my destructive path?

Rolling onto my side, I find the postcard for Glow Night at the mysterious address that is listed underneath the description.

And right here… Right now… I decide I am going to attend.

Hearing movement outside my door, followed by some aggressive singing of what I can only distinguish as the Rowdy Rowdy Chicken theme song, I am confident that Luke is out there alone and not with a girl—or multiple girls.

I drag myself out of bed and go in search of the obnoxious singing.

My ears do all the work, and I don’t have to look far.

“Hey, Luke,” I say, making his body jerk around.

“Oh, hey, Sunshine. Rough night, eh?”

My eyes narrow. “Do I look that rough?”

“No…”

“So…”

“It’s just that Meatball kidnapped you and dragged you back to his lair.”

I let out a laugh. “Yeah, pretty much. But it’s nothing of what you think.”

“Oh, I rarely think.” Luke pauses at my giggling and then scoffs. “Stop laughing. That’s not what I meant to say.”

“I was wondering if you could help me out.”

“And you forever owe me a favor? Sign me up. I love IOUs. Just name it, and I’m game.”

“I need you to help me flirt.”

Luke’s hands fly up to his face. “Oh no. This is some kind of setup with the police, isn’t it? I’m being framed.”

“No, you goof. I simply need help trying to entice men to want to take a chance on me and not scare them off.”

“This sounds like a rebound. Are you sure this is what you want?” He stares intently at me. “This is about last night?”

“Yeah, pretty much, yes to all of that.”

Luke does a bow with praying hands in front. “I’m at your service.”

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