Page 20 of The Love Wager

Hallie started thinking, racking her brain for something she had that might be valuable to him. She looked around her crappy living room—maybe he wanted an Ansel Adams coffee table book?—and just saw crap.

Hallie:Do you like baseball?

Jack:Yes.

Hallie:When my ex and I broke up (he was very awful so don’t judge me) I took an autographed baseball of his just to make him sad.

Jack:You fiend. I don’t really get into signed memorabilia, but who signed it?

Hallie:The Cubs.

Jack:As in, Chicago? And which Cubs players?

Hallie:All of them that were on the World Series team.

Jack:Hold please. I need a minute.

Hallie took her bowl and can into the kitchen, set them in the sink, and went into her room. For some reason, she always felt more alone when she was sitting in the living room at night than when she was in the bedroom.

Hallie:WTF are you doing?

Jack:Trying to remember to breathe. Are you telling me that you have an MLB baseball that is signed by the entire 2016 World Series team?

Hallie:Yup.

Jack:I went to Game 7 with my brother, my dad, and my uncle Mack. It was amazing.

Hallie:So the ball works to incentivize your love?

Jack:Absolutely it does. Holy shit, my father will cry like a baby and deem me the favorite child if I give that to him for Christmas.

Hallie:So you have daddy issues. Got it.

Jack:Very funny. This wager is brilliant. I literally will not give up and will date my ass off, just because I need that ball before Christmas.

Hallie:It’s September, dumbass. You really think you’ll find love by then?

Jack:I will die trying. Doesn’t the free airfare put you in the same frame of mind?

Hallie:I mean, I guess. I AM dying for a vacation, but since I’ll still have to pay for lodging and daily spending, it feels like something that I’ll put off forever.

Jack:This is only fun if you’re trying, Hal.

Hallie:I will try, I promise.

Jack:What if I throw in 5 nights at the hotel of your choice?

Hallie:Ooh, I think you’ve got a deal.

Jack:I’m only agreeing because I know I won’t lose, btw.

Hallie pulled back her comforter and climbed into bed.Sure you won’t.

Jack:Hey—here’s my number so we can text instead of going through the app.

Hallie snorted as she added him to her contacts.You’re so obsessed with me it’s disgusting. Here’s my number.

Jack:Pretty quick with those digits, Piper.

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