Page 37 of The Love Wager

“Oh, I know,” he replied, and his blue eyes moved all over her face.

The moment held, and something passed between them. It was almost as if the memory of their past—the existence of their night together—suddenly reared its hot head, and Hallie was very aware of it.

“I need another beer,” she said, climbing to her feet as she forced her mouth to stay in its smile, even though she felt unsettled all of a sudden. “Want something?”

“No, actually, I’ve got to get going,” he said, clearing his throat while picking up his beer bottle and rising to his feet.

“Well, thank you for helping me move.” Hallie walked into the kitchen, opened the pizza box, and grabbed a lukewarm slice. “Want a piece for the road?”

“Nah,” he said, shoving his feet into his shoes and pulling on his jacket. “I’m good, but thanks.”

After he left and she tossed the pizza box, Hallie started worrying. As she changed into her flannels, she wondered if that little second of weirdness was going to make things different for them. She didn’t want it to, because she really liked having him as her partner in crime.

Her phone buzzed, and she was disappointed to see it was her mom.

Mom:Have you gone in for your final dress fitting?

Yes, her mother still thought she was ten years old.

Hallie:Yes.

Mom:What did you think?

Hallie:I can’t remember. Fine, I think...?

Mom:Very funny. Are you coming over this week?

Her mother made spaghetti and meatballs almost every Wednesday night, and Hallie usually tried to be there.

But she’d avoided it for the past month as the wedding planning amped up to a frenetic pace. It was all her mom and sister could talk about, which she totally understood, but it usually devolved into a discussion of how they would have an extra plus-one to work with because Hallie wasn’t bringing anyone.

And how awkward it might be for her, since Ben was the best man.

Yes, her sister was marrying the best friend of the man who’d shredded Hallie’s heart.

They usually lowered their voices when they discussed it, as if the entire scenario were the worst possible thing that could happen to her, and she’d decided it was better to miss out on meatballs than maim a family member.

Hallie:I have plans Wednesday, but I’ll swing by on Thursday to watch Dancing Centerfolds with you.

Mom:I hope Darla gets eliminated. Her cha-cha was ass.

Hallie:But Delvin’s samba was even worse.

Mom:His bum made it okay, though.

Hallie went out onto her balcony and took a deep breath of chilly September air, thrilled by her view. The city twinkled in front of her, below her, and she didn’t think she’d ever want to move back to the suburbs.

She loved the bustle of downtown, and she also loved the utter adultness of living alone.

Her phone buzzed, but this time it was Jack.

Jack:Hey TB, are we cool?

Hallie:I am. The coolest.

Jack:For real—you didn’t get freaked about that weird moment on your living room floor?

So it hadn’t just been her. He’d felt it, too. She typed:Yeah, what WAS that?

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