Page 44 of The Love Wager

Hallie tried to come up with good words. “Ruthie, I wanted to talk to you before you saw—”

“That all of your stuff is gone? Too late, bruh. I can’t believe you moved out.”

“Okay, here’s the thing—” Hallie started.

“It’s because of my allergies, isn’t it?”

“What?”

Ruthie said, “I know that you want a cat, Hallie.”

Hallie’s mouth snapped shut. She’d wanted a cat for a hot minute after splitting with Ben, but she’d literally never given it a thought since. “Oh, Ruthie, I don’t—”

“I get it, but can I at least go with you to pick it out?”

Hallie didn’t even know what to say. Except, “What?”

“Because I’ve always wanted a cat, too. If I were you, I would absolutely move out, too, if it meant that I could have one. But since I can’t, can I at least take a shit ton of allergy meds and tag along?”

“Um—”

“Oh, God.” Ruthie’s eyes got huge. “Was it something else? Was there some other reason that you’re moving out?”

“No, um, it’s just the, uh, the cat thing.”

•••

“So you’re seriously going to the shelter with her tomorrow?”

Hallie grinned and raised her glass. “To cowardice.”

Alex raised his, as well, and said, “To cowardice. And cats.”

Hallie giggled; she was having a great time. She and Alex had downed a plate of nachos and were starting on mozzarella sticks, and they were both still having fun. She couldn’t believe it, but things felt kind of promising with him.

“I need to look up good cat names,” Hallie said.

“What about Whiskers?” Alex asked.

“Cliché.”

“Garfield?” he suggested.

“Tired.”

“Ann-Margret?”

Hallie raised her eyebrows and tilted her head. “Now you’re talking.”

They spent the next ten minutes laughing as Alex googled terrible cat names. She excused herself to go to the restroom, and the minute she entered the hallway, she turned and waited for Jack.

Who did not disappoint.

He came around the corner, wearing his usual sarcastic smile. He lookedreallygood in his black sweater vest, white button-down, and black pants, she thought.

He was a very well-dressed dater.

“So...?” he asked, the scent of his expensive-but-subtle cologne finding her nose.

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