Page 31 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Yeah, and this one is great. Funny. Sad, too. But as expected, the hero and heroine get their happily ever after.”

I give him a smug look. “It’s just not realistic.”

“Maybe not, but it’s fun to imagine it is. Two people falling in love. I understand why so many are obsessed with the genre. You should give the book a try, though.”

“Nah.”

“I bet it makes you cry.”

I narrow my eyes. “Doubt it. Can’t remember the last time I cried about anything.”

That’s not entirely true, but I keep my awful breakup to myself.

“Take the challenge, then. Read the book, every word, from front to back. No one has ever made it through without getting emotional. And if you do, you’re dead inside.”

“Did it get to you?” I wish I hadn’t have powered my phone off so I can search for spoilers. But I’m a good sport.

“It was sad as fuck. I’m not ashamed to admit that. But I guess you can’t handle it.”

I frown. He holds out his hand, waiting for me to give him the book, but I keep a firm grip on it.

“I’m going to read it for no other reason than to prove you wrong.”

He chews on his bottom lip. “Great. Stubborn Susan is at it again. Just remember, those who try to be tough are the ones who have the furthest to fall. Wishin’ ya all the luck, though.”

“Pfft.”

He lifts a brow. “Before I forget, there is one rule to the game: you aren’t allowed to read the synopsis on the inside cover. You have to go in completely and utterly blind. So hand over the dust jacket. Can’t have you be tempted to cheat.”

My curiosity nearly gets the best of me, but I unwrap it and give it to him. Jake places the sleeve on the shelf where the book originally was.

Now that it’s bare, I look down at the dark brown leather cover that has a single rose on it, then read the embossed one-word title that’s printed in red—YOURS.

I’m not sure what could be in the pages that pulls at everyone’s emotional heartstrings, but then again, I’m not like everyone.

I’ve been raised to be tough as nails.

Fearless.

To be a mold of my father, even if he looks at me like I’m a disappointment. For years, he’s told me he should’ve had a son. Instead, he has two daughters, and my sister isn’t interested in the family business. She’s too busy living her own adventurous life.

I’m it.

I’m all my father has, and he’s convinced I’m unsuitable for the job.

As I move to the couch and sit, Jake follows me. “You hungry? We never ate.”

“Oh, you’re right. I typically skip breakfast, but I could eat something. Want me to help?”

Jake lifts his brow. “What’s your favorite dish?”

“A teacup. Gold rimmed.”

He snickers. “You eat teacups?”

“Oh. Clearly I haven’t had enough caffeine today.” I shake my head, feeling stupid. “Um. Tuna. I don’t cook much. Or ever.”

“We’ve got five weeks to change that,” he tells me, waving me over. I grab my lantern and set it on the island. He opens the fridge and takes out the ingredients before shutting the door. “You said you don’t eat tons of carbs, right?”

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