The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

            She’d worn date clothes to work that day, because she was meeting Alex for drinks and appetizers as soon as she logged out. She and Jack had gone out on two more meh dates that ended with them at Taco Hut, but after the last one, she’d started talking to a guy named Alex, and he seemed surprisingly promising.

            He was an adorable blond real estate agent who was actually fun to text; witty and quick, just like Jack.

            And when he’d called her, there had been flirty chemistry over the phone.

            “Hallie.” Claire, the new receptionist, popped her head into Hallie’s office and said, “There’s a Ruthie Someone here to see you.”

            “Oh, shit.”

            The receptionist looked concerned. “I’m sorry, was I supposed to—”

            “No, no, it’s a me thing, Claire. Can you please send her back?”

            “Sure thing.”

            Hallie breathed in deeply through her nose, and before she could even think, Ruthie ran into her office, closed the door behind her, and sat down in the guest chair. “What in the actual fuck, Hal?”

            Ruthie didn’t look mad, or even sad. She looked . . . confused, maybe? She was wearing a long black dress, paired with a captain’s hat and red glasses—glasses through which she peered at Hallie.

            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.