The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

            “Did she say why?” She couldn’t imagine anyone not being into Jack. He was hilarious, charming, and damn pretty to look at; what the hell was wrong with Kayla? Even though he hadn’t said a lot to Hallie about her, she suspected he’d kind of been hoping it would pan out into a real relationship.

            “Ah, you know,” he murmured, his eyes still on the TV.

            “No, I don’t know.”

            He shook his head and made a dismissive noise.

            “Well, what did she say exactly?”

            “Hal.” He started laughing, and the sadness in his eyes went away when he looked at her, thank God. “Settle your ass down—she just wasn’t feeling me. It happens.”

            She laughed with him, because regardlesss of everything else, she was so incredibly happy Jack was back that it was hard to stop smiling. She liked Alex as a romantic partner, but she realized she had the most fun hanging out with Jack. They’d gobbled down ice cream as they watched TV, and he hadn’t even judged when she’d licked the bowl and then helped him finish his ice cream as well.

            Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Alex, but she didn’t feel like texting him until after Jack left. But when she looked at the text, it read: Can I call you? It’s important.

            Hallie swallowed and wondered what was up. Was he regretting saying yes to the weekend in Vail? She responded: Of course.

            “I have to take a call—I’ll be right back. Just sit and watch the movie,” she said as she stood and went into the bedroom.

            “Like this guy will let me do anything else,” Jack muttered, scratching Tigger’s big head.

            She went into the bedroom, closed the door, and sat down on her bed. When the phone rang, she answered with, “Tigger loves his toys.”

            “Oh. Good.” Hallie heard Alex clear his throat before he said, “Listen, I’m really bad at this stuff, so I’m just going to say it. You seem really great, but I don’t think this is going to work.”

            Hallie’s heart started beating in her neck as he continued to speak uncomfortably. “Some guy is going to be really lucky, because you’re an awesome girl, but I just don’t think I’m that guy.”

            Hallie felt a little light-headed. “You’re, um, you’re breaking up with me?”

            “I . . . I guess I am.” Alex’s voice sounded thick. “It’s not you, it really is just a me thing.”

            “Okay. Uh, got it.”

            “Hallie, please don’t—”

            “Is this because I invited you to the wedding? Because if it’s too soon, I’m fine—”

            “No, the wedding sounded like a blast. I just . . . I just don’t think we’re meant to be together.”

            Hallie felt suffocated with the weight of rejection. She wasn’t enough for him. He didn’t want her. He didn’t want to go to the wedding with her. He’d rather be single than be with her. She managed to croak, “Okay, um, I have to go. Take care, Alex.”

            “I’m sorry, Hal—”

            She disconnected the call before she could embarrass herself further. Tears immediately filled her eyes, and she bit down on her lip to keep herself quiet. She felt like sobbing, like giving in to a big, sad cry, but Jack was on the other side of that door and she couldn’t bear the thought of him seeing her like that.

            Especially when he’d also gotten dumped and was handling it like a champ.

            But every time she got close to having her emotions under control, she thought of her sister’s wedding—where she and Ben would both be in the wedding party—and she lost it again.

            The tears wouldn’t stop, and after a while she forgot about Jack entirely.

            Until she heard the knock on the door. “Hal? Are you okay? Did you fall asleep?”

            She wondered if she were quiet he’d assume the latter and leave.

            “If you don’t make a noise in the next ten seconds, I’m coming in just in case you’ve fallen and can’t get up.”