The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

            “So,” she said, unable to believe what he was offering to do, “you will let me tell them you’re my boyfriend and you’ll act like you love me?”

            “Hallie Piper,” he said, his voice low and husky as he looked at her, “from the second we enter the airport to depart until the moment we return home, I will be head-over-heels, worship-the-ground-you-walk-on, wildly obsessed and madly in love with you.”

            Hallie felt a little buzzed at the sound of those words. God, he is good, she thought as he looked at her like he meant every word. His jaw flexed as his eyes stayed focused on hers, and she sat up in the bed. “I can’t believe you’d do that for me.”

            He shrugged again. “It’s not a big deal. We’re friends.”

            She could feel a smile coming as she said, “Thank you so much for being my friend, Jack.”

            “Right back atcha, TB.”





Chapter

SIXTEEN



Hallie and Jack texted more than usual the following week as they finalized travel plans and lodging details. Her entire family was taking the same flight, so she was absolutely dreading that, but she made sure to request a room on a separate floor from everyone else.

            She was a little nervous when she woke up at four a.m. on the day of the flight. Could they pull it off? Would Jack be able to pretend he was in love with her? Actually, as long as he managed to pull off a solid she’s-kinda-cool disposition, Hallie would be thrilled.

            She was zipping up her carry-on when Jack texted.

            Jack: Good morning, my love. May I pick up a donut for you on the way to your place?

            Hallie: Careful, I may ACTUALLY fall in love with you if you say things like that.

            Jack: I will shower you in chocolate donuts for the rest of your life, my darling.

            She laughed and texted: I think I just had a tiny orgasm.

            Jack: On my way.

            Just like that, her nervousness turned into excitement. She was going to Vail with Jack—how could it not be fun? She double-checked that she had absolutely everything she’d need and stacked her bags beside the front door.

            She got a little choked up saying goodbye to Tigger, because she was afraid he’d feel abandoned. Ruthie was going to “take a crap-ton of Claritin” and come over every day to feed and play with him, so that made her feel a little better, but she still hated leaving him behind.

            Jack, on the other hand, said he desperately needed a weekend away from Mr. Meowgi, who kept peeing on his bath mat.

            Jack rang the buzzer when he got there, and she brought down her luggage. When she exited the building, he was waiting out front with his trunk open.

            And he looked hot in his jeans and black hoodie. The man had the kind of chest you wanted to rest your palms on, if that made any sense at all.

            “Good morning, boyfriend,” she said, dragging her bags to where he stood. “Ready for a weekend away with the love of your life?”

            His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her. Specifically, at the spot just above the V-neck of her black sweater. “Please tell me that I’m not inside that locket.”

            “Open it and see,” she teased, the chilly wind blowing her hair in her face.

            He rolled his eyes before reaching out and opening the silver locket that hung on a chain around her neck. She could tell he didn’t think there would be anything in there, and his mouth dropped wide open in shock.

            “You fucking weirdo—explain yourself,” he said, laughing.

            She grinned and moved around him to lift her bag into his trunk. “I took that selfie when you fell asleep on the floor watching Pride & Prejudice. I forgot to delete it, but then it was super easy to print and jam into my necklace. So yay for my horrible memory.”

            He just kept looking at her. “This is terrifying behavior.”

            “Says you.”

            “Says the laws of polite society.”

            “Whatever. My mother will lose her shit over this adorable pic of her daughter clowning with her boyfriend.”