Page 2 of The Bet

“Chloe!” Jenna’s voice is harsh as her exasperation carries through the connection.

“What?”

“I’m serious. I’m worried about Rich. He’s acting weird.”

“Fine,” I sigh.Crap. I’m not getting out of this.“If I see him, I’ll try to find out what’s going on.”

“Thanks!”

When we hang up, I roll my eyes.Like Rich is going to share his secrets with me. We’re friendly, but not the spill your guts to each other kind of close.

My phone beeps.Now what! Can’t a girl get her cupcakes frosted without everyone interrupting?

After glancing at the message, I wrinkle my nose.

Jim: I was thinking of you. I’ll miss you tonight. You should have come out with me.

I shake my head, toss my phone on the counter, and scoop the yellow frosting into the pastry bag.Why don’t I find Jim attractive? He’s a good-looking guy who would tick most girl’s boxes. For goodness sake, he’s a firefighter.

He lifts weights, and from the looks of the bulge in his pants, he’s packing a decent-sized package. Or he stuffs a pair of socks in his pants.I snort.God, I need to get some sleep.

I twist the tip onto the pastry bag.I’ve got to end things with him. It’s not going anywhere. Hopefully, I won’t hurt his feelings.

My mind drifts to Rich as I cover the cupcakes.Mr. Tall, dark, and handsome.I shudder as my nipples pucker against the fabric of my bra. My hand slips, causing a large dollop of frosting to squirt over the edge of the cake and onto the counter.

Crap. What’s wrong with me? Why am I fantasizing about slathering Rich with frosting and licking it off his abs? Dumb question. He’s totally slather-worthy.

I grab a washrag, clean up the mess, and frown.Darn it. There’s zero chance I’ll ever get Rich’s attention.I snatch up a spoon and dig into the frosting.It’s never going to happen.I suck down the frosting and slam my eyes shut as the velvety smoothness covers my tongue.Sinfully good.I moan and lick my lips.

Chapter Two

Rich

Son of a bitch.My jaw tightens, and I fight the urge to rip someone’s throat out. Someone very specific. I’ve sat with Jim Ferguson and his friend, Eric Lark, for the last fifteen minutes, listening as they brag about all the chicks they’ve banged.

I’m about to hurl, but I can’t leave. Jim’s dating my little sister’s best friend, Chloe Sparks, and I’m positive the jackass is cheating on her. Otherwise, I would have never agreed to go to the club with these assholes. They’re not the type of guys I hang with, and I haven’t hooked up with a random woman since college, so I have nothing to add to the conversation.

“What did she say?” Eric leans over Jim’s shoulder and tries to see Jim’s cellphone screen.

“Who? Chloe or the chick that gave me her number when I went to the bathroom?” Jim puffs out his chest and grins.

“You dog.” Eric punches him in the upper arm.

“Chloe didn’t say anything.” Jim cocks his head to the side and shrugs. “I’m sure she’s busy baking some shit.” He nods toward the bar. “See that girl? The one that looks like she can suck a golf ball through a garden hose?”

After turning the direction Jim motions, I survey the girl in question.I don’t get it. The woman’s a cheap knockoff compared to Chloe. What does he see in a woman like that?If I had Chloe waiting for me at home, I wouldn’t have come out in the first place.

“She’s meeting me outside.”

“Are you serious?” I shake my head.This guy is a total fuckface. What in the hell does Chloe see in him?Ever since I met the dickhead, I haven’t been able to figure it out, and I’ve devoted way too much time thinking about it.

“Fuck, yes. I’m serious. She’s hot as shit.”

“Not that, jackass. You’re dating Chloe, but you’re going to go outside and let some skank blow you?”

“Hell, yes. I am.” Jim high-fives Eric.

Holy hell.My hands ball into fists at my sides.Don’t do it. He’s not worth it.I inhale and let my breath out through my mouth in a slow and steady rate. I’ve worked too hard to get a supervisor position at the fire station to let some joker ruin it.

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