Page 28 of The Bet

“Sure.” As he stares, heat fills my face.Rich told him. Shit. Tony isn’t exactly the fountain of discretion. Everyone will know about the bet, fake bet, losing myvirginity, and Rich considering it pity sex within the week.

I swallow and walk to a quiet corner away from the other customers.My parents are going to blow a gasket.“What can I help you with?”

Tony folds his arms, causing the bag to crinkle. “Put Rich out of his misery.”

“What?”

“He’s acting like a recluse that would be lucky to be homeless.”

“Tony, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is Rich sick?” Sweat covers my palms as my heart beats erratically.Melony can keep an eye on the shop. I need to make sure he’s okay.

Stop. He doesn’t want to see me. He fucked and fled. That should be a bumper sticker.

“No. Rich is not sick,” Tony sighs and mumbles to himself.

I tilt my head. “Are you counting?”

“Yes. I’m counting to ten. The two of you are like talking to brick walls.”

“Never mind. I’m out.” I turn on my heel.

“Chloe, stop. I’m sorry, but you and Rich are frustrating the fuck out of me.”

Why is Tony irritated with Rich? Stop. That’s not any of my business.“Fine. Tony. I accept your apology.”

“You’re breaking his heart.”

My mouth drops as all the muscles in my body tense. “What do you mean?”

“Chloe, Rich thinks he’s not good enough for you. And I’m afraid he’ll never tell you how he feels. I can’t stand to watch him beat himself up over it.”

“Rich is a wonderful guy. Why would he think he’s not good enough for me?”

“Because you’re sweet and gentle, and he’s rough and…” Tony flushes. “You know – rough.”

“Shit.” My body feels like a volcano is erupting inside of it.Oh my God, this is so humiliating.“He told you?”

He grabs my hands. “Don’t be mad at him. He hates himself over how he treated you, and he thinks you’ll never forgive him.”

I shake my head. “There’s nothing to forgive. I wouldn’t have been there if I didn’t want to be.”

Tony smiles. “You want to get him back?”

“Of course.” My heart skips a beat as the weight eases from my chest.

Chapter Twenty-One

Rich

When I step inside the bakery, I stop in my tracks, causing Jenna to run into the back of me.

“Shit, Rich. Watch where you’re going.”

“Let’s go.” I stare in disbelief as my best friend and the woman I love laugh in the corner of the bakery. Chloe’s eyes dance with mischief, and Tony leans over to whisper something into her ear.

“What is it?” Jenna moves around me and growls when she sees Tony and Chloe talking together. “Well, isn’t that nice? I always told you Tony was an asshole.”

“I guess you’re right.” I can’t believe it. I told Tony how I feel about Chloe, and as soon as I turn my back, Tony marched over to her bakery to get his claws into her. “Fuck. I can’t be here.”

---