Page 29 of The Bet

“Fine.” Jenna shakes her head and turns on her heel. “I can’t believe Chloe would stoop so low as to be interested in that dumbass jock.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I let the door slam behind me as I stand motionless on the sidewalk.

How am I going to live in the same town as her? For fuck’s sake, I work a block down the road from her. And he’s my best friend. Was my best friend. The pulse in my temple thuds repeatedly, making it feel like a man wearing sagging jeans, is jackhammering in my brain.

She grabs his arm. “Stop pretending that it’s going to be okay. It isn’t.”

I close my eyes as the traffic speed past us. “You’re right.” Several seconds later, I open my eyes. They sting from unshed tears. “It isn’t going to be okay. I love Chloe, and I can’t watch her fall for Tony.”

“Yeah, me either.” Jenna’s hands ball into fists. “You go on home. I’ve got something to do.”

“Jenna, don’t interfere.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. Do. Not. Go. Apeshit on Tony.”

“Me?” Her eyes are wide as she shakes her head. “I won’t do anything I regret.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. You have a high tolerance for batshit crazy.”

Jenna put her hands on my shoulders. “Go home.”

“Fine. It’s not like anything I say is going to stop you.” Jenna has love-hated Tony since high school. His flirting with Chloe is another brick in her ever-growing fortress.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chloe

When Tony hands me a bag, I shudder. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Absolutely. Would I steer you wrong?”

“No.” Tony is a great guy. I know he broke Jenna’s heart, but there must be an explanation. And not one that starts and ends with Tony being a jackass.

“Seriously?” Jenna asks with venom lacing her tone.

I twist on my heel.Fuck.Anger radiates off her in waves as she stomps down the aisle toward us.

“Shit.” Tony shoves off the counter as all the color drains from his face. It’s plain as day that Tony has mad feelings for Jenna, and Jenna is plain furious.

“Let’s go into the kitchen.” I grab the bag and motion for Tony to follow me. There’s no way I want this blowout to occur in front of my customers.

Everything will be fine once I explain the situation to Jenna but getting her to listen before she starts pummeling him might not be as simple as it should be.

A couple of hours later, I stand in front of Rich’s front door. My fingers shake as I put my hand up for the third time to push the doorbell.Fuck. I can’t do it.I set down the basket of baked goods and contemplate running.Damn it. I’m not a wimp. I confronted Tabitha. I can do this. My whole future depends on it.

I stab the buzzer and step backward. When Rich doesn’t answer after five seconds, I bang on the door.

What the fuck am I doing?I’m standing on his front step in a trench coat in eighty-five-degree weather while sweat drips between my tits. I’m going to kick Tony’s ass if this doesn’t work.

“What?” Rich’s voice is muffled from the other side of the door.

My breath catches in my throat.What if Tony is wrong? What if Rich doesn’t care about me? Well, then, I’ll know.“It’s me.”

“Shit.” Rich’s footsteps grow louder as he nears the door. I inhale and will my knees to stop shaking.Legs don’t fail me now.

I bite my bottom lip as I wait. Finally, he opens the door. “We need to talk.”

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