“Betting on love.”
Oh yeah. That.
I sink into the water, so my shoulders are covered. “It’s just a dumb bet.”
“No.” She drops her feet but is too short to touch, so she treads water. “Shaving your head is a stupid bet. You guys make dumb bets all the time, but I’ve never known you to wager over matters of the heart.”
I shrug and start for the edge of the pool. “Maybe it’s time I grow up.”
Lennox paddles along beside me. “Falling in love because of a bet won’t make you any more mature than you were yesterday.”
She’s right. The whole thing sounds ridiculously immature coming out of her mouth.
“Sean’s holding the foreman job over my head.” I scrub a hand down my face. Gosh, I’m tired.
“Ah.” Her eyes widen. “So basically, your entire future is at risk unless you fall in love.”
Not myentirefuture. “He’s just being an idiot.”
She tilts her head to the side. “He might actually be onto something this time.”
I know I’ve played a lot of pranks on her in the past, but she’s siding with Sean? Two years ago, he dyed the right side of her hair purple while she was sleeping. I was pretty sure we were all going to lose a brother that day.
I fold my arms and stare at her. “How do you figure?”
“I think he’s helping you get everything you want.” Lennox splashes me, and I jerk back, because of the water or her statement—I’m not sure which.
“You mean put everything I want at risk.” There’s always a risk in these bets, and this time it’s a big one.
She purses her lips. “Maybe you’ll see it differently in a month.”
I rub my upper arm. She’s wrong. All Sean’s doing is making it harder for me to get the job I was born to do.
Lennox swims to the edge of the pool. “Are you staying tonight? We’re watchingA Walk to Remember.”
That’s one of my favorites, and she knows it, but I’ve had enough love talk to last a week. I shake my head. “I need to head home. I’ve got to get to work early.”
She steps out of the pool and grabs the towel off the table.
“You always do,” she mutters and walksinto the house with the only towel.
I clench my jaw and climb out of the warm water.
I’m not a workaholic. I’msetting myself up for success in the industry I’ve chosen. There will always be time later to slowdownand watch that movie.
Chapter 8
Juliet
I’ve been messaging MichaelB22 every day for almost a week. About the little things, the nothings, and everything.
“Do you love me yet?” Karli asks after I answer another message from Michael. He wanted to know my least favorite thing about living in Arizona. Easy. The killer cactuses that litter the place.
“I’ve always loved you,” I say. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”
I place my phone faceon the table and take a bite of food.
When did it get cold?
