Page 75 of Only You

“A while ago, there was a bet that we’d be dating by the end of the year.”

Kayla’s mouth gaped open while Jack took a bite of bread. “Who bet on that?”

He dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Some of the guys in IT. Oh, and a few in accounting.”

Kayla scowled. “Of course, it was the men.”

Jack shook his head. “A few women are in on it too.”

“You knew about this, but you didn’t bother to tell me?”

He shrugged. “It’s no big deal, Kayla. It’s all in good fun.”

Fun? Suddenly, the fun fell out of their friend date. “If people are gossiping about me, I have the right to know.”

Jack was about to speak, but the server arrived with their food. “Chicken parmesan for the lady, and fettuccini alfredo for the gentleman.”

“Thank you,” Kayla and Jack said.

“Can I get you another glass of wine?” the server asked.

“Sure,” said Jack.

“No,” Kayla said at the same time.

The server gazed at them, waiting for them to reach a consensus.

“No, thank you. We’re good,” Jack conceded.

They took a break from their discussion and started eating. The food was delicious, and Kayla forced herself to relax and enjoy it.

“I’m sorry for not telling you about the bet,” Jack said after a while. “But there wasn’t anything we could do about it, anyway.”

Kayla frowned. “You could have put the rumors to bed … to rest,” she corrected herself.

“I should have tried to convince them we’re just friends?”

“Yes!”

Jack sighed. “Why are you so upset by this?”

“Because I don’t want people spreading lies about us.”

Jack eyed her for what felt like a long time. “Is it a lie? Maybe they’re seeing something we haven’t acknowledged.”

Kayla swallowed hard. “You promised not to do this,” she reminded him.

“Do what?”

“Pretend like we’re a couple when we’re not. We’re on a friend date, remember?”

“We’re just talking,” Jack insisted.

Exasperated, Kayla picked up her wineglass and drained what was left in it.

“I don’t want to argue with you, Kayla. If you want to drive separately to the party, we will,” Jack said, though he didn’t sound happy about it.

Before she could respond, the server reappeared. “Can I get you two anything else?” he asked.