From a Humiliating Bet to the Boss He Can't Have novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Day Thirty

Jo's POV

Cynthia had rented the grand ballroom of a downtown Columbus hotel, and she had filled it.

There were six hundred seats and a stage at the front with a screen the size of a barn.

Across the top, in gold letters, it said: "DAY 30. FIRST REACH LOSES. LIVE."

I stood in the doorway with Carly on my left and Nate a half step behind my right shoulder.

A greeter in a black dress held a tablet and smiled until she saw my face.

"Oh my God," she said. "She's here."

The nearest rows turned in their seats.

Phones came up all along the aisle, and a ripple went through the room with my name in it.

Somebody booed.

Somebody else called, "Don't do it, Jo!" and a woman beside her called back, "Do it!"

Carly took my elbow.

"They're betting on you," she said, low. "Actual strangers. With money."

"I know."

"I want to throw a chair."

"You're a nurse."

"I'll fix the person afterward."

I laughed, and my shoulders came down an inch.

Nate's hand settled at the small of my back.

"Not reaching," he said into my ear. "Standing nearby."

"Stay nearby."

"Always."

I walked down the aisle.

In the front row Blaine's mother sat very upright in the grey coat.

Beside her, in the yellow cardigan with the crooked braid, was Birdie, who saw me and half rose from her seat before her grandmother's hand caught her sleeve.

I did not wave.

I put two fingers against my own collarbone, which was our sign for I see you, and Birdie did it back.

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