Betting on you

More about the book

Seventeen-year-old Bailey is less than thrilled to find an old acquaintance, Charlie, among her coworkers at a hotel waterpark. They previously met on a long flight to Omaha after her parents’ divorce, where Charlie’s cynicism clashed with Bailey’s well-behaved demeanor. Initially, his presence irritates her, but as they spend time together gossiping about guests and coworkers, particularly a flirty couple, Bailey begins to enjoy Charlie's company. They make a bet about whether the couple will get together, with Charlie asserting that opposite-sex friendships are impossible, while Bailey is determined to prove him wrong. As they track the romantic developments around them, Charlie grapples with his growing feelings for Bailey, fearful that revealing his crush will jeopardize their friendship. To complicate matters, they start “fake dating” to disrupt the awkward interactions between Bailey’s mom and her new boyfriend. As Bailey relies on Charlie amidst her family drama, she begins to see him as more than just a friend, experiencing feelings that make her heart race. However, Charlie harbors a secret involving Bailey and another bet he made, putting their budding relationship at risk. Can they navigate these challenges, or has Charlie’s secret doomed their chances before they even begin?