The Skeptic's Playbook
The Skeptic's Duet Book One

Merit

Growing up, my parents described me with four words: curious, fun-loving, silly, and accident-prone.

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My husband used four very different words: prying, immature, uncouth, and irresponsible. I reckon that’s one of the reasons he isn’t my husband anymore.

 

And because of that, I’ve sworn off relationships. And dating. I spent years with someone who wanted to change me. Who did change me. Only an insane person would want that again.

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But then I meet him. The famous Holt Hill. Whom I didn’t even know was famous. Well, he wants to date me. And he refuses to take no for an answer.

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But why would he want me? I’m… normal. And he’s… not.

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In fact, I watched a video clip where women—like a bunch of women, a whole herd of them—threw their panties at him during one of the Super Bowls.

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Well, I happen to like my panties. Plus, panties cost money, so tossing them at some super-sexy, super-handsome, super-rich football player just seems like a waste.

 

Anyway, it’s all a moot point… because I don’t date.

 

Holt

I’m a love skeptic. Not of love, in general. I’ve borne witness to many great relationships in my life.

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But it just so happens that none of those relationships involved me.

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When I take stock of my dating history, I reckon the best romance was the imaginary one where a woman I'd never even met told the tabloids I was the father of her triplets. At least that started a new round of gossip about me having super sperm.

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Women always want my fame, my wealth, my notoriety. That is, until I meet her.

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The second I meet Merit, I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s gorgeous. And guarded.

  

But underneath that timid and tame façade, I see someone curious, fun-loving, and silly.

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Oh, and accident-prone.

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Too bad she doesn’t date.