**This is Book One of a Duet. This novel will end on a cliffhanger, and you will want to immediately dive into Book Two...The Believer's Game.**

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Oh, and accident-prone.

Too bad she doesn’t date.

**The Skeptic's Duet is a standalone duet in a larger, interconnected parent series of novels and duets--The Hill Family Universe. While The Skeptic's Duet can be enjoyed by itself, the reader will experience a more immersive and pleasurable reading journey if The Reality Duet (Escaping Our Reality & Finding Our Reality) is read first. The Skeptic's Duet will contain spoilers about your favorite Hill Family characters and events from The Reality Duet.**