Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“Dare.” I lightly smack him in the abdomen. “Don’t call her that.”
That’s Anae’s rude nickname for her, not his, and I don’t appreciate him using it—especially to Hannah’s face.
“I was just offering my congratulations to the queen,” Hannah says mildly, indicating the crown on my head.
Dare’s arm slides around my waist and he pulls me close. “My queen.”
She gives him a knowing, narrow-eyed look. “Of course, your highness.”
“Isn’t that Anae’s dress? Can’t imagine she’d like you wearing it.” Dare smirks, his gaze flickering over her outfit.
Hannah shrugs, looking down at the dress. “She can’t wear it where she’s at. She hated this dress, anyway.” She grabs the material at her bust and looks at it. “It had a little bald spot over here somewhere. I glued on some extra sequins and fixed it for her, but she still…” She stops, seeming to realize she brought his gaze right to her boobs, and awkwardly drops her hand.
Dare’s smile dissipates when he notices the necklace he bought me that I gave to her hanging from her slim throat. “Nice necklace.”
Hannah touches it almost as if she’d forgotten she was wearing it. Her cheeks turn rosy and she shifts her attention back to me. “Anyway, how have you been?”
“Good,” I say, glancing at Dare as he shifts and lets go of my waist. I’m distracted keeping an eye on him, but I try to focus on Hannah. “Um, we’re planning a trip, actually. After graduation, we’re taking my mom with us to Italy for a couple of weeks.”
“No way. That’s awesome,” she says. “How is your mom doing?”
I grin. “So good. It’s been a long road, but her cancer is finally in remission.”
“Oh my god, Aubrey. That’s such good news. I hadn’t heard. I’m so happy for you. Tell her I said… Actually, I don’t know what you say to that, but it’s fantastic news. Congratulations, I guess.”
I laugh. I’m too happy not to these days. “Thanks. I will. How have you been?”
“I’ve been—” She stops and looks over at Dare. “Did you just take my picture?”
Dare shrugs.
I frown, confused when I look at his phone and see that he did.
What the hell?
“If you’re gonna take a picture, you could at least take a picture of us both,” I say lightly.
“Sure,” he says easily. “Get in there, I’ll take your picture.”
He sounds a little too eager and it makes me uneasy, but I don’t have any pictures with Hannah, and if he’s giving this one his blessing, I might as well.
I leave his side and approach hers, feeling a sudden and no longer familiar wave of shyness as I try to figure out how to pose with her. She chuckles, as awkward about it as I am, and wraps her arm around my waist the way Dare does.
My heart lifts a little as I look up at him. His dark gaze is following every uncomfortable breath and I suddenly feel like this was a terrible idea.
I shake it off, though. I don’t have to worry about Dare and Hannah anymore. Whatever conversation they had that day in the classroom, Hannah never really came around again after it. She liked photos and posts on social media from time to time to show we were still good, but we never actually talked.
Until tonight.
My chest feels tight. I tell myself there’s no reason to be so nervous and flash a smile as Hannah and I pose for the picture.
Dare snaps it. Looks at it. Puts his phone back in his pocket.
I feel like I’m at the end of my first date and I don’t know why. I try to shake the fluttery feeling, releasing Hannah and stepping away from her.
I drift back to Dare. He reclaims my waist, pulling me close, his gaze never leaving Hannah.
That feeling is back. The one where I think I’ve put her between his crosshairs. Why did I have to act so awkwardly around her?
“Anyway,” I say, pulling Hannah’s focus back to me. “We were just about to head up to our room.”
Hannah smiles and nods with a polite, “Oh.” She glances away as if searching for her date, but before she opens her mouth to politely get away, Dare speaks.
“You should join us.”
My heart drops clear out of my body.
Hannah’s eyes widen and she looks a little faint.
Dare smirks.
“Um, what?” I ask.
“You said I could have all the fun I wanted tonight, right?” he teases, looking down at me. “Maybe you can, too.”
I can’t speak or think or breathe. I’m afraid to move.
I don’t know if he’s messing with me or being serious. He has to be messing with me, right?
“I have to go,” Hannah blurts before I can answer.
“Hannah, wait,” I call, but she doesn’t.
Dare’s smirk spreads to a full-on grin as she hurries away from us. “Don’t lose your shoe,” he calls after her.