Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Thankfully neither Sam nor Dare mentioned how they knew her. And nobody mentioned Brian.
“Now that that’s over with, what were we talking about?” Faith asked.
The topic turned from one subject to another, and Dare leaned in close to Liza, but he didn’t say a word, as if waiting for her to talk first.
“We really have to stop meeting like this,” she blurted out.
Dare, his head close to hers, merely grinned. “Really? Why is that? I kind of like seeing you outside the station.” His warm breath fanned her ear, and Liza’s stomach churned with unsettling emotion.
“Dare, did you hear Tess has been asking for a puppy?” Kelly asked, obviously unaware she was interrupting a moment.
“I’m glad it’s their problem,” Dare said. Soon, they’d launched into a discussion of a rambunctious destructive puppy in the huge mansion.
Liza didn’t know how Dare held on to the thread of conversation. Time passed in a haze for her because he sat so close his hard thigh kept brushing hers. If she shifted away, somehow he’d move and end up touching her again.
Not that he seemed affected by her closeness in the least. He carried on a conversation with his friends and family, never losing his train of thought, never uncomfortable or at a loss for words.
They all seemed happy enough to have Liza there, but she wasn’t really a part of their world, and she envied their easy banter and closeness. And though she appreciated the fact that they’d included her, she knew she’d never really belong.
She never had.
Since she’d already bought everyone a round of drinks and fund-raising discussion wasn’t going to happen, Liza reached for her purse on the floor and rose.
“Where are you going?” Faith asked, sounding upset she was ready to leave.
“I need to get home. I have work,” Liza lied.
Dare immediately stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
She shook her head. “You don’t need to do that. Stay with your friends.”
He grasped her elbow. “I know I don’t need to. I want to.”
All the breath left her body in a rush of air.
Good-byes were said. Plans were made to meet up next week for the fundraiser, but if they’d chosen a day, Liza wouldn’t remember it.
At that moment, Dare’s hand on her arm as he escorted her outside was the only thing that mattered.
Chapter Four
Liza rushed through the crowd, her exit faster than her entrance. Dare was right behind her, his hand on her arm, but she didn’t stop. She needed the open space and fresh air where she could think more clearly without his body heat so close it suffocated her. And not in a bad way.
No sooner had they reached the sidewalk, the noise and buzz from inside the bar receding, than she turned to face him. “I don’t understand you.” She looked into his handsome face.
His expression told her he was clearly confused. “What? That I wanted to walk you out?”
She shook her head. “Since when do you want anything to do with me at all? Before I nearly ran you over yesterday by the park, every conversation we’ve ever had bordered on contentious and mean.” She braced her hands on her hips, knowing the little bit of alcohol she’d had—which she usually stayed away from because of both her own past and her brother’s tendency to overindulge—was responsible for her bold outburst now.
He frowned, obviously not pleased with her at all. “You are so wrong I don’t know where to begin,” he muttered and did the last thing she’d expected. He extended his hand. “Come with me.”
“Where?” she asked warily.
He again thrust his hand toward her. “Trust me?”
“I don’t trust anyone.” Now, why had she said that? She bit the inside of her cheek at the spontaneous admission.
He groaned. “Fine. Surprises are out then. We’re going for ice cream, and then we’ll talk.”
Startled, she blinked. He wanted something as simple and easy as ice cream? “Really?”
“Yeah. Now, will you go with me?” he asked, sounding as if he really wanted her company.
She knew she wanted his, and that scared her. Spending time talking led to a closeness she normally avoided, especially with men.
But she wanted to figure out why he got to her so badly. Maybe she’d get answers. At the very least, she’d get fed, and she was starving.
So she placed her palm in his.
He stared at their connected hands and shook his head in disbelief.
She knew the feeling but couldn’t bring herself to walk away.
“You could’ve told me ice cream was the key,” he muttered as he wrapped his fingers around her hand and led them down the street toward the shop that had been in town longer than she could remember.
They reached the store, and bells jingled as they walked inside. “Know what you want?” Dare asked.
She didn’t hesitate. “Mint chocolate chip in a sugar cone.”