Truth or Dare: A Sweet Romantic Comedy Collection by Laura Burton (free ebook reader for ipad txt) 📗

Tessa throws her head back and crosses her arms with a smirk. “Your friends should be more careful about where they talk. I know all about the dare.”

My stomach lurches again, but before I can think of a reply, Eddie walks up behind Tessa, towering over her like a giant.

“There you are, baby girl.” He grabs her waist and plants a kiss atop her head. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Oh please, you can drop the act too. Tessa told us everything,” Michelle says.

Tessa’s expression turns vehement as she glares at Michelle, then she frowns at me. I shake my head, giving her a hard look.

It’s never gonna happen.  She gets the message and turns to Eddie, planting a hand on his chest. “Come on, I need a strong drink.”

She steers a bewildered Eddie back to the hotel, leaving me dazed.

Slowly, I turn back to Michelle, and the sight of her glassy eyes tugs at my heart.

“Sorry for the drama tonight, things didn’t turn out how I had hoped,” I say, brushing a few strands of dark hair away from her brow.

Michelle laughs softly. “It’s late, do you wanna go back to our room?”

The hopeful tone of her voice decimates whatever thoughts I had left of Tessa and my heart quickens. Something is thrilling and equally comforting about the way she says our room.

The deep maroon glow of sunrise invades the dark sky, eliminating the twinkling stars from view. Michelle is quiet as we walk hand in hand. I wonder if all of the Tessa stuff has freaked her out. She’s probably silently psychoanalyzing everything, like why Tessa would go to such lengths to mess with my head. And how it might affect my ability to have a healthy relationship in the future.

Once back at our room, I longingly gaze at the perfectly made bed. What I would give to curl up with Michelle right now and fall asleep.

But even though breakfast is just a few hours away, and my head is throbbing as if I’d just spent the whole night taking a beating from Mike Tyson, I can’t sleep yet. Not without telling Michelle how I feel.

“I’m too tired to even get out of this dress,” Michelle says with a heavy exhale. She collapses on the bed and lays there face down like a starfish. My heart leaps and I chuckle at the sight.

“Are you really laughing at me?” Michelle says, turning over to shoot me a hard look, but her lips curve upward. I join her on the bed and we just lay facing each other for a few moments.

“I still can’t believe Tessa is here,” I whisper. “What do you think about it all?”

Michelle’s dark brows twitch as she frowns. “Me?”

I nod and rest my hand on her waist. “You’re training to be a therapist, right? Well... I’m sure you have some opinions.”

Michelle sits up and gives a fake laugh. I know it’s fake because it sounds nothing like her normal laugh and her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. Something’s troubling her. I can read it all over her body. From the way she hugs herself with her knees pulled up to her chest to the little line between her brows. Does she feel threatened by Tessa?

“Tessa and I are never getting back together. Never, ever, ever,” I say, resisting the urge to sing a Taylor Swift song to emphasize the point. “And it’s not just because she followed me here and lied.” The thought reminds me to block her on social media. No one wants a stalker on their list. Michelle uncoils, lets go of her knees, and looks at me with her eyes like saucers. “What do you mean?”

I drag a hand over my face and give a tired sigh. “Listen. I haven’t told anyone this.”

I swallow and tug on the collar of my shirt. Is it hot in here? I’m sweating. Michelle sits perfectly still and watches me with those big, round eyes. She’ll make a great shrink. She never jumps in on a conversation. Now she waits for me to gather my thoughts.

“I’ve been able to reflect, and I can finally admit to myself that Tessa is not right for me.”

I stop to smile as one of Michelle’s brows goes up and the other stays motionless. “Go on,” she says in a measured tone.

“Nothing I ever did was good enough. She was pretty high maintenance... And she asked for money. A lot.”

Tessa had her way of making me feel special. She could tear me down with a look or build me up, depending on how she chose to use her powers. Earning her approval became an addiction, and our relationship revolved around her. I can’t think of a single time she asked me how I was or wanted to get to know my friends.

I tell Michelle everything. From the fact that Tessa would pick out my clothes and keep tabs on what I did every day, to the fateful day she rejected my proposal, all because she was unhappy with the ring I chose. She claimed she didn’t want commitment, but this was after weeks of consistent hints about getting married. Tessa loved to stir up a scandal. She got a kick out of it.

Michelle hums lightly and nods as she listens. She’s a stark contrast to Tessa.

“But you…” I say softly, sliding my hand around her neck and fisting her hair. I’m done talking. And the dark look in Michelle’s eyes tells me she’s done listening.

I lean in, and flashbacks of our couples’ massage flood my mind. As our mouths reunite, the heat in the room dials up a notch. I pick Michelle up and settle her in my lap. She presses herself against my chest. It’s a full-body hug, and with our lips tenderly joined, my heart is threatening to burst with joy.

This kiss feels right.

But it’s not just about lust or passions. There’s something metaphysical about it. I make a mental note to discuss