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

My ears begin to ring, and I scratch my arm, trying to keep my breath steady.

Part of me wants to make a run for it. Maybe if I slide under the table, I can crawl between everyone’s legs and bolt for the exit? Ryder clears his throat and I look at him, studying every part of his angular face. He unfolds the paper and I swear, this guy has the best poker face on the planet. I can’t tell if he’s happy, disappointed, scared, annoyed... Or just bored? That paper could have the date of his demise and he’d keep his expression cool.

“Well, what does it say?” Debbie bursts out. A wave of chuckles from the others follow.

Finally, Ryder looks at me. His thick brows are set low and his bottom lip is protruding slightly. I suddenly get flashbacks of nibbling that bottom lip in the back of his car.

“Pretend to be mine... Care to explain?” he says, looking at Michelle. I gulp so loud, I’m sure the others heard it, even over the loud music. Michelle looks at Debbie, who grins back with a nod. Then she turns to me.

“You two have to pretend to be engaged.”

Ryder and I exchange looks. “What?” We say at the same time.

“For the wedding. You two are totally in love,” Debbie says, grinning at me. I stare at her like she just spoke gibberish. Because none of this makes any sense.

“But it’s your wedding day. You don’t want us stealing the limelight,” I say. Ryder looks down with a deep frown but doesn’t say anything. Typical. Leave it up to me to fight this.

“But Debbie... Our parents. Our family. All our friends…” I hold my hand to my open mouth with horror at the thought of facing everyone while pretending to be engaged to Ryder.

My parents hate him for breaking my heart. In fact, I’m not sure what my dad will do the next time he sees him. But whatever it is, it won’t be pretty.

“Don’t forget there’s always the forfeit,” Michelle says, wagging her finger. Cameron and Jonah groan in unison. “You don’t want to do it,” Jonah says.

Holly shudders. “The Hudson is freezing this time of year.”

I imagine the headlines. Skinny Dippers Become Popsicles in New York.

“Fine.”

Everyone looks at Ryder with identical looks of shock. Fine? Fine? What does he mean? He can’t possibly be up for parading around as my fake fiancé at my sister’s wedding. Can he?

He looks at me with a resolved expression on his face and shrugs. “There’s no way I’m taking the forfeit. Besides… I like a good wedding, and I think your parents will be happier to have me there as your fiancé, rather than the boy who broke your heart.”

His words fly at me like daggers and my eyes prickle.

“So... Katia? Will you do it?” I drag my gaze to look at Michelle, blinking against the tears welling in my eyes. Then I look at Debbie. Being twins gives us the advantage of silent conversations. And in the few moments of the groups’ silence, listening to the steady thump of the music, we have a whole debate.

Finally, happy that Michelle didn't strong-arm my sister into this, I nod, resigned.

“Sure, okay. Why not?”

The group cheers, except for Ryder and I, who look at each other as if we’re about to go into a gladiator arena. We only have to fake it for a wedding. It's just one day.

Besides... What’s the worst that can happen?

Dare Number Three: Pretend to be Mine

Katia and Ryder’s story.

Katia

Memories flood my mind as I sit in the old coffee shop a few blocks from China Town. New York City has been my home ever since my parents brought my twin sister and me over from Italy. That was before we could talk. So, even though we're not native, we both feel like true New Yorkers. I took my usual seat by the window so I could watch people passing by.

Debbie says it’s weird and stalker-like to watch people. But I find it relaxing.

A young couple walks past hand in hand, their faces flushed as they laugh at each other. They’re oblivious to the world around them, much less to people like me. I cradle my cup of coffee and wince at the twinge of jealousy I feel in my chest.

Behind them, an elderly woman is dragging a grocery cart. She's braced against the cold air. Storm Sally is due to roll in later this week. I just hope it can hold off until after the wedding.

I still can’t believe my sister is getting married. To her enemy, Mark, no less. For years, she had me convinced she hated the guy. But since the two of them got locked in a basement for the night, she’s become a completely different person.

On the bright side, the change has been a good thing. Debbie loves her creature comforts and hates attention being directed at her. But with Mark, she’s got bundles of confidence and seems up for anything. Anything except a traditional wedding––much to our parents’ annoyance.

Seeing as all the good venues are booked, Mark thought it would be fun to go to Atlantic City. And considering their five-week-long engagement, I don't think we have a choice. The time we have is barely enough to make the rest of the preparations.

So our dad won’t be walking Debbie down the aisle of a catholic church, but as I pointed out to him on the phone, it could be worse. At least the wedding isn't in Vegas, where an Elvis priest would have blessed their marriage. Although, it won’t surprise me if we turn up at Atlantic City and find out they have Elvis impersonators there too.

Anyway. They’re keeping it pretty small. Just family and the group––Holly and Cameron, Michelle and Jonah... And me and Ryder. I wonder; was the realization that everyone else had coupled up what made Debbie scheme with Michelle over my dare?

Most likely. Getting Ryder and me to pretend we’re engaged will stop