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

Maybe this dare is a matter of convenience. Besides, there is no way Mark wouldn’t want Ryder at the wedding, seeing as he’s the best man. And if we turn up as a couple, it might stop my dad from throwing him death stares.

On the other hand, my dad is still furious at Ryder for breaking my heart, and there's really no way around that. So maybe seeing Ryder and me together will provoke a violent reaction.

The way I see it, it can go either way.

The door opens with a jingle and I look up sharply. Ryder flashes me a quick smile then turns to the counter. Now his back is turned, I take the opportunity to check him out. His hairline makes the shape of a V. I used to twirl that tuft of hair around my index finger as we sat together in Biology. Sometimes, when the teacher was busy scribbling on the board, I’d get away with resting my head on his shoulder too. The smell of his sandalwood aftershave would flood my nostrils and give me flutters.

No. I can’t think about that. Those days are long gone and reliving them is too painful. I tear my gaze away, take my jacket off the chair next to me and stuff it under the table. I look up to see him approaching. The sight of a cup in his hands makes me smile.

“Don’t tell me, double mocha latte?”

The corner of his mouth twitches and his eyes twinkle at me. “You got it.”

Ryder and I sit across from each other and sit in silence for a few moments. I glance out of the window again, this time watching the man playing guitar on the street. Streams of people walk by, paying no attention to him. Which is a crime, really. He’s good.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve sat in here,” Ryder says mildly. I turn away from the street and let my gaze settle on him again. He lifts his steaming mug to his lips and looks at me as he drinks. His eyes lock me in place, and I can’t even bring myself to blink.

“Yes,” I say, a little breathless. “You remember?”

Ryder sets the mug down and offers a casual smirk. Then his thick brows cock upward.

“We used to cut classes every Friday afternoon and, if I’m not mistaken, I believe we used to make out on that couch.” He jabs his thumb to the old leather couch in the corner. I tingle all over as I look at it, vacant and haunted by the memories of my past. I turn around in my chair, covering up my blush with a hand and a fake yawn. “I thought you might have forgotten.”

“Forgotten? Come on,” Ryder says, smirking again. The heat of his gaze is like sitting under a spotlight. Sweat gathers above my upper lip and I swipe it away with the back of my hand before dropping it in my lap.

It’s been almost two years since college ended. I came back to the city first, while Ryder went traveling around Europe. His parents moved from London to New York when he was in his freshman year of high school, so he always had a bit of a British accent. But after he came back from Europe his accent has been on a whole other level of sexy.

Six months. That’s how long he’s been back in the city. And apart from a few parties with our friends, the two of us have barely seen each other, and we definitely haven't talked. Until now.

All it takes is a glint in his eye and all the memories and feelings come rushing back like no time has passed at all.

I clutch my cup a little too hard in a desperate attempt to stop them from trembling.

“I’m guessing you didn’t bring me here to reminisce over old times?”

Ryder takes a casual sip of his drink but averts his eyes for a moment. His question is like a shot of adrenaline and it bolts straight to my heart. Can nerves kill? If so, I’m a goner.

“You’re right,” I say, putting down the cup. “I want to talk about the dare.”

Ryder

Katia is adorable when she’s nervous. Even though she tries to cover it up, I know all of her tells––which is why she stopped playing poker with me. She’s got two.

One. She blinks more than usual, making her thick lashes flutter.

And two. She fidgets.

She's squirming in her seat now, and my cheeks prickle as I let a smile take over my face.

“What dare?” I say mildly. Her eyes darken and she stops moving to give me the biggest frown ever. But her reaction just makes my smile grow wider. I’m teasing her, of course. I know exactly what dare she’s talking about. The dare. The one Michelle dumped on us without any warning at Mark’s bachelor party.

Pretend to be mine. 

As if it’s not going to be awkward enough being the best man to the guy who’s marrying my ex’s twin sister… I have to pose as my ex’s fiancé too. But the way I see it, I don’t have a choice. There is no way I'm taking the forfeit. Jumping fully clothed into the Hudson this close to Thanksgiving is a death wish. And for the forfeit, you have to be naked.

No thank you.

Katia squirms in her seat again and splutters a few inaudible words before she takes a sip of her drink. Then I realize I’ve been brooding and my silence is torturing her.

Good. I love to see her like this––cheeks flushed, chewing on her bottom lip. But I figure I should say something and put her out of her misery.

“Relax. I’m joking.”

Katia puffs air out of her cheeks and fakes a laugh. But her little display does nothing to hide the quick eye roll.

I need to behave if she’s going to tolerate being around me during the wedding. The truth is things have been awkward between us since the “break up.”

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