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

So, I lean my head on Ryder’s shoulder and rest my hand on his. He flinches, prompting me to tilt my head upward and look at him. As if picking up on my thoughts, Ryder bows his head and he kisses me gently on the forehead. I close my eyes, basking in the warmth of his kiss, my entire body tingling. Then I sneak a peek at my mom. She’s resting her hand on her collarbone and her face has broken into a delighted smile.

“Yes, my dear. It’s… Marvelous.”

As we enjoy the food, various family members come up to our table to congratulate us. With a giggle, I wipe rosy lipstick marks off Ryder's cheeks after my aunt Helen's enthusiastic greeting.

“I’ve not been kissed by so many people in one night…” Ryder says, his face flushing. I smirk at him. “…since college?” I finish for him, raising a brow. My words erase his smile and he just stares at me with his brows knitted together.

Oh, what I’d give to be inside Ryder Black’s head. Unless he’s replaying the fraternity parties where he was probably making out with endless girls. I clamp my jaw at that thought. No, on second thought, I don’t want to know. He can keep those memories to himself.

But then Ryder shakes his head and as if following my train of thought, he says, “There were no parties.”

I inhale sharply and stretch my eyes wide to check he isn’t just saying that to spare my feelings. But he nods and looks at me like he’s giving me a confession.

“I guess you could say, after we split up, I was never in the partying mood.”

He turns away to greet some of my young cousins and proceeds to wow them with a magic trick. The kids watch him in awe as he pulls out a coin from behind his ear. I relate to those kids. Ryder is kind of amazing, and now I can’t stop thinking about what a great dad he’d be.

Oh boy. I’m in trouble.

Ryder

I still love Katia.

The thought leaves me stunned. And I’m still reeling from her dad’s reaction to our fake news.

All these years, I had myself convinced I didn’t even know what true love was. We were kids, after all. But now she’s back in my life, and back in my arms. I can’t stop the emotions from building.

I love her.

It’s so easy to say it in my head. So why is it so hard to talk to her about it?

When I saw her again––first at Michelle’s house, then Holly’s––I couldn’t stop looking at her. But the pain of seeing this Italian beauty, who I hurt, was too much. So I’d take my laptop and bury myself in work. Being a developer means there’s always something to do. In some ways, the work never ends. And I like it that way. Because so long as I keep my mind busy, it doesn’t wander off unlocking forbidden memories and flooding me with all of these conflicted feelings.

Now, she’s surrounded by so many family members. Kids, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents… and it's a reminder of the stark contrast to my own upbringing. After my parents’ divorce, my dad found a woman half her age and set up a new life on the south coast of England. He doesn’t even send birthday cards. My mother bought a camper van and is always on the move, who knows when I’ll see her again.

I glance at Katia’s dad. He could probably kill a person with one look, but at the same time, he exudes warmth and love to his family. He waltzes around the room, greeting people and striking up friendly conversation. Looking around at the smiling faces of all of Katia’s loved ones makes me feel like they’ve all pulled me in for a big hug.

“So Ryder, tell us, how did you two end up getting back together?”

The innocent question sets off like an explosion in my ears. “What?”

Katia has it under control though, she pats my arm and gives the fake story we came up with in the coffee shop.

“Well, our mutual friends played matchmaker,” she begins. I nod politely, trying not to stare at Katia’s Nonna, as she picks up a brown medicine bottle and stuffs a straw in it. She catches my look though and her eyes glint at me, reminding me of Katia when she’s caught doing something devilish. “Indigestion medicine,” she says, leaning to me. “The doctor says I shouldn’t eat meat. But…” she chuckles to herself at an inside joke, then motions to Katia with her fingertips. “Sorry, please continue.”

“Michelle knew I never got over Ryder,” Katia glances back at me. “Never.”

I gulp, if this is only an act, I’m falling for it. Hard. “Mark got sick of me pining after Katia,” I add. “You see, we split up the summer before college. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. Long-distance relationships… Statistically speaking, they never work out.” I scratch the back of my neck, losing myself, and before I know it, all of my jumbled thoughts come tumbling out in word vomit.

“But being without her made life lose its color. Every new discovery was tainted by the thought of wishing that I could share it with her. I soon realized that living without Katia is not living at all. I was only…”

“Surviving,” we say in unison. We look at each other and just sit there, gazing into each other’s eyes.

Then a collective sigh pulls me out of the moment, and I blink at the group of ladies that have now gathered around our table.

Debbie gives me a thumbs up. “Perfect,” she mouths.

“Let me see the ring, darling. Oh yes, it's gorgeous isn't it? Look Daphne!” Nonna reaches out to the old lady next to her, who hums her approval.

“Very nice.”

“I picked it up in a small jewelry store in Sicily,” I blurt, looking down at the golden ring on Katia’s