Page 23 of My Favorite Sin

“Okay,” he says with caution. “I’m listening.”

I take a deep breath, nervous, but force myself to speak the plan out loud. “I’m going to hire a… teacher.”

His brow furrows with suspicion. “What kind of teacher?”

“Someone who can help me fix… you know, my issues.”

Dan stops short, staring at me with confusion. “As in a therapist?”

I continue walking along the beach, trying to keep the conversation light. “No. A guy to teach me about men and dating and how to be confident so I can meet people. Have friends, a boyfriend, and be normal.”

“Ally, youarenormal. And what the fuck? You’re not hiring some random guy to teach you about dating.”

Rolling my eyes, I turn around to face him. “You’re always wearing rose-colored glasses around me. It’s not normal to have no friends or that the only guy I’ve ever been interested in is my—” I stop mid-sentence, agitated with myself.

“Stepbrother?”

My lips part with embarrassment. He’s challenging me but I stand my ground. “Yes. And I hate it.”

“Believe me, I don’t need any reminding.” Dan gives an irritated laugh, the wind whipping through his dark hair.

I brush off his comment, getting back on topic. “I need help. Otherwise, I’m going to remain lonely and untouched for life.”

“I don’t like this.”

“Well, then, it’s a good thing I don’t need your approval.”

A frustrated sound comes from deep within his throat. “So, why are you telling me any of this?”

“Because my plan needs to be discreet. I can’t risk the public finding out that I’m hiring someone to teach me about men and… dating.”

“Sex—that’s what you really want to say, isn’t it?”

I sigh, both humiliated and annoyed. “Do you have to be so blunt?”

“Yes. I need to understand exactly what you’re trying to achieve with this ridiculous idea. Do you plan to sleep with this guy?”

“Of course not. I would never pay someone for sex.” My hair flaps with a gust of wind and I brush it back from my face. “As I was saying, this needs to be a secret. Reporters would probably twist the story and make it look like I’m hiring an escort. I’m asking you for help—to speak to Felix on my behalf since he owns an illegal venue and is the king of keeping its existence hidden. Without mentioning my name to him, of course. I thought maybe he’d have the means of hooking me up with someone appropriate and who he can trust will keep this private.”

Dan glares at me. “I’m not speaking to Felix for you.Noneof this is happening.”

“Fine. I’ll go to Felix myself. I was only hoping to avoid embarrassment by having you as the middleman.” I leave his side, picking up my pace along the shore.

Dan’s footsteps pound in the sand as he runs after me, until he steps in front of me, blocking my path. He’s so close that I almost bump into his chest and need to take a step back to look at his face.

“Felix is the last person you should be involving in this,” Dan says, his tone scolding. “The crowd he hangs around with have less than questionable morals. I wouldn’t trustany of them around you. How do I know the guy would be honorable? That he wouldn’t take advantage of you? Knowing Felix, especially if you don’t want your name mentioned to him, you probablywouldend up with an escort.”

“Well, so be it. If the escort is discreet, I’ll take my chances. That’s how dire my situation is.”

A tormented look sits in Dan’s eyes, like he’s running through a list of things to say that will change my mind. Finally, he rakes both hands through his hair and groans. “Don’t do this. If you’re so adamant about needing a boyfriend, I’ll… Fuck, I’ll find a guy to set you up with.”

“I don’t want to be set up. I want the skills to meet men myself. And besides, that would be strange if you found me a boyfriend, considering our past. If you want to help, just talk to Felix for me. Otherwise, I’m heading to the city today to meet with him.”

I step around Dan and continue walking along the beach.

“Fuck, Ally,” he calls after me. “Iwill help you, okay? I’ll teach you whatever shit you think you need to learn. No one else is getting involved in this.”

I pivot on my heels, my face burning up when I see how serious he is. “There’s no way. That would be awkward for both of us.”

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