Page 22 of Truth Or Dare
“Yeah?” she asks, her eyes lighting up.
I chuckle, nodding, and her smile widens before she turns her attention back to the TV as we play a game. She doesn’t even make it through one game before I hear her soft snores, the controller slipping from her hand and rolling to the floor.
I press my lips together in amusement as I lean down to press a kiss to her forehead, closing my eyes as we both drift off to sleep.
Chapter 8
I dare you
“Are you sure you don’t want to ditch this and go back home?” I ask, searching his face for any sign of discomfort. I know Chris isn’t into parties or being around people in general. While I thought it was a good idea for him to meet my friends, I should have suggested somewhere less… crowded.
Chris exhales, his lips curling into a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to keep checking on me,” he says. “I’m fine, Gabi. I’m always fine when you’re here.”
My chest eases at his words. “Really? I know these parties can be a lot.”
He takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I promise I’m fine,” he says, flashing a warm smile. “I want to meet your friends.”
“You can always meet them another time,” I say, holding onto his hand a little tighter. The warmth of his touch calms me. It always has done. Every one of his touches settles something in me. The way he gives me gentle forehead kisses, how he wraps his arms around me, comforting me, and how he cradles my face in his hands. “You don’t have to force yourself to do something you don’t want to do.”
His face lights up with a grin. “Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?” he says with a laugh. “You never used to say that. You loved to corrupt me.”
I roll my eyes dramatically. “I wouldn’t say Icorruptedyou.”
“We almost got arrested,” he says, his eyebrow raising in amusement.
My lips twitch with the memory of that night, but I can’t help but shoot him a playful glare. “You’re making me out to be the bad guy.”
He laughs, a sound that tugs at my heart, and pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. I don’t think I realized how much I’ve truly missed him until now. Sure, we talked every day, texted, called, played games together, and I convinced myself it was the same as having him beside me.
But I was so wrong.
There’s nothing like this. There’s nothing like feeling his warmth, hearing the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my ear. There’s nothing like the familiar scent of his cologne that hasn’t changed since I last saw him. There’s nothing likehim.
“You’re definitely the bad one in our friendship, Gabi. Always have been.” He pulls back, and I already miss him.
“And you’re just sogood,” I say with a smile, reaching up to pinch his cheeks. “It’s adorable.”
He returns my smile, and I realize my hands are still on his face. The warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips sends a shiver down my spine. I can’t help but get lost in his eyes as my touch trails across his cheek.
Chris’s smile slips slightly, and I suck in a breath when his hand covers mine, halting its movement.
He clears his throat, dropping both of our hands. “Come on,” he says, pressing his lips together in a smile. “Let’s go meet your friends.”
My smile disappears as we make our way through the crowd. Why the hell did I make things awkward and touch his face like that. I sneak a quick glance up at Chris, wondering what he’s thinking.
“Oh, hey.” I turn to my right and spot Aiden among the crowd. His familiar grin greets me as he nods in acknowledgment. “You finally made it. I was starting to think you wouldn’t show.”
“I don’t miss a good party,” I tell him, reaching over to grab a beer. “You know that.”
He nods, letting out a laugh, and his gaze shifts to Chris beside me, his eyebrows lifting as he shoots me a knowing grin. I narrow my eyes at him.
He knows too much.
“Hey man,” Aiden says, turning his attention to Chris. “You must be Chris. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Yeah,” Chris responds, awkwardly reciprocating Aiden’s hug. I can’t help but watch with amusement dancing in my eyes. “I, uh, I’ve heard about you too,” Chris says with a smile, brushing his hair back.
Aiden scoffs. “If it was from Gabi, then I assume it was all bad things.”
