Page 50 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

Faith choked on her drink. After coughing, she dabbed at her wet eyes.

“She’s blunt,” Izzy said needlessly. “And much younger, so we’ll have to forgive her.”

A twenty-three-year-old Sienna wrinkled her nose. “Hey. I have enough older brothers meddling in my life that I can do the same in theirs if I want. But I apologize if I’m being too nosey,” the pretty blonde said.

Faith smiled, feeling her cheeks burn as she answered. “Oh, there’s a lot going on,” she admitted. “But it has an expiration date. When my brother is finally caught and we get him out of my life and I move out of Jason’s apartment, we’ll go our separate ways.” Her stomach lurched, and though she wanted to blame the alcohol, she knew for a fact it was the thought of leaving Jason that upset her.

Sienna sighed. “My father’s behavior made all of us wary of relationships, but I really hoped that Jason would find the right woman and settle down.”

Faith placed her drink down on the table. “I think it’s more than just your father.” She wouldn’t betray any confidences Jason had given her about his past.

“Oh, I know. Losing Levi devastated him.” Sienna’s face crumbled, her pain for her brother clear. “All those guys were destroyed, really. But instead of shutting people out, Jason should embrace the good in life and live it to the fullest.” She clearly wanted the best for her brother, but she didn’t want to accept his choices.

Faith couldn’t help but feel protective of Jason and his feelings, even if they weren’t in Faith’s best interest. “Jason really is entitled to react his own way, and if he doesn’t want the kind of future I do, that’s okay.” She forced the words out, because in her heart, she meant them, no matter how painful the thought.

Did she want everything with the man? Hell yes. But she wouldn’t force or judge his choices. “Can we talk about something else?” She didn’t want to get more upset and cry when there was nothing she could do about the situation she found herself in.

“Let’s talk about candy,” Izzy said. “Faith is a master.”

“Sure. I’m sorry,” Sienna murmured. “So tell me about your business. I love sweets and I’m sorry I haven’t come by before, but now that I have Mom to help out, I’m going to visit you.”

“That would be lovely. How is your mom?” Faith asked.

With a sigh, Sienna sipped her club soda before answering. “She’s stronger than I knew. And she has the entire family’s support, even my half siblings. Everyone’s come around and embraced her. I’m so glad.”

“Savannah’s a sweet woman. I’m glad the family is a whole unit at last.”

The waitress walked over and placed their salads in front of them, ending conversation, leaving Faith alone with her thoughts while they ate in relative silence. Instead of dragging herself through a sad rehashing of losing Jason sometime soon, she thought about the dress she’d bought for the concert. She’d gone overboard, choosing a red garment that came to above the knee and dipped low in the front with a slit up one thigh.

She’d surpassed her budget, but she had a feeling this was her final chance to make a lasting impression on Jason Dare, and she decided the splurge was worth it. He might let her go in the end but she’d give him a sexy, stunning vision to remember her by.

Chapter Ten

The morning of the big event, Jason sat with his partners in the main office, a bottle of bourbon just opened for a toast before they made their way downstairs and got to work. Despite none of them being major drinkers, a toast to their success was something to be savored. And they knew Levi would approve.

“Jason, we owe this night to you.” Tanner raised a glass. “It’s your idea come to life.”

“And I owe it to Faith for planting the initial germ of an idea.” Who would have thought the night he’d seen the sexy blonde on the side of the road would have changed his life as much as it had?

Landon placed his glass on the counter and met Jason’s gaze. “Sounds like she’s special.”

“She is.” Jason took a drink of the only alcohol he’d allow himself tonight. “More than I ever thought possible.”

Tanner shifted on his feet. “More power to you, buddy. But that’s not for me.”

“Me, neither,” Landon muttered. “I can’t see anyone ever changing my way of thinking. I’m good on my own.”

Jason frowned. “You don’t know what you’re missing. But I know there’s no convincing you unless you experience the power of it for yourself.”

Tanner rolled his eyes at that. “Love is not for me. No one’s going to understand me or accept the demons inside me. Except you two.” He smirked as if it didn’t bother him.

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