Page 46 of Dare Me

With a huff, she sat down on the chair facing her sister. “Nothing I said was ridiculous. It was the truth.”

Looking up, Ryleigh gave her a patient smile as she put her laptop on the coffee table. “I’m so glad we’re going to have this conversation.”

“What?”

Leaning forward, her sister’s expression went from neutral to mildly condescending. “For starters, you and I both know you’re not looking for closure. You’re into Will and he’s into you. It’s so damn simple and yet you’re complicating the hell out of it.”

“I’mcomplicating it? Did you not hear all the comments at dinner?”

“You know I did, but…”

“Did you know that I confronted Mom in the kitchen about it?”

That got Ryleigh’s attention. “Seriously? What did you say?”

“Well, I came right out and asked her why she thought Will was perfect for you and not for me.”

“And what did she say?”

Groaning, she slouched against the cushion. “She said Will is too old for me and that he’s closer to your age and that I shouldn’t want someone who’s almost ten years older than me.”

“Wow. She’s really hung up on the age thing.”

“Tell me about it.”

“So then, what did you say?”

“I reminded her that she keeps fixing me up with older guys. I mean, technically, Jamie’s friends are all older.”

“I don’t think she sees it like that.”

“Which is pretty much what she said,” Arianna replied miserably.

“And then what happened?”

“That’s when Jamie came back looking for pie and decided to taunt me. He’s such a child; I want to just punch him right now!”

“Oh, stop. You are not the type to punch a child.”

Glaring at her sister, she asked, “Seriously?”

Ryleigh grinned and shrugged. “You know what I’m saying.” She sat back and got comfortable. “So what brought on the dare?”

“I made the mistake of sharing that I was annoyed with the matchmaking and the whole you and Will thing, and I think I may have mentioned that I thought Will was attractive.”

“Oh, Arianna,” she whined. “No wonder he acted the way he did all night. Ugh. He’s going to be merciless with this.”

She contemplated keeping her plans for her brother to herself, but…

“Wait!” Ryleigh said as she sat up again. “You said you had a plan! You were already plotting your revenge!”

With a sly grin, she nodded. “I definitely am, but I haven’t put anything into play yet.”

“So? What are you going to do?”

“Let’s just say I may reach out to our good friends, the Murphys, and see how they’re doing.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Especially their daughter.”

Ryleigh’s eyes went wide. “Youwouldn’t! Jamie would freak out!”

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