Page 31 of Dare Me

“You should probably order some necessities online just in case.”

“In case what?”

“For starters, not everything we buy this weekend will come home with you that day. Furniture has to be delivered, so maybe grab a few cheap items just so you’re not sleeping on the floor.”

“Hmm…good idea. I guess I can do that.”

“What’s the most important thing on the list?”

“A bed,” he said with a grimace.

“Oh my God, Will!” she said with a laugh. “That’s a little bold, don’t you think?”

That made him laugh. “I meant because I’ll need someplace to sleep. And this bed in Liam’s guest room is the worst.”

“Yes! Oh, thank goodness it wasn’t just me! I hated it!”

“How did you sleep on it for a year?”

“Well…I didn’t,” she said hesitantly. “I slept in his bed until I knew he was coming home. Thankfully it was only a handful of nights.”

“I get it. And I know I’ll need to really shop around to get the right mattress, but maybe I can order just a basic memory foam one online and put it in the guest room after mine comes.”

“Good plan! And hopefully future guests won’t curse you the way we’re cursing my brother!”

He had to agree. “So what do you say? Will you shop with me this weekend?”

“Will…”

“I’m not going to force you to go. We were playing a game and if you really don’t want to, I’ll respect that.”

Her initial response was to yawn. “Sorry,” she murmured. “It was a long week.” Then she sighed. “I really want to say yes.”

“Then say it,” he urged her. “You were upset with me because I didn’t try before, but…I’m trying now.”

She was quiet for several long moments. “And my family actually said for you to call me?”

There was no way he would lie to her right now. “Well, they suggested both of you and then strongly recommended your sister because apparently she’s crazy organized.”

That made her laugh. “Oh, yeah. Ryleigh’s a freak with that sort of thing. There would be lists and a schedule and…ugh. We might have to keep her on standby.”

“Only if you want to because the only Donovan sister I want to spend time with is you,” he said quietly.

“Dammit, Will…”

“What? What did I do?”

“I really want to still be mad at you,” she whined, “but…I don’t know. I can’t. Not totally.”

“I get it and I deserve that. Just…spend the day with me next Saturday. Please.”

Again she went quiet for several moments before whispering, “Please don’t make me regret this.”

“Never,” he vowed. “Never again.”

“Okay. Then I’ll see you Saturday.”

Chapter Five

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