Page 42 of Dare Me

Will seriously wished he could believe that. After their weekend together, he thought they were going in the right direction. But as soon as it was time for her to go, she brought up how no one could know and how she was waiting to hear about a job and he just knew she was letting him down easily.

Damn, maybe I am more suspicious than I thought…

“I guess…” He was saved from saying more when Arianna belted out her last note—loudly.

“Thank you, diners! Good night!” Arianna called out before jumping down from the stage. Everyone clapped and Will caught Jamie laughing his ass off behind the bar.

The next thing he knew, she was sliding into the booth beside him. It was one of those semi-circle ones, so he was essentially sandwiched between the Donovan sisters.

I’m in hell…

“I can’t believe you got up and sang like that!” Ryleigh said with a laugh. “And why that song?”

Arianna laughed with her. “Because our brother is a jackass.”

“Wait, which brother?” Liam asked as he slid in beside her. “Nice singing, by the way. Who were you trying to annoy with that this time?”

“Ha, ha. Very funny,” she said before sticking her tongue out at him.

As Liam moved in a bit more, Arianna ended up practically pressed up against him and he had to fight a groan. Under the table, her hand was right next to his and he wondered what she’d do if he touched it.

“Jamie did it,” Ryleigh provided. “Although I can’t imagine why! I mean, he was back there in the kitchen with you for like two minutes. How did it get to truth or dare territory?”

Will was more than a little curious himself, but she just waved them off.

“You know how Jamie is. He’s an instigator and like a dummy, I took the bait.” She shrugged. “I’m already plotting my revenge.”

“Oh, no,” both Liam and Ryleigh groaned.

“Wait, why oh no?” Will asked.

“The two of them have gotten into epic dare battles,” Liam replied before focusing on Arianna. “Can you please just promise not to exact your revenge tonight? I got stuck in some horrific traffic, my head is pounding, and I’d really just like to have something to eat and relax.”

“Jeez, no worries, Grandpa,” she teased. “You know I never strike directly back. I like to keep him on his toes.”

Before anyone could comment, Patrick arrived and sat down next to Ryleigh. After a brief greeting, he looked at Liam. “So? How was the weekend?”

He shrugged. “The wedding was fun and it was great to see so many familiar faces, but I ended up standing in as a groomsman.”

“Seriously?”

Nodding, Liam explained, “One of the guys got really drunk at the bachelor party and fell and broke his leg. So they asked if I’d stand in. No big deal.”

“Maybe, but it’s super weird,” Arianna commented.

“Why?”

“Because it’s like asking a stranger to be in your wedding party and you’re going to be in all their pictures.”

“But I’m not a stranger,” Liam argued. “Nick and I have been friends since high school. Granted, I did just meet his wife, but…”

“Yeah, I kind of agree with Ari,” Ryleigh chimed in. “It’s weird. To the bride, you were a stranger. I would never let that happen.”

“Don’t listen to either of them,” Patrick said. “None of that matters. Did you hook up with a cute bridesmaid?”

All Liam did was grin before saying, “I was partnered with the most annoying one, though.”

“You didn’t hook up with her, did you?” his brother asked.

---