Page 98 of Meet Dare

“I vote not at all.”

“Not an option.”

I glance at Lennon across the bar. He smiles and winks at me. Crap. He won’t hesitate to gather the gossip gals and the rest of the town together to listen if I stay out here to talk to Cedar.

“My office.” I stomp my way through the bar down the hallway to my office with Cedar following.

“Princess, you need to let me explain,” he begins once we’re behind a closed door.

I rub my temples where I can feel a headache blossoming. I have no desire to have this conversation. On top of which, I’m tired as I haven’t slept well since I found out Cedar’s planning to leave before the dare is over. I wasn’t prepared for him to leave early.

You weren’t prepared for him to leave at all.

I’m going to strangle the voice of reason in my head before the day is over.

I collapse into the desk chair. “Whatever. Go ahead.”

“Are you going to listen to me?”

“No. I’m planning to sit here and mentally go through my stock order.”

“I got it!” Lennon shouts through the door.

Note to self: Buy a soundproof door.

Cedar sits in the chair across from my desk.

“Make yourself comfortable, why don’t you?”

“Don’t mind if I do. I’m sitting here until you stop being stubborn and listen to me.”

I snort. “You can’t out stubborn me.”

He shrugs and settles back in his chair. “Maybe not. But I am sitting between you and the door.”

I roll my eyes. “Big deal.”

“The door leading to the restrooms.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He knows my bladder is the size of a pea – a baby pea at that – and just mentioning a bathroom is enough to make me need to go.

“I’m not standing in your way.” He motions to the door. “Go ahead. I’ll be here when you return.”

“Don’t you need to work? Oh wait. You probably already gave notice at your old job,” I snarl.

“I told you. I didn’t accept the job.”

“It doesn’t matter. Sooner or later a job is going to come along and off you go.”

“Wrong.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “Why should I believe you?”

“I’m not leaving Winter Falls.”

Liar. I wouldn’t have had to dare him to stay if he wasn’t planning on leaving sooner or later.

“Which is why you’re hiding out on land outside of the town.”

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