Page 29 of Truth or Dare

We reached the parking lot of La Familia, the Italian restaurant I loved, and he reluctantly let go of my hand to park the car. As soon as we stopped, he jumped out and rushed around to open my door, ever the gentleman. I let him help me out of the car, though something about his over-the-top chivalry made me uneasy. It was nice, sure, but this was a side of Evan I wasn’t used to.

Inside, the smell of fresh garlic and herbs wrapped around me like a warm hug. He pulled out my chair before sitting across from me, his eyes scanning the menu. “What are you getting?” he asked.

I already knew my answer. “Eggplant parmigiana,” I said, barely glancing at the menu.

He rolled his eyes, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “You always get that. Try something different.”

I shook my head just as the waiter arrived, placing a basket of warm rosemary ciabatta bread and a dish of garlic-infused olive oil between us. The bread was still warm, the scent tempting enough to make my stomach growl. “Nope. I’m sticking to what I like.”

Evan chuckled but didn’t push it, tearing off a piece of bread and dipping it into the oil. After placing our orders, he leaned forward, his gaze catching mine. “You want to come over and watch a movie after dinner?”

I hesitated, ripping a piece of the soft bread and dunking it in the oil. “Are your parents home?”

“They’ll be back by ten. They went to the club with Randy’s parents.” He shrugged, biting into the bread.

I took a bite of mine, the warm, garlicky flavor bursting in my mouth. “What movie?” I asked after swallowing, trying to sound casual even though my mind was already wandering. I knewhow the night would probably end. Evan’s bedroom was massive—luxurious, even. A private bathroom, a kitchenette, and an eighty-inch TV mounted on the wall. It felt more like a mini-apartment than a bedroom.

“Anything you want,” he said, his tone casual, though his eyes sparkled. “I’ve got a ton.”

I knew he did. He always had access to the best of everything—like the sleek Audi he was driving tonight, his second new car, even though he’d only had his license for two years. Typical Evan—whatever he wanted, he got. But I wasn’t interested in the flashy stuff.

“How about an old movie?” I asked, hiding a smirk.

Evan groaned, already knowing where this was headed. He tore another piece of bread, eyes narrowing. “Don’t even say it.”

I grinned mischievously, unable to resist. “Titanic.”

He threw his head back, exasperated. “I said don’t say it!”

I laughed, knowing I had him. “We’re watching it.”

He glared playfully, but I knew he’d give in. He always did, especially for me. He’d pretend to hate it, but by the end of the night, we’d be tangled up on that massive sectional of his, kissing until we fell asleep in each other’s arms. Just like always.

Still, part of me wasn’t thinking about the movie—or the kissing. I wanted to be in his room for another reason entirely. That notebook he kept stashed away in his drawer—it gnawed at me. I wasn’t proud of the fact, but I wanted to know if he’d written anything about me in it. Something deeper, something real.

Maybe tonight, I’d find out.

I kickedoff my heels and sprawled out on Evan’s plush sectional, sighing deeply. The long day, topped with a huge meal, had left me exhausted. Across the room, Evan removed his suit jacket, loosening his tie as he glanced my way.

“You want to get comfortable?” His voice was casual, but his eyes lingered on me for a second longer than usual. “I was going to change into some sweats and a t-shirt.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And what would I wear?”

He flashed a grin and headed toward his dresser, rummaging through the drawers. “You left a pair of yoga pants here last summer. I’ll toss in one of my shirts too, unless you’re planning to rock that dress all night.”

I glanced down at the jersey fabric of my dress, which was soft but suddenly felt constricting. “I guess I could change.”

He tossed a pair of gray yoga pants and a black t-shirt onto the bed. His own hands moved to unbutton his shirt, and as he shrugged it off, I caught sight of something that made me gasp. A dark bruise sprawled across his side like a swirl of purples and blacks, ugly and out of place on his usually perfect skin.

“What the hell happened?” I shot up from the couch and crossed the room, fingertips lightly tracing the edges of the bruise.

Evan winced but didn’t stop me. “Got hit hard in the game last week. It’s no big deal, happens all the time.”

I bent down, pressing a soft kiss to his ribs before straightening, my hand still resting gently on his side. “You need to be more careful.”

He smirked and tugged me closer, his fingers drifting to the zipper of my dress. The familiar tug of tension filled the room. His hands slid to my hips, his voice low and coaxing. “You know I could make you feel better...”

I froze, the air suddenly thick between us. His grip on my thighs tightened as he lifted me effortlessly, and I instinctivelywrapped my legs around his waist. Before I knew it, he had me on the bed, his weight pressing down, lips hovering near mine.

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