Page 109 of Wallflower

"He is. Now, will you just tell me what happened?"

I gave a shrug. "There's not much to tell. We went out to a Mexican place, had some chips and salsa."

"That's sounds delicious," Dare said, but it sounded more like an insult. "What did you guys talk about?"

"You, mostly," I said and glanced over to see him grin.

"Must've been a good conversation then."

My pulse pounded, and I turned my head back to the road.

"You have no idea," I said.

"Did you have fun?" he asked.

"Not exactly, but it was okay."

"Was he rude to you or something?" There was a warning in his voice that I couldn't miss, and my heart warmed. "If he was, you just tell me Viola, and I'll—"

"No, no," I said, "Ty was nice. Just like you said he'd be."

Dare ran a hand over his jaw. "So, you and Ty hit it off then. That's good."

"Is it?" I asked and waited with bated breath for his answer.

"Yeah, I'm relieved."

"You are?"

"Well, yeah." He laughed, and my stomach coiled into knots. "You like him—and why wouldn't you? Ty's a stand-up guy who'll treat you right." I couldn't get a word in before he kept going. "I know you're a romantic, flower. I'm glad you got the fairytale like you wanted."

I exhaled in a whoosh. "You're saying you want me to be with Tyson?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

His words had me fighting back a sob.

"He's better for you than I ever could be. That's for sure," he said.

"I don't know about that," I mumbled.

"I just want you to be with someone who can make you happy."

That's you, you idiot. Why can't you see that?

I wanted to shout the words at him but bit my tongue.

"Oh, and I meant to tell you, I'm getting my car back."

"You are?" I said. "When?"

"Should be by the end of the week." He threw me a smile, completely oblivious to the state of my emotions. "Yep, so you and Buttercup won't have to drive me anymore. I'll miss you both, though. And my morning treats."

I was on auto-pilot as I parked the car and turned to face him.

"Dare," I said. "I need to tell you something."

"Alright flower, I'm listening," he said.

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