Page 114 of Wallflower

I was taken aback. "Then what made you do it?"

"You asked me, flower." Dare stepped closer and ran a hand over my cheek. "That was enough for me."

My dad cleared his throat.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he said. "I really am sorry, Viola. The fact that you went to such lengths to get me back is a little scary. But I know I deserved it."

I nodded. "You definitely did."

"I promise it won't happen again. I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

"It's okay, Dad," I said and smiled at him. "You're my favorite muggle, remember?"

"And you're my baby girl." He pulled me in for a hug then looked between the two of us, making sure to shoot Dare a warning look. "I'll give you two five minutes, but if you're not back in here, I'll come looking for you, Frost."

"Yes, sir," Dare said.

My father was suddenly all business.

"Alright then," he said and looked to Tyson. "Last I checked we have a game coming up this week. Time to work out a strategy for beating Broughton. You up for it, Ty?"

"You know it, sir," Tyson said back. He threw Dare and I grin. "You two kids have fun."

"But not too much fun," my dad said seriously then nodded a clear dismissal.

As Dare spirited me off into the hall where this all began, I had a hard time sifting through all of the revelations, believing what I thought I'd just heard.

"Dare," I said a little out of breath, "I have something to tell you. So please don't interrupt."

Dare nodded. "Okay but talk fast. I've got five minutes, and I'm not going to waste all that time talking."

My heart was beating triple-time. The implication of his words was clear, but I had to get this out.

"I know you told me at the beginning not to fall in love with you," I said.

Dare went to speak, but I silenced him with a look.

"You're so confident, some might even say cocky." His smile grew, but I kept going. "I love that, and the fact that you're also kind, smart and funny. It definitely doesn't hurt that your body's gorgeous, and your face could be on book covers."

He chuckled at that.

"You're an amazing soccer player, Dare. I've honestly never seen anyone better. But you're so much more than that. It doesn't make sense that we'd be together. I know our relationship was supposed to be fake and that you don't think love is real."

I moved my hand to his cheek, gazing deep into his eyes.

"But you're my person," I said. "I can feel it. As surely as I feel your skin against my palm or the breath in my lungs, I know that you are the one for me. And I love you so much, Dare Frost, that it's okay if you don't believe in love. I'll love you enough for both of us."

Dare's eyes were sparkling, and he lifted a brow.

"Are you finished?" he said. "Because I have some things to say, too."

"Go ahead," I said.

Dare's voice when he spoke was filled with intensity.

"This was never fake for me," he said. "I've wanted you for years, flower. I just never thought I was good enough to have you."

"But—"

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