Page 39 of Wallflower

"Hey Dare," I said. "I wanted to say thanks. You really helped me out the other day. I appreciate how you stepped in like that on my behalf."

"No problem," Dare said, turning to face me. "It's what any good friend would've done."

I shook my head. "I'm not sure about that. But thank you."

"You're welcome." His eyes were bright as he said, "Though if you're thanking me for the kiss, I should tell you, flower, there's no need. I enjoyed it. Thoroughly."

He had?

Inside, my heart did a happy dance, but I forced myself to concentrate.

"Oh," I said, willing my cheeks to stop blushing. "Me, too. The enjoyment was…I mean, yes. Very thorough." Goodness, what was I saying? "Anyway, that's not really what I wanted to talk to you about."

Dare sat back and crossed his arms. "Okay. Shoot," he said.

"I need your help with something."

He waited for me to go on.

With a deep breath, I met his gaze.

"I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend again," I said.

Dare nodded slowly. "To keep the lie going from yesterday? In that case, I'm down. I never really liked Whingrid much anyway."

"Huh?"

At my look of confusion, he shrugged. "It's their couple name. I came up with it because Whitney and Ingrid are always attached at the hip."

I laughed, couldn't help it. "Whingrid? Oh my gosh, that's good!"

"Glad you like it," he said. "So, is that why?"

"No, no." I waved him off. "I could care less what they think. Anyway, if either of them bought that we're actually together, I'd be surprised."

"I think you underestimate how convincing our kiss was," he said. "But go on. Now, I'm curious. If it's not for them, why do you need me to play your boyfriend?"

"Well, I—"

Dare held up a hand. "And don't say to make some other guy jealous. You can forget it, flower. Not saying I couldn't make some poor schmuck want you. I could do that in a heartbeat. But I won't."

"Why not?" I asked.

"I have my reasons," he said all cryptic.

I was thrown by this. "That's not it either," I said.

"Well, what is the reason?"

"If you'll give me a chance, I'll tell you."

This time he didn't interrupt.

"I need you to play my boyfriend, so I can make Dad regret going behind my back. Even if he had good intentions, hiring you as my friend was beyond messed up. He needs to see that meddling is wrong." I was on a roll now. "I'll pretend to fall for you. We get caught in a few compromising positions. After a time, once he's seen the light, I'll reveal the truth. Dad'll learn a valuable lesson. I'll have gotten even. And you will have my undying gratitude. Doesn't that sound perfect?"

Dare was giving me the strangest look.

"Wait a sec," he said and leaned forward. "So, you want me to fake being your boyfriend to get revenge on your father?"

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