Page 67 of Wallflower

"There," I said.

He looked down at the gap between our bodies and said, "Uh, flower, you could fit a tank in there. Don't you think we should be a little closer?"

I shook my head. "Nope. I think we're exactly how we should be to communicate the proper idea to my father."

"Were you going for middle school dance?" Dare said, and I shot him a glare. "Cause that's definitely what this pose says. I'm pretty sure I've never been this far away from a girl I dated."

"Have a lot of experience with that, do you?" I rolled my eyes but moved in a few inches. "There. I've closed the gap."

Dare scoffed. "Yeah by about an inch."

I scooted forward the tiniest bit, and he rolled his eyes.

"Seriously flower, he's going to think we're practicing for that imaginary theater class again."

"I'll have you know a variation of this pose is on several of the book covers I love as well as in my favorite movies," I said.

Looking over my shoulder toward the road, I didn't see Dad's car yet, but I knew he must be on his way. He always came home around the same time.

"If you let me," Dare said, "I'll help you."

"You already are, silly," I said.

"Don't think," he said, taking a step forward. "Just react to what I do."

I swallowed as he met my gaze. "I still think we should keep our distance."

In answer, Dare closed the gap completely, putting him flush against me.

I held back a gasp.

"Why?" he said. "This is to show your dad we're a couple. Isn't it?"

I nodded, and a moment later his hand was on my cheek.

"And we both know it's not real." He scanned my face. "Right?"

"Of course," I said.

"Then there should be no problem with me doing this."

His other hand slid down a few inches from my waist to rest against my hip…then went slightly lower.

"You're playing with fire." A forced laugh left my lips, and I lifted my gaze to his. "I thought you said you didn't want to get benched."

He grinned. The next moment his hand had moved up, but he pulled my shirt along with it. There was no way to know if that was his intention. But his palm now rested against a small stretch of my exposed skin, and I tried not to hyperventilate.

"Think Coach would like this better?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said, trying to keep my heartrate steady. "But I draw the line at kissing. There will be absolutely none of that."

Dare nodded. "Okay. If that's what you want, we won't kiss."

I felt both relief and disappointment even though it had been my suggestion.

"Great," I said, trying to convince myself. "That's great."

"We're just flirting, flower." Dare tilted his head as he leaned forward. "No big deal. Take a deep breath and try to relax."

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