Page 82 of Wallflower

Meeting Dare's eyes, he slowly lowered me to my feet.

"It's nothing, Mom," I said. "Dare just came by so we can go to the party together."

"Oh, did he?" she said. Dare's eyes widened. He'd heard the warning in her voice, too. And that was before she added, "Young man, you need to step away and turn to face me in the next five seconds. Or else."

I could almost see Dare considering whether to defy her, but I shook my head.

"You should do what she says," I murmured. "My mom's awesome, but you don't want to cross her."

Dare stared at me a moment longer then turned to face my mother.

Mom lifted a brow. "I'm guessing you're Dare Frost?"

"Yes, ma'am, I am," he said, and I gave him side-eye.

"Too late for the polite act. I've already walked in on you kissing the life out of my only child." Mom obviously felt the same way I did about the ma'am thing.

Dare's mouth pulled to the side in a playful grin. "Can you blame me? You have a lovely daughter, Mrs. Kent."

Wrong thing to say.

Mom's eyes narrowed. "Oh yes, she's wonderful, and I absolutely can blame you. What were you two thinking? Making out in the living room where anyone could see?" Her voice quieted as she said, "You're lucky it was me who came in and not her father. There's a good chance he would've went all Hulk on you."

"Do you really think Dad would do something like that, though?" I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Dare's his star player after all."

"And you're his baby girl!" She threw up her hands. "You father would've ripped his legs off—and he probably wouldn't even stop there."

Dare winced at that.

"Not to mention what all the uncles would do if they found out," she murmured. "So again, what the heck were you thinking?"

I tugged the bottom of my shirt and shrugged. "I guess I wasn't. We just got a little carried away."

"Don't be mad at Viola, Mrs. Kent," Dare said. "It wasn't her fault."

"Oh, I know." Mom ran her eyes over him. "Trust me, I know my daughter. We tell each other everything."

Her gaze settled on me next, and I could see the confusion and hurt there.

"Or at least, I thought we did."

Ugh, it felt like a punch to the gut. The three of us were in the middle of the most awkward staring contest ever, and I was this close to telling her it was all pretend—though that kiss had felt so very real—when Dad walked out and tossed an arm over her shoulders.

"What's going on?" he asked. "I thought I heard arguing."

Nobody answered, and Dad looked from Mom to me and finally to Dare.

"Frost," he said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Just dropped by," Dare said.

Mom lifted a brow. "Viola and Dare are supposed to be going to a party."

"Oh, that's great," he said. "Hope you kids have fun."

Mom scoffed as Dad threw Dare a wink.

"But not too much fun."

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