Page 29 of Shiver

“I don’t buy it,” Charlie says.

“Me neither,” a few others respond, and I know they aren’t going to let this go.

“Majority rules. If your ‘truth’ is deemed a lie by most of us, you have to do a dare.”

“You know, this feels a lot like hazing,” I joke, a lighthearted laugh slipping past my lips. I don’t actually feel threatened in any way, but I am a little miffed that they’re not letting this go.

Gloria’s eyes widen before her whole face softens. She places her hand on my thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze before quietly saying, “I never want you to feel that way, Samara. I’m truly sorry if we’ve pushed you too far. I’m a bit of a jokester, but everyone has their limits, and I sincerely apologize if I’ve overstepped.”

I’m taken aback by this. She seems like someone who’s usually unapologetic for her actions, but evidently, that’s a poor assessment too.

“I won’t lie and say I’m used to this kind of banter because I’m not.” At least, I haven’t been in a few years. I haven’t really had many friends since Cora, and I’ve poured myself into my work as a result. “But I don’t really feel like I’m being hazed. Don’t worry. I’ll do your dare; just make sure it isn’t anything too wild.”

“I have a dare,” Kat says excitedly. Something about her soothes me. She’s the type of person you cantelldoesn’t have a single malicious bone in her body. My shoulders relax at the thought of her being the one to make a suggestion.

“Okay, go for it,” I urge.

“I dare you to come to my wedding,” she says.

The thought makes me smile. I love weddings. “That’s really sweet, but I’m not sure that’s much of a dare.” I chuckle.

Her eyes crinkle at the sides. “You see, the thing is…” She trails off, and my stomach twists before she finally continues, wringing her hands nervously. “The wedding is only a few months away, and we don’t have any extra space. We’ve been trying to keep it relatively small so the venue doesn’t accommodate any extra people.”

My brows pull together in confusion.Where the hell is this going?

“There’s one seat available…” She looks down at her feet, cheeks glowing pink. “As Luca’s plus one.”

I have to fight the urge to smack a hand over my face. Evenshe’sa little deviant. “This whole family is full of troublemakers.” I groan, but there’s a part of me that enjoys it. Ilikethat they’ve taken me in as one of their own immediately, not knowing me at all, and yet they feel comfortable enough to treat me the same as they would anyone else in this room.

“I’m not setting you up!” she exclaims. “I’m simply looking out for my wedding party. Luca’s one of our groomsmen, obviously, and he needs someone to walk down the aisle with him. Otherwise, our photos will be ruined, and frankly, he probably won’t have a lot of time for dating now that he’s got Gia.” She flutters her lashes at me. “Please, help me out?”

“Trouble, every single one of you,” I say, shaking my head. “Fine, but only for the sake of your pictures.AndI won’t wear pastels,” I say with a pointed glare.

“You can wear a tutu for all I care, but the bridesmaids’ dresses are cabernet satin, so I’d suggest one of those,” she says with a chuckle.

“Alright, send me the details, and I’ll do my best to be there.”

“Ah, really? Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!” she says before snatching a handful of salt-and-vinegar chips from the coffee table and settling back into her seat. As I peer around the room, everyone looks incredibly pleased with this turn of events, and the idea that I sort of am, too, has my ears burning.

It’s just one night. One single night with Luca De Laurentiis.

Chapter twenty-seven

Samara

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Kat sent me the link to the website her other bridesmaids used for their dresses. Luckily, she wasn’t picky about the style. She said I could choose whatever I wanted so long as it was satin and in the correct color.

I appreciate that more than she knows. I’ve been in more weddings than I can keep track of, and every time, the bride made me wear a dress that fit everyoneother than me.I always felt so uncomfortable. My breasts were either pooling out of the top, my back fat was being strangled, my belly pooched out, or my hips were so constricted that I could hardly move, let alone dance.

It definitely eased my mind to know that I get to choose my own dress so it fits me properly.

But that doesn’t calm the warring emotions I’m feeling about having to go with Luca.

This feels wholly inappropriate.

Hell,I knowit’s inappropriate, but hopefully, in the next week, the last of the paperwork will be filed, and I won’t really be his lawyer anyway.

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