Page 117 of Meet Dare

I grunt in response. My brain isn’t functioning yet since it’s barely noon and I worked until three in the morning. He hands me a cup of coffee and I down half of it in one go. I sigh as the warm liquid travels through my body performing its magic.

“Better?”

I cradle the mug to my chest. “Much.”

“Next Thursday?”

“Is the day before Friday.”

He chuckles as he kisses my hair. “I asked if you’re working next Thursday.”

“You should know better than to ask me questions before I’ve had my first cup of coffee.”

“My mistake.”

I roll my eyes. “Obviously.”

I’m not kidding. He should know better. He practically lives in my apartment now. He walks Diva while I’m working. Makesme coffee in the morning. And keeps my bed warm so I don’t have to slide in between cold sheets after a long night of working.

He squeezes my hip. “Are. You. Working. Next. Thursday?”

I shrug. “Probably. I’d have to check the schedule. Either way, I can always ask Lennon to fill in for me.”

The former owner ofElectric Vibesis a gem. Despite being ready to give up the responsibilities associated with owning a business, he still enjoys working at the bar a few nights a week. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

“Why?”

“My parents want to take us out to dinner at the brewery with Rowan and Ashlyn.”

“What about Patience?”

No matter how much Ashlyn claims she needs ‘alone time’ with her husband, her daughter is never far from her. Raven and Ruby actually keep track of when they’re allowed to babysit. The grandmas are insistent they have equal rights to babysitting duties.

“I’m sure our niece will be joining us.”

Ourniece. I like the sound of that. Especially since I’m still waiting for Gabrielle or Elizabeth to give me a niece or nephew. They’re both trying but no luck yet. Don’t they know I’m ready to be Auntie Cassie already?

I search for my phone on the kitchen counter but it’s not there.

“Looking for this?” Cedar dangles my phone in front of me.

I snag it from him. “Where was it?”

“On the floor by the front door with your jeans.”

“Why do you sound grumpy? I climbed into bed naked last night. You should be happy.”

He places his hands on the counter on either side of me to box me in. “I am happy.”

He nips at my bottom lip before licking it and I grasp his t-shirt to draw him closer.

“Nuh-uh. No distracting me. Check your agenda before my mother barges in here. She’s been blowing up my phone all morning asking about dinner next Thursday.”

Weird. But not completely unusual. Ever since Raven and Brooks moved back to Winter Falls, they’ve made sure Cedar knows how much they love him. They’re constantly inviting him to dinner or over to watch a movie or for a hike. And since I’m together with Cedar, I’m included in the invitations.

It’s been a blissful two months since Cedar declared his love and we became a couple. Wait a second. Two months? I unlock my phone and open my agenda. July 15th. All day event. In all caps.THE DARE ENDS.

Panic seizes me. Hands squeeze my neck; strangling me. I scratch at them but I can’t alleviate the fear choking me. He’s leaving. The man I love is abandoning me. I knew life was too good to be true.Stupid, stupid, Cassandra.I should have never opened my heart to anyone.

---