Page 69 of Meet Dare

“Eden is going to kill me,” I mutter as they march in a single file through the room bulldozing anyone in their way.

Cedar laughs as he throws an arm around me. “She’s a Winter Falls native. She’ll be fine.”

I snuggle into his warmth before I realize what I’m doing. Stop! Abort mission. Abort. Abort. I duck under his arm and rush away.

“I need to make sure the bar is stocked,” I say with a glance over my shoulder.

Guessing by the amused expression on his face, he knows I’m running away. When I arrive at the bar, I lean against the coolers and inhale a few deep breaths. What is it about Cedar? He makes every nerve in my body crackle with awareness. Does he have to be cute and funny too?

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I remove it and readWhat happens when you touch a pure white unicorn?

I don’t get a chance to typepeacebefore he answers.

The same thing that happens when I slide into you.

Oh my. Is it hot in here? It feels hot in here.

“What are you reading?” Elizabeth asks from next to me.

I shove my phone into my pocket. “Nothing.”

“Hmm… Avoidance. Plus, you’re blushing. I bet it was dirty.”

I snort. “Whatever. You shouldn’t be behind the bar.”

She leans close to whisper, “Don’t worry. I know the owner.”

I widen my eyes. “Oh yeah? Does the owner know the professional insurance policy doesn’t cover risk when a non-employee is behind the bar?”

Her mouth drops open. “Who are you and what have you done with my crazy sister who thinks life isn’t worth living without a bit of risk?”

“I never said a life without risk isn’t worth living.”

She barks out a laugh. “Ha! It’s a direct quote from the time you decided to ‘borrow’ Beckett’s truck before you had your driver’s license and go mudding with it.”

“Shush. Beckett doesn’t know.”

She rolls her eyes. “Please. He knows. He’s not an idiot.”

“I didn’t say he was an idiot.”

Gabrielle slow claps from the other side of the bar. “Wonderful performance. I always enjoy watching my sisters bicker at a party.”

I say the only thing I can to distract her, “Where’s Phoenix?”

She motions toward where Phoenix is standing with his brothers, River and Lyric, as well as Beckett and Cedar. My feet carry me to them before my brain can catch up.

I force my way to the middle of the group and poke Beckett with my finger. “You better not be doing some stupid initiation ritual. I will not stand for you bullying the man I’m with.”

“We were discussing the Rockies game,” River says but everyone ignores him.

Beckett crosses his arms over his chest. “Are you admitting you’re involved with Cedar?”

“I don’t discuss my love life with you.”

“Love life?”

“Sex life. I meant sex.”

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