He lifts his shoulders and gives me a grin, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes, for some reason. “Same same but different? You’re seriously smart, Kat, I’m sure you’ll do great on your exams.”
I hand him the bag full of sandwiches and soups for the cops on shift, hoping my blush isn’t too noticeable. “Thanks, Hunter.”
I wish I could say more, but I’m tongue-tied, just like every time he compliments me.
“See ya around, Kat.” With a wave, Hunter walks out of the café, my eyes trailing after him, watching his perfect butt move in those uniform pants.
“Wipe your chin, you’re drooling.”
My head whips around to face my friend Lily, just as my hand comes to my face, in case she isn’t joking. “Shush. Don’t say that so loud.”
Lily just rolls her eyes. “Seriously? The only person around here who doesn’t know you’re crushing on Hunter Callaghan, is Hunter Callaghan.” She pauses, tilting her head to the side. “And your brothers, I guess.”
“And they never will,” I whisper fiercely, scrubbing the counter as I glare at her. “Because you are going to keep your mouth shut.”
Lily scoffs. “As if your brothers would listen to me, anyway.”
It’s my turn to roll my eyes. Because she’s got a point. We’ve been best friends since we were kids, which means my four older brothers have also known her since we were kids. And Lily is basically their second little sister.
“It doesn’t matter, anyway. It’s not like anything is ever going to happen with me and Hunter. I just don’t need them knowing I like him that way. You know the boys would never let me hear the end of it; after what happened with Tyson, they seem more determined than ever to make me live my life as a spinster.”
“I’m going to ignore the fact that you’re letting your idiot brothers dictate your love life. Getting rid of Tyson was a blessing in disguise, and you know it. Even if it did hurt at the time. Besides, how can you say nothing’s going to happen when you haven’t given Hunter a chance? I see the way he looks at you sometimes, like a lost puppy who wants to follow you home.” Lily giggles as she accepts the cup of tea I push across to her.
“What is it with everyone comparing Hunter to a dog,” I mutter under my breath. “There’s no point. Anything I feel for him is definitely one-sided.”
“Um, first of all, you’re wrong. Anyone looking at the guy can see the hearts in his eyes. And they’ve only become more obvious since you dumped the douche. But second of all, the point is, you could get laid. As your nearest and dearest friend, I happen to know it’s been a while. After all, before video-gate, you hadn’t even seen Tyson in how long, six months? Even if you don’t want to date Hunter — which I don’t think is the truth — you could just have some hot sex.”
“Shh! Oh my God, Lily. Stop talking about my sex life, would you?” My eyes dart around, but thankfully, no one seems to be paying attention to my annoying best friend. “Besides, I don’t want tojusthave sex with Hunter. Or with anyone, for that matter.”
“Uh-huh, I don’t believe you for a second.” Lily folds her arms across her chest, staring at me. I’m filled with a mixture of dread and anticipation. “I dare you.”
“What?” I freeze. She wouldn’t.
Oh yes, she would. Because she was there throughout my childhood and knows this is the way to make me do something I’m afraid of. She was there when my first dare came from Jude. I was seven, and he dared me to jump from the high diving board at the local swimming pool. Ever since I felt the rush of pride and accomplishment after surfacing from the deep water, conquering my nerves so thoroughly, I’ve never turned down a dare.
“You can’t resist a dare, Kat Donnelly. So, I dare you. I dare you to ask Hunter to the gala. That way, it’s not a proper date, so there’s less pressure.” Lily looks at me triumphantly, making air quotes around the worddate. “It’s just two people going to the same event together.” She spreads her hands out in front of her, as if she’s magically solved all my problems. I open my mouth to respond, but she beats me to it. “Then maybe after the gala, he can give you some big O’s. It’s been a while, my friend. You know it, and I know it. And as your bestie, I’m telling you, it’s time to get back on the horse. Or —” Lily waggles her eyebrows before leaning in and thankfully whispering “— the dick.”
All I can do is shake my head. It isn’t the first crazy thing Lily has said, and it won’t be the last. “You’re insane. And I hate you for using my inability to turn down a dare against me.”
“Honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. It’s the only way to get your head out of the way and make you act. You broke up with Tyson over two months ago, and even before that, it’s not like the relationship was going anywhere. I’ve watched you moon over Hunter Callaghan for way too long not to push you into this. And trust me, he moons, too.”
“He moons, too? That’s not even a proper sentence,” I reply drily, still avoiding the acceptance of her dare, even though she knows — and I know — that I will. I’m also actively squashing the feelings that came up when she oh-so-kindly pointed out that my relationship with Tyson really wasn’t the best. The end was coming for a long time, if I’m being honest.
Thank the freaking universe we’re interrupted by the bells on the door ringing, signaling new customers. And as bold and crazy as Lily is, even she knows not to push this in front of others.
“I’m expecting your acceptance later tonight,” she calls out merrily as she walks out of the café.
“Not happening,” I reply before turning to take Hattie Henderson’s order.
“What’s not happening, dear?” the older woman asks, squinting at me from under yet another crazy hat. She always seems to have a new one; this time it’s bright green with orange stripes.
“Nothing important, Hattie. Just Lily teasing me,” I reply, hoping she accepts the vague answer.
I ring her up, and Hattie goes over to a table by the window, pulling out the paper I often see her in here with. She says she writes letters to her sister who lives on the mainland, which I think is adorable. But Mila says she thinks she’s telling her sister all the Dogwood Cove gossip. Who knows, it’s not like I’m ever a part of anything gossip worthy.
The rest of my shift goes by, and I stay busy enough that I don’t have time to think about Lily’s stupid dare.
But that evening, as I’m heating up some leftovers to eat before I make myself open my pharmacology textbook, I finally open the multiple text messages she’s sent over the course of the day.
