Page 54 of One More Dare
Porter
I’m sure no one else will ever do as good of a job. You can resume the role when you’re back
I grab a hoodie, only hesitating for a moment before pulling on the one he left at my place weeks ago now. I might havestarted wearing it around my room, but Will is in a different state, so it’s not like he’ll see it. I pull it on and slip my phone into my back pocket while I check my reflection in the mirror. I look fine, but I’ve put almost no effort into my appearance, and definitely no panties since I really don’t have any intention of flirting with anyone tonight. Even if I probably should shift my attention to someone who could reciprocate it.
Will
Text me if it sucks without me and you need a distraction.
Fucking hell.
What is with that easy availability he’s always offering so freely? And how does he do it in such a casual way?
Porter
I think I can manage one whole night without you.
Will
We’ll see ;) I hope you have fun though. I’ll stop distracting you.
I want to say he can distract me any time he wants, but I really should try to spend some time with my friends from work. I like his message instead because I can do this. I can treat Will like all my other friends.
One week. I have one week until he joins me at the lake house.
One week to get over this crush before we’re all alone on a trip together.
It’ll be fine.
One week was not nearlyenough time to get over Will.
My stomach flips, and my heart rate skyrockets as he pulls up to the rental house. His face lights up after he gets out of the car and notices me wrapped up under the blanket on the patio furniture enjoying my morning coffee.
I probably should have acted a bit more casual than literally waiting outside for him, but when he texted me that he was almost here, I forgot any plans of relaxing on my own and couldn’t help myself.
Will grabs his bag and practically jogs up to meet me on the porch. I want to jump up and throw my arms around him while I complain about how much I missed him during our time apart. But that would be a bit much, even for me. I manage to remain in my seat, instead calling out, “Hey, you made it!” in greeting.
“Wouldn’t have missed this.” He aims his megawatt smile right at me, and I want to melt. Is it possible that he somehow became even more attractive over the last week? Maybe it’s the stubble on his jaw, it looks like he hasn’t shaved in a few days, but I can’t tear my eyes away from his gorgeous face as he looks around the outside of the house. “This place is unreal.”
“Right?” I agree, hoping the hearts in my eyes aren’t as obvious as they feel. “Josie crushed it as usual. We had such a good time.”
“Yeah? What have you guys been up to?” he asks like we haven’t been texting all week as he sits down on the chair beside me.
“Nothing crazy. We took turns cooking, drank too much wine, and played cards by the fireplace. She made me open another gift because she said I needed something to unwrap even though this lake house was far more than enough.” I look up and almost forget how to speak as I meet Will’s gaze. He’s staring at me like I’m telling an elaborate story, and he doesn’t want to miss any of the details. I can feel my cheeks heating under his attention, but try to continue normally. “Yesterday we went intotown, got coffee, and walked around the little shops. It was nice.”
I pause, looking out at the water. The lake is small enough that I can see the other side. It’s quiet and calm out here, just the wind moving through the trees and the occasional ripple breaking the surface. The truth is, as much fun as it was being here with Josie, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about when Will would be here with me the whole trip.
Friends enjoy spending time together. I’m not admitting to anything more by being honest about missing him. So I decide to tell him. “I’m really glad she went to that engagement thing, though, and that I get to spend the rest of the time with you.”
Somehow his smile grows even bigger as he nods. “I’m glad too.”
We look at each other for a long moment, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. Finally, I force myself to move, nudging his foot with mine as I tease, “If you’re finished staring at me, I’ll give you the tour.”
He laughs. “Lead the way.”
We stand, and I do just that. The cabin smells faintly of wood, and a leather couch with decorative pillows faces the fireplace with a small wood dining table tucked into the far corner of the open space. The kitchen looks completely remodeled while still tying in some personality with blue and green accents. The house is very lake themed, but not in a cheesy way. I love it.
“There are two bedrooms,” I explain when we get to the hallway. “Josie slept in that room, and I slept in this one. We can see if they have extra sheets, I haven’t?—”
