Page 9 of The Dare

At first glance, I can tellthisis the daughter of the woman I saw earlier.

As my glance transforms into a fixed stare, my eyes meet hers for the first time, and I know it’s her that I’ve been looking for since boarding.

It’s her I’ve been waiting for. Not just today, but my whole life has led up to this moment.

I’ve just foundthe one. I know I have.

Chapter Three

Natasha

I’ve never seen Suzanna so worked up, not for a long time. Especially over a stupid dare.

Even my mom sounds concerned as she asks what’s going on.

Suzanna fills my mom in quietly even though I’ve already agreed to her dare, which bugs me a little.

They’ve had plenty of time to get close on the way to meet me for the trip back, and it shows.

My jealousy doesn’t last long, changing to curiosity once she tells her tale.

“There’s a freakin’ god on the train,” Suze whispers, looking around like she’s revealing the world’s biggest secret.

“Aman,” she explains, looking at me like I need to have it spelled out for me.

Mom leans back in her seat, chuckling quietly.

“I think I saw him too,” she confides, reddening just a little and sighing to herself as she looks out the window.

“So?” I ask, not meaning to sound so snappy.

“So… I think you should come and take a look,” Suze says, narrowing her eyes again, making a low sound that reeks of a challenge.

Reeks of the dare I know she has coming for me.

The one I haven’t heard yet but already know it just has something to do with this new and exciting stranger on board.

I hear myself swallowing hard for some reason, my stomach feeling like I’m in a falling elevator all of a sudden.

“Youhaveto come and see him,” Suze groans, rolling her eyes and making gross sucking and slurping noises with her mouth.

Like wet flesh slapping.

Mom laughs but I just make a face. My insides doing somersaults now because I know Suze well enough.

She’ll have come up with more than just some regular dare involving this guy, whoever he is. I can just feel it.

She’s got four years ofgotcha!to catch up on and I think she’s not gonna miss her chance while my mom’s around either.

I look to my mom for some kind of guidance, but she only shrugs and cocks her brow before laughing with Suzanna, who's still making disgusting moaning and slapping sounds.

“Come on now,” mom finally says, urging me with a glance to go ahead. To play along with Suze and her silly game.

Her whole look sums up everything she’s wished for me my whole life.

Go on, Natasha. Have some fun for a change…

I pull in a breath and push down my anxiety, and force a smile, playfully grabbing hold of Suze.