"Your video with Tyson," he said.
"Oh…that," I said.
"Yeah"—Dad ran a hand through his hair—"that. I figured you'd be pretty down about it and wanted to catch you before you went home and spilled all your secrets to your mother. I get that you two have a connection, and that's great. But I love you, too, you know. You can always talk to me."
My throat closed up with unshed tears.
It had really been a day, and for some reason, his words got to me.
"Thanks, Dad," I said. "That means a lot."
"No problem." His mouth quirked up. "And hey, how are things with you and Dare going? You two getting along?"
"Yeah," I said carefully, "we are. Why? Did you hear something?"
My father waved that off. "Ah, there's always weird gossip going around. I don't put much stock in it."
So he had heard about Dare and me but completely dismissed the idea.
I didn't know if I was relieved or upset about that fact.
"He even gave me his shirt today, so I wouldn't have to walk around in the same one I wore in the video," I put in and waited for his reaction.
"Oh, I thought I recognized that shirt," he said.
"Yeah, Mrs. Clemmons walked in right after he gave it to me."
"Well, isn't that nice," he said, sitting back in his chair with a self-satisfied grin. The logistics of how Dare and I would've exchanged shirts never even seemed to cross his mind. "Sounds like you two are friends now. Who would've thought, huh?"
Who, indeed?
"Is there anything you wanted to tell me?" I asked, giving him a chance to come clean, hoping he would.
But Dad shook his head. "Nope, I think I'm good."
Of course, he was, I thought. His "friend" plan seemed to be working like a dream, and as far as he knew, I was none the wiser.
I sighed, told Dad I loved him and left his office, wondering what he would've said if he knew I'd been shirtless in the same room with a shirtless Dare Frost. My father was wrong. I couldn't talk to him or Mom, at least not about this. There were just some things you didn't discuss with the parents. It was a good thing I knew someone who would listen.
#
"I'm telling you, Hermione," I said while brushing her thick fur. "Between one breath and the next, bam! His shirt was gone, and I couldn't tear my eyes away."
Hermione chuffed like she totally understood my dilemma.
"I can't even say I minded it much, you know?"
I petted her between brushes, a soothing gesture for both of us.
"I mean, Dare had agreed earlier to be my fake boyfriend, and it was so decent of him to try and help me after the video. Plus, he is beautiful. Glorious even. His shoulders are sculpted, and he has that muscle that leads from the neck down to the shoulders. And don't even get me started on his V. I think they call them obliques? But Dare's should just be called sexy."
Hermione rested her head against my shoulder, and I sighed.
"My first thought was: Thank you, soccer."
I looked down, meeting her dark brown eyes.
"I couldn't even get angry with him when I realized he saw me change—though I was embarrassed for sure. Do you think that's stupid?"
In answer, she licked my nose, making me smile.
"See? I knew you'd understand," I said.
Paris came into the back then. "Well, this sounds interesting," she said. "If you need any guy advice, I'm here for you, Vi."
"Yes, please," I said, leading Hermione back into her cage, giving Professor Snape a quick scratch. I'd already done him and all of the other dogs, but I'd intentionally saved my girl for last. I headed over to stand next to Paris. "I'd love some advice."
"Guys are unpredictable," she said. "Especially ones like Dare."
I nodded. "That sounds right. I can't get a good read on him."
"Did I hear you mention something about a fake boyfriend?"
My eyes narrowed on my boss. "Exactly how long were you standing out there?"
"Oh come on," she said with a laugh. "Can you blame me for listening? You always share your best stuff with the animals. This just saves you from having to repeat the story to me."
I shook my head.
"Sooo?" She moved her hand in and go-ahead gesture. "Out with it. What's all this fake stuff about?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me," she said.
Crossing my arms, I arched a brow. "I need Dare to pretend to be my boyfriend to get revenge on my dad, who hired him to be my friend without my knowledge."
Paris blinked.
And blinked again.
After the third blink, I said, "Paris? You okay there?"
"Yeah," she said then shook herself, "I just…wow. Your dad really did that? What the what, Viola?"
"I know," I said. "And I'm glad to have you and the shelter since I can't talk to my mom."
"Why not?" Paris asked.
I rolled my shoulders, trying to relieve the stress there. "Well, I thought about it. My mom and I, we're soul sisters. She gets me on another level, unlike my dad. He did this truly thinking he would be helping. But if Mom were involved…I think it would hurt. Because we're so similar, and she would've known how against it I would be. You know?"
"Yeah, I can see that," she said. "So, Dare agreed to help you. That was cool of him."
"Yep—though I may have used a tiny bit of blackmail."
"Whoa," Paris said, sounding impressed. "You really are a Slytherin, huh?"
"You know it," I said, throwing Professor Snape a wink which he ignored. Moving my eyes to Hermione, I blew her a kiss, and she barked. "Though I'm just as much a
