"Not if he fell for her, too," Mom said gently. "Becks. You should've seen the way he was looking at her."
Dad's eyes flashed to hers. "How was he looking at her?"
"The way you look at me," she said.
Had Dare really been looking at me in a special way? My brow pinched as I tried to remember his exact expression. I saw my father's jaw clench, and Mom reached out to run a hand along his cheek. Her touch obviously soothed him, but still he frowned.
"God, what have I done?" Dad muttered.
"You?" Mom laughed. "Sorry to break it to you. But this was just two kids having one hot make-out session."
"Ugh, can you please not say things like that?"
"I only meant it has nothing to do with you."
His wince was unmistakable. "You might be surprised."
I went to walk back toward my room, but the floorboard squeaked, alerting them to my presence.
"Viola," Mom called, "is that you?"
Walking lightly in place and then louder, feeling like an idiot as I pretended to walk down the hall, I turned the corner a minute later. "Yeah hey, Mom. How's it going?"
"Going okay," she said. "Are you sad you missed the party last night?"
They'd still been awake when I got home, but I'd said something about a headache and went to bed. It was actually the truth. After that amazing kiss and all the thoughts running rampant through my mind, I'd felt worn out.
"Not really," I said. "I probably would've done or said something stupid if I'd gone anyway."
"But Dare stayed," Dad said. It wasn't a question.
"Yep," I said and looked over at the clock behind his head. "I should get going."
"Where are you off to?" he asked, trying (and failing) to sound indifferent.
"To the shelter," I said slowly. "Like I do almost every Sunday."
"You're not going to see Dare Frost?"
I shook my head. "No, like I've told you guys before, the shelter's in desperate need of more volunteers, and I love the animals there—especially my girl, Hermione. Guess I'll see you later."
"But—"
Mom spoke over him. "Okay, baby, we'll see you in a bit."
"Love you, Mom. Love you, Dad," I said and gave each of them a kiss on the head. It looked like they might need it. Especially my father, who kept staring at me with concerned eyes when he thought I wouldn't notice. "You know, we should think about getting a dog."
Dad sat up straighter. "Viola, your mom and I would love to. If your mom didn't have severe allergies, we'd take one in a heartbeat."
"I know," I said, "But cats and dogs are different. They carry different kinds of dander. Also, I really think it would brighten up your lives when I leave for college next year."
"Leave?" Dad's face fell. "We still have a long time before that happens. Where is this coming from?"
I shrugged. "I just know how much Hermione means to me. And how all of the animals bring so much joy. I don't want you suffering through empty nest syndrome when I'm gone."
"We'll think about it," Mom said, and Dad gave her a look.
"But your allergies," he said again.
Mom patted his hand. "Go on, Viola. We can talk when you get back. Love you."
"Love you," Dad said to me.
"You two are my favorite muggles ever," I said back which earned a smile from Mom and caused Dad's frown to soften. I went to the shelter where I tried to clear my mind. But a set of brilliant blue eyes kept intruding, making that impossible.
Mom hadn't been joking.
When I got home a few hours later, she was waiting for me in the living room. She patted the space beside her, and I sat. Then, without my permission, my eyes traveled right to the spot where Dare had kissed me. I would never look at that wall the same way again.
"That good, huh?" Mom said, and I startled.
"Sorry," I said and ran a hand over my face. "I didn't mean to zone out like that."
Her smile was small, but it was there. "Please, don't apologize. That kiss made me blush. Was it as good as it looked?"
"Yeah." I sighed in response.
"A good kiss can be very distracting." Mom cocked her head. "Was that the first time or…?"
"Mom." I shot her a look.
She held her hands up in surrender and laughed. "Alright, I'll back off. I just want you to know that you can talk to me."
My voice was soft when I said, "I do know that."
"About anything," she added. "Boys, the shelter, tampons, how to write a killer college essay, which Harry Potter book is the best."
"Seven," we both said at the same time, which resulted in shared laughter, hers and mine.
Mom smiled at me. "You might need to ask your Aunt Lillian for makeup tips. But I can help with some things. And I love hearing about your life. I love how open our relationship is, Vi."
"Me, too, Mom."
"Dare seems like a nice boy from what I hear—and believe me, I've heard plenty from you father. He never stops talking about that kid."
I nodded. "It's all true, Mom. Dare is crazy talented."
"I just hope you know what you're doing," she said.
I sighed again, but this one was out of exhaustion.
"I have no idea," I admitted. "It started out so simple. Just taking Dare to school, but now… Gah, Mom, I don't know. It wasn't supposed to be like this, to feel this way."
"Feel what way?" she asked.
I licked my lips. "Dare says we're just having fun. That it's not serious."
"Just like a man." Mom shook her head. "And you? What do you think?"
"Well, I know he's right.
