"Do you think she understands what you're saying?" Dare asked.
I shook my head. "No, I know she does."
He nodded, leaned down and put his ear next to Snape.
Dare looked up a second later. "He says he wants a Drake song."
"That's very specific," I said. "Usually the Professor isn't so picky."
A shrug. "That's what he said."
I bit back a smile. "I'll see what I can do."
"So, were they mad? About the whole kissing thing?"
"You mean, the kiss where you had me pressed against the wall across from my parents bedroom?" I asked, watching in fascination as heat rose to his cheeks. "Oh no, they were thrilled."
"Viola, I—"
"Did somebody say something about a kiss?" Paris's smile was wide as she joined us. "Now, this I have to hear."
"Actually," I said, gesturing to all of the fur babies, "my adoring crowd wants a song. I can't keep them waiting."
"Okay, okay," Paris said, "but you'll tell me about it later."
I might, I thought. But I also might not. True, I loved telling Paris things and getting her input. But that kiss had felt special for some reason, something for just me and Dare.
Oh yes, and my mom who'd walked in on us.
Gah.
As I got ready to play and took a seat, Paris and Dare were standing across the room. The animals were waiting, too. But Dare's face was what got to me. There was this challenge in his eyes as if he doubted I'd be able to meet his request to play any of Drake's music. Well, I'd show him.
I quickly looked up what I needed on my phone then set it on the floor and pushed play.
Then I did my thing.
The instrumental backbeat was perfect. My cello taking the lead.
Take Care by Drake and Rhianna.
It was a piece I knew by heart, and I hoped it didn't reveal too much of my feelings. But I made that cello sing. I didn't look up until the end, wanting to make sure I played everything just right. Some parts I had to improv because they'd typically be on violin. But it was fun, and I think it turned out well. When I finished and looked up, the animals were excited, a few barks and meows followed. Paris looked proud as punch. And Dare…he was gaping at me.
"Where did that come from?" he asked.
I lifted a shoulder. "My cousins and I play together sometimes. Scarlett does most of the arrangements. Freya is lead violin, and my other cousin, Aurora, loves Drake so…yeah."
"That was incredible."
"Not really," I said.
But Dare nodded. "Yes, it was. Flower, you're so talented."
"He's right, you know," Paris said. "Viola, you and that cello have been making these animals and myself very happy for a long time now."
I waved that off, and she turned to Dare.
"I've been telling her this forever," she said. "The fact that she won't accept how awesome she is can be so frustrating."
"I know, P," he said. "Trust me, I know."
I help up a hand. "Still here, you guys."
"Work on that for me will you, D?" He gave her a nod, and she added, "Why don't you and Viola take a couple of these guys out for a walk? It's such a nice, sunny day."
I shot her a frown for the wink she added at the end.
Once Hermione and Professor Snape were all set up, we headed out. Typically, Paris didn't let us walk outside of the yard behind the shelter, but when Dare asked and gave her puppy dog eyes, she gave us permission to take them around the block.
"I can see why you like him," she'd whispered to me right before we left. "He's nice with just a hint of naughty. And who can say no to those eyes?"
As we walked the dogs, our two charges marching at our sides, I glanced at Dare out of the corner of my eye.
I'd thought I was being discreet, but a moment later Dare grinned.
"What's up, flower?" he said.
"Nothing," I said, averting my gaze quickly, but it was too late.
"Uh uh." Dare stopped and gently turned me to look at him. This caused both Hermione and Snape to stop as well. They walked around our feet a bit in the shade of the tree we'd paused under. "What's on your mind?"
You are, I thought. It's you all the time now, and I can't seem to stop thinking of you.
"It's nothing," I said.
Dare's face filled with concern. "Did something happen with your parents? Do you want me to go and explain things to them?"
I cocked my head. "Would you do that?"
"Of course," he said. "For you, of course."
Did he even realize how the things he said affected me?
"No, that's okay." I smiled. "Mom was basically cool—though I feel bad for scarring her with the image of us having such a passionate kiss."
"Passionate, huh?" Dare said.
I quickly moved on. "And my dad hasn't spoken to me about it yet."
"You think we got through to him this time?"
"Oh yeah," I said, remembering his face as he and Mom had been discussing what happened when they thought I wasn't there. "The message was definitely received."
Dare nodded. "Great. So, where do we go from here?"
The truth was I didn't know. The point of this whole thing was to show Dad we were a couple, that his plan had backfired, and we'd done that—with Mom's help, of course.
"Not sure," I said.
"I think we should keep going at least a little longer," Dare said. "Until we're sure Coach is convinced."
I nodded, lost in his eyes. "Sounds like a good idea."
Suddenly, Hermione barked and started sprinting across the street. I was so caught off guard that my normally docile dog
