I shook my head. "I don't want to get you in trouble."
"It's okay. Just tell him."
My eyes shifted from him to my father. "Dare was the one who pulled that prank with your Mustang. You know the one you loved so much?"
Dad shrugged like it was no big deal. "Yeah, I know. Dare told me about it himself sophomore year."
"You did?" I asked and looked to Dare in confusion. "But I thought—"
"That you had something over me, and that was why I agreed to be your fake boyfriend?" he said. At my nod, he shook his head. "Like I said, that didn't even play a role in my decision."
I was taken aback. "Then what made you do it?"
"You asked me, flower." Dare stepped closer and ran a hand over my cheek. "That was enough for me."
My dad cleared his throat.
"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he said. "I really am sorry, Viola. The fact that you went to such lengths to get me back is a little scary. But I know I deserved it."
I nodded. "You definitely did."
"I promise it won't happen again. I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
"It's okay, Dad," I said and smiled at him. "You're my favorite muggle, remember?"
"And you're my baby girl." He pulled me in for a hug then looked between the two of us, making sure to shoot Dare a warning look. "I'll give you two five minutes, but if you're not back in here, I'll come looking for you, Frost."
"Yes, sir," Dare said.
My father was suddenly all business.
"Alright then," he said and looked to Tyson. "Last I checked we have a game coming up this week. Time to work out a strategy for beating Broughton. You up for it, Ty?"
"You know it, sir," Tyson said back. He threw Dare and I grin. "You two kids have fun."
"But not too much fun," my dad said seriously then nodded a clear dismissal.
As Dare spirited me off into the hall where this all began, I had a hard time sifting through all of the revelations, believing what I thought I'd just heard.
"Dare," I said a little out of breath, "I have something to tell you. So please don't interrupt."
Dare nodded. "Okay but talk fast. I've got five minutes, and I'm not going to waste all that time talking."
My heart was beating triple-time. The implication of his words was clear, but I had to get this out.
"I know you told me at the beginning not to fall in love with you," I said.
Dare went to speak, but I silenced him with a look.
"You're so confident, some might even say cocky." His smile grew, but I kept going. "I love that, and the fact that you're also kind, smart and funny. It definitely doesn't hurt that your body's gorgeous, and your face could be on book covers."
He chuckled at that.
"You're an amazing soccer player, Dare. I've honestly never seen anyone better. But you're so much more than that. It doesn't make sense that we'd be together. I know our relationship was supposed to be fake and that you don't think love is real."
I moved my hand to his cheek, gazing deep into his eyes.
"But you're my person," I said. "I can feel it. As surely as I feel your skin against my palm or the breath in my lungs, I know that you are the one for me. And I love you so much, Dare Frost, that it's okay if you don't believe in love. I'll love you enough for both of us."
Dare's eyes were sparkling, and he lifted a brow.
"Are you finished?" he said. "Because I have some things to say, too."
"Go ahead," I said.
Dare's voice when he spoke was filled with intensity.
"This was never fake for me," he said. "I've wanted you for years, flower. I just never thought I was good enough to have you."
"But—"
"Shh," Dare said, "it's my turn now."
I nodded.
"I was jealous when I found out you'd confessed to Ty. So jealous, flower. He was my best friend, but I truly hated him when I thought you wanted him over me." Dare shook his head. "It scared me, my feelings for you. I didn't want to tell you because I thought there was no way you'd feel the same. I'm just not that lucky."
He wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer.
"I told myself to leave you alone. I'd done it all these years. What was one more? But then you came to me with that crazy scheme about getting revenge, and I couldn't resist."
Dare lowered a kiss to my temple.
"It allowed me to do things like that…and more."
I shivered but didn't say anything, afraid he'd stop talking.
"I got to know you better, flower, and everything I found out just made me want you more. Your sarcasm, your mind, your heart. Those animals you care for? I wished I was one of them because they had your full attention, and I felt like that's all I wanted."
I gasped as his hands flexed on my waist.
"That cello you love so much? I wanted to be it so bad if only for the chance to be so close to you."
I held my breath as he pressed his forehead to mine.
"I love you," he said simply. "Always have, flower. Always will."
It took me a second to find my voice.
"But I thought you didn't believe in love."
"I didn't," he said. "Until I met you."
Melting. I was melting with every word.
"Can I kiss you now? Before your father comes and drags me away?"
"Oh yes, please."
And then his lips were all I knew. Every press was better than the last, every caress I felt down to the tips of my toes. His mouth
