I spit out my sip of beer and watch, embarrassed, as my spit flies across the table. Mortified, I cover my mouth with my hand at the same time Mia chokes back her laughter.
I shake my head but she cuts off me off, and I see it in her eyes.
I glare at her and it’s as if we’re having an argument without saying any words. None are needed. She’s totally daring me to do this. She doesn’t even have to speak the words because I can see them being silently spoken in the glare of her eyes. It’s been almost two years since I’ve seen that look – the last time being when she dared me to go skinny-dipping at my parent’s lake house. It was the middle of the day, on a lake filled with jet-ski’s and water skiers. This is the very first dare she’s issued me since the accident, and something about knowing that, coupled with my recent desire to start actually living again, lights a small spark within me.
“No way. I just wanted to come tonight and listen to music. I don’t think I can…”
My voice trails off. It’s been so long since I’ve had to flirt, I don’t even remember if I know how.
I know better than to argue as I watch her eyes sparkling with glee. Her gaze travels across everyone in the bar and I feel a rock beginning to form in the pit of my stomach. She’s actually going to make me do this.
“Mia…” I start to argue with her but she stops me with a raised hand and narrows her eyes.
“I. Dare. You.”
Damn it. I haven’t backed out on a dare or a bet since I was thirteen years old and it pains every fiber of my physical being to consider backing out tonight. I keep my eyes on my perky best friend as she flounces her long blonde hair, grinning like she’s just won a million bucks. And she has, because as much as it worries me that I’ll fail miserably, I can’t say no.
“Fine. What do I need to do?”
She scans the crowd while she starts talking, my anxiety climbing with every second. I can’t believe I’m doing this. All I wanted to do tonight was visit my favorite place in the world and enjoy a few drinks while listening to live music for the first time in fifteen months. It’s amazing how quickly I can get suckered in to insanity.
“Simple. I dare you to flirt with whoever I choose and I’ll even entice you a little bit….” She smiles and I raise my eyebrows, curiosity blossoming within me. “You get someone to buy you and drink, and I’ll buy you a pair of Manolo’s.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. And I’ll make it even easier on you.” She points the tip of her beer towards the back of the bar where two guys are standing. One is tall and blonde and he’s gesturing with wild arm motions to his friend. From the little I can see they’re both about our age if not a little bit older. Attractive doesn’t even begin to describe the blonde, but the other guy is shaded by the shadows of the bar and hidden by a baseball hat that’s pulled down low over his eyes.
I turn back to Mia and groan.
“They’re in the corner of the bar. That’s the classic leave me the hell alone spot and you know it.”
“Yeah, but there’s two of them, and only one has to buy the beer. I’m sure you can sweet talk your way into getting one of them to pay up. Now roll up your skirt a little bit to show off your amazing legs and go get your shoes.”
I snort and look down on my black skirt that already hits several inches above my knees and look at Mia. My legs are amazing? Toned, yes, and long. But Mia’s the one who has the body of a dancer without ever having to work for it. If anyone has amazing legs it’s her.
A part of me wants to run, the other part – the part I’m starting to remember – really wants a new pair of expensive and fabulous shoes. “Fine.”
My legs feel like they’ve been replaced with Jell-O as I walk nervously to the bar. My entire body buzzes with a mixture of fear, nerves, excitement, and a small dash of what-the-hell-am-I-thinking. As I reach the bar, the tall blonde guy gives me