“His best friend can’t get bail at the moment,” I say glumly.

“Good, neither of you have anything else to worry about then. I vote you’re going to have to listen to your friend this time.”

“I’ll take the leap, but if this ends badly, I’m blaming you, Dakota.”

“Ends badly?”

“Meaning, if I humiliate myself and he’s as uninterested as we think—”

“If that happens, I’ll sign over Evermore to you. Lincoln might be kinda pissed—but I know there’s nothing to worry about. One thousand percent.” She stands. “Speaking of Evermore, I’d better go squeeze in some writing while she’s down for her nap, but I’ll be back for lunch.”

“Thanks.”

She grins. “What are friends for?”

I look down at my arm, still in the sling. “Hey, Dakota?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going to have to help me get decent. I have a hard time imagining myself as something any man wants to see right now.”

She laughs. “Oh, stop. To him, you’re Cleopatra and Marilyn Monroe rolled into one. But I’ll help you get ready...”

Later, after she’s done with her words for the day, we go shopping and buy a sundress that matches my sling.

A few more nerve-racking texts with Destiny, and my chariot awaits.

She’ll send Cole’s driver over and say he’s picking up one of her friends. Kind of important because he knows the code to their gate.

It’s easy enough to joke about our secret mission and Dess’ bright laughter helps.

At least this way, if I’m utterly humiliated by Cole Lancaster, I can pretend it was all just a bad joke.

Destiny opens the door with a squeal before I can knock.

She stares at me and lunges, curling herself around me like a scared kitten.

“Eliza, oh my God. Are you okay? I was so scared. I thought you—”

I hug her with my one good arm while she clings to my neck. “I’m fine, honey. It’s great to see you again. I would have called sooner, but I figured your dad didn’t want to see me anymore. I didn’t want to make this more awkward.”

She pulls away, tossing her head with a lopsided teenage grin.

“No way! He’s pretty much having Eliza-withdrawls—for realsies—but promise me something?” She waits until I nod. “If you guys ever break up for real, can we still be friends?” The kid bites her lip.

“I love you, sweetheart, no matter what happens with your dad. Don’t you ever worry.” I pat her cheek lightly, loving how her smile lights up her face.

“Awesome. Thank you.”

“Okay, now I need your help. Can you show me to the kitchen? And make sure the coast is clear. The best conversations always happen over a steaming cup of coffee.”

“Right! I’ll grab everything you need. Oh, but Dad doesn’t drink the kind of coffee you do... He’s surprisingly basic with his morning cup. All we have now are regular old Wired Cup beans.”

“Pedestrian tastes for the CEO of a whole coffee chain, huh?” Leave it to that lunk to make me smile. “I came prepared, Dess. Don’t worry about the beans.”

And I’m as good as my word.

Once I’m in a kitchen that’s only slightly less impressive than the lab, I brew up a very simple blend. Toasted vanilla beans and cacao with a mix of peaberries I’ve brought, plus the standard coffee on hand in the house. It’s my latest black-and-white experiment, customized to Cole’s liking.

A little while later, when he comes home and heads to his balcony, he finds the steaming cup of coffee waiting.

I hunker down behind a patio couch, taking deep breaths so I don’t hyperventilate. My heart feels like a hummingbird behind my ribs.

God, if this doesn’t work...

But I watch his handsome silhouette as he lifts the cup and takes a slow sip that ignites those sky-blue eyes. He stops and looks around.

“Eliza?”

I don’t answer.

Cole takes another pull from his cup and when he lowers it, he’s wearing a smile that melts my heart.

“Eliza, show yourself. I know damn well Dess didn’t make this.”

Heat throbs under my cheeks.

Okay, deep breath.

This is what I came here for, right?

I stand up quickly and walk out from behind the couch, keeping my eyes trained on the ground. I just can’t bring myself to look at him yet.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, slowly moving toward me.

I force myself to meet his gaze, trying not to choke on my next breath.

Cole’s eyes glow like diamonds with the magic power to send me to heaven or hell.

“Destiny let me in,” I say, shifting my weight shyly.

He smiles wider than before, his eyes twinkling.

“Good Dess.” His eyes roam my body, and he’s silent just long enough to make me well aware of it. “Shit. You’re still in a sling.”

He sighs, something protective and hurt in his expression.

“It’s on the mend. All thanks to you, Cole.”

“Bullshit.” His face falls. “You’re in that thing because of me. Because I had my head so far up my ass I couldn’t see the danger right in front of me. Goddamn, I’m so sorry. If I’d just come to my senses sooner—”

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One Bossy Dare - Page 147