Dare Me

by Jo Leigh

  * * *

  MOLLY WOKE UP groggy and miserable after taking an over-the-counter sleep aid shortly after hanging up with Cam. But at least she’d gotten four hours of sleep. It wasn’t enough. Unfortunately, the four hours hardly made a dent in her sleep deprivation. Her fault for not coming clean about the trading card.

  To get out of bed and go to breakfast with Donna, or to call with an excuse? That was the question. If it were simply a social engagement she wouldn’t have hesitated to cancel, but Donna was also her editor and they had business to discuss. Afterward, she had to finish writing a proposal for a new radio show, then late this afternoon, Molly had to attend a meeting at WNYU, which she simply couldn’t miss.

  She forced herself to get up. She made her coffee extra strong. Even her shower didn’t help much, and by the time she got to Penelope in Midtown East, Donna had already ordered her eggs Benedict, which was Molly’s favorite. At least when the meal was on the magazine’s dime.

  Between bites, Donna asked her why she looked like hell and Molly ended up telling her everything. It all just spilled out. Why she couldn’t be with Cam. That he was a perfect escort. But he was leaving. And there was no denying she wasn’t a family kind of person. So why was she even thinking about it? Worst of all, she hadn’t told Cam about returning his trading card.

  By the time Molly was done, Donna had finished her omelet and her plate had been cleared. Molly’s hollandaise sauce had hardened, and she was on her third coffee.

  “You done wallowing?” Donna asked.

  Molly sighed and nodded.

  “You’re an idiot.”

  “Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you.” Molly wouldn’t cry, even though she wanted to.

  “If that lower lip keeps quivering, I swear to God I’m going to walk right out of here. I know you haven’t slept, but you need to pay attention now.”

  The volume of those last few words had a sobering effect. So did finishing her Americano.

  “All work and no play makes Molly a dumb ass,” Donna said. “You’ve got a gorgeous man at your beck and call, according to your own caffeine-frenzied words, he’s ‘freaking unbelievable in bed,’ and he’s got a built-in expiration date. Where’s the downside?”

  Molly opened her mouth, but no words came out. She’d just finished telling her the downside. Hadn’t Donna been listening?

  “Yes, I know that he’s leaving. And because he’s leaving and you’re dead set on being the next international wine guru, you’re going to watch him go. But you have him for a few more months. Even though you think you have to work every single minute you’re awake, you actually don’t. In fact, it’s not healthy.”

  “I’ve gotten this far because I haven’t let up.”

  “I understand. But there’s a thing called ‘filling the well.’ The only new wines you’re tasting are at events where you’re working or that I’m giving you. That’s not okay. Take a week off. Go visit the vineyards in Vermont. If you can pull the money together, go to Washington and Oregon. Have Phillip fly you out to Bordeaux. God knows he’s rich enough.”

  “Donna. Be real. I’ve got classes. The show. I’m going to the Long Island Wine Camp, so that’s something.”

  Donna signaled the waitress and asked her to take Molly’s coffee cup away and bring her a large glass of water. “Have you invited him?”

  “It’s for three days.”

  Donna gave her a look that made Molly wince. “And?”

  “It would be asking too much.”

  “Wait. Explain that to me. It’s too many days? It’s too big a favor to ask? Or it feels too risky?”

  Molly felt the heat spread from her cheeks. “Yes. All of that.”

  “Sweetheart.” Donna’s voice softened as she leaned in and looked at her over the top of her glasses. “You’re allowed.”

  Okay, Molly really had had too much coffee because that didn’t make any sense at all. “Huh?”

  “You’re allowed to have fun. To take time off for you. To take risks with your heart. To find out who you are besides what Phillip and Simone told you to be.”

  “That’s not fair—”

  “Forget that last part. That’s none of my business. But I’m your friend, and I like to think I’m also a mentor.”

  “Of course you are. You’ve been wonderful. Without you I’d—”

  “You’d have done great. Because you’re good at whatever you put your mind to. I don’t want you to regret this. Broken hearts mend. Lost opportunities never heal. Cameron’s a good guy. Maybe you can give yourself permission to enjoy him while you can.”

  “Don’t you think he should have a chance to meet someone who could be the right woman?”

  “That’s his business and his problem. Frankly, I don’t care. I don’t love him.”

  Molly’s breath caught. Did that mean— Had Donna just said she loved her? She’d been a good friend and, yes, definitely a mentor, but— Molly looked down at her trembling hands. “You know how you can tell if a person’s grown up in foster care?”

  “How’s that?”

  She looked up and met Donna’s gaze. “They don’t know how to react when people are being wonderful.”

  Donna put her hand on Molly’s. “It’s a learned skill, and you’re as smart as they come. Let people in. Invite that man to the Hamptons. And for God’s sake, tell him what you did about the trading card. He’ll understand. I promise.”

  * * *

  THE CAFFEINE JITTERS had settled down, which just left her regular jitters. Calling Cam after their weird phone conversation wasn’t easy. He’d left her a message earlier, but she hadn’t returned the call yet.

  The meeting wasn’t for another forty minutes, but she was already at the radio station. She’d found an empty office and shut herself inside to make the call, but actually pressing the right numbers wasn’t as simple as Donna made it sound.

  The best Molly was able to do at the moment was stare at her Android and clench her fist. When her cell phone rang, she nearly jumped out of her seat.

  It was him.

  She didn’t have to answer.

  Even she couldn’t believe this new level of cowardice, and she’d gotten used to ducking out on a lot of things in her time.

  She pressed the tiny little telephone icon. “Hi.”

  “Hey,” he said. Make that shouted. There was so much background noise, it was as if he were standing in the middle of Grand Central station at rush hour. “Can you hear me?”

  “Yes. Where are you?”

  “Aboveground train. The air conditioner is rattling. I can barely hear myself think. I know you’ve probably got something going on this afternoon, but I need to talk to you.”

  “Um, when?”

  “Today. Now. Can you meet me at Coleman Playground? By Monroe and Pike?”

  Molly’s entire body seized up. This wasn’t a simple request. Though he didn’t sound mad, exactly, he must have found out about the trading card. Cam never made demands on her time.

  The meeting would just be getting started. She couldn’t possibly skip it. They were going to discuss her show, her time slot, her advertising budget. No one could sub for her now. This was a large part of her business plan, not something she could fool with. Today she was going to pitch the new show.

  In a move she’d probably regret forever, she said, “I’ll be there.”

  15

  IT WASN’T LIKE him to be this angry. Without even giving Molly a chance to explain. But he’d been caught off guard this morning by a call from a woman from the trading-card group, and the pressure had been building ever since.

  Lori had said how lucky she was to find his card, which had confused him. And her, after he’d asked if there were multiple cards for the same person. She’d explained that the
re was only one, but the cards could be returned if things hadn’t worked out.

  He’d turned the date down, of course. He had no desire to meet Lori or anyone else. The problem was he’d thought Molly had felt the same way.

  What the hell had happened?

  He thought back to last night’s stilted phone call. Obviously the mistake she’d been reluctant to talk about was him. That they shouldn’t have had sex. That they shouldn’t have even gone out together.

  That she was willing to interrupt her precious schedule to meet him without knowing why seemed to confirm his suspicion.

  He saw her, dressed in business clothes, walking across the grass toward him. Disappointment and hurt took over from anger. Behind him, his team was getting warmed up for their softball game. His sisters were here; so was his dad. Could be the best or worst time to have their talk—he had no idea. But he’d been asked to sub for one of their bartenders and talking to Molly in person couldn’t wait.

  “Hi,” she said with a tentative smile.

  He put his arm around her...only because his family would be watching. Not because it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Without hesitating she slid her arm around his waist, and he wondered if she still felt something, too. Or was she just playing her part?

  “Molly!” Emmy said, her voice so cheerful, Cam felt like smacking someone.

  “Hey,” Molly said, giving her an anemic wave.

  “Glad you made it. Cam’s been moping around like he lost his pet koala.” Emmy turned to her dad. “Remember that koala bear? He carried it everywhere. Couldn’t live without it. What did he call it?”

  “Woger,” Gordon said. “Had a little trouble with his Rs for a while.” He winked at Molly, who smiled and blushed.

  “I’m standing right here,” Cam said.

  “It’s nice,” Molly said, her voice subdued, her eyes avoiding contact. “I like hearing about what you were like when you were young.”

  Cam stared at her for a moment then turned to the team. “When are we starting this damn game? It’s hot as hell out here, and I have work to do back at the brewery.”

  “Wow,” Amber said, raising her eyebrows as she repositioned her cap. “Someone’s still grouchy.”

  Cameron bit back a curse and led Molly toward the bleachers. There was a shady area that wasn’t crowded. Mostly because hardly anyone was crazy enough to watch the game in this heat. Not as insane as they were for playing, but that was his sisters in a nutshell.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  Molly smiled. “Anything that isn’t alcoholic would be great. Thanks.”

  He looked at her for a long moment, wishing things hadn’t gotten all twisted up. Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her as though he meant it. As though he’d missed her. As though he wanted her.

  She kissed him back as if she wanted him, too. Not fair.

  He got her a soda from the cooler, and before he could launch a conversation, he heard his name being called. “Unbelievable,” he muttered. “Today they start on time.”

  “Go,” Molly said. “I’ll be here waiting.”

  There weren’t many breaks to be had, even though it was just a bar league. Not because of any formal rules, but because of his family. Talk about hypercompetitive. He figured he’d sneak away for a few minutes when his team went up to bat.

  His plan failed. It didn’t help that he was a lousy right fielder and an even lousier batter. He normally didn’t give a damn, but the chatter was getting on his last nerve. And there was Molly, sweating in the heat. He was still angry, but he hadn’t planned on torturing her.

  She kept offering him smiles. Quick looks that would skitter away when caught.

  Finally, it was the seventh inning, and after that they’d take a break. He was up at bat, and he swung away at two balls that were both high and inside. The third swing, something happened. A crack followed by a jolt that went straight up his arms. It took him a few seconds to realize he needed to run. Fast as he could. Past first, straight on to second, where Carlos waved like a madman from the third-base line, screaming at him to run, goddammit, run!

  That he was tagged out just before making it home was such an obvious metaphor for the way his life had been going, it wasn’t even funny.

  * * *

  AFTER THE LONGEST game in history was finally over, Cam headed her way. He looked wonderful in his old jeans and Four Sisters T-shirt. He’d switched out the batting helmet for his baseball cap, and Molly’s chest ached at the thought that she might never see him like this again.

  “You were much better out there than you’d led me to believe,” she said. “I thought for sure you’d make that home run.”

  Shrugging, he climbed up to the third row, where she was sitting, her new diet soda in hand. It was hot, she was tired and nervous, and watching him with his family had done a number on her head.

  For all their yelling and posing, the game hadn’t been about winning. She’d learned a couple of things from talking to the only other Four Sisters fan: that one of the guys from the brewery side was actually a much better fielder and batter than Cam, but Cam was the one they’d dragged to the park. That Gordon hadn’t played at all, but he’d cheered his kids and his team as if he were watching the World Series.

  They were a family. It wasn’t just the title; it was the way they saw the world. They missed their sister who lived in Indiana. Emmy had spent half her time holding up her cell phone so Ruby could hear all the action.

  After Cam’s disappointing out, Emmy had hugged him, sort of. Just one arm around his shoulders and a pat on the back. Amber had given him a noogie. All the while, Molly had been in tears. Not sobbing or anything that dramatic. Just a combination of exhaustion and regret. She’d messed things up so badly.

  With everything so confused, she found herself wishing for things that made no sense. That she was part of this stupid softball team, even though she couldn’t play and wasn’t associated with the bar. That she was the kind of woman who would want a family of her own.

  “You returned my card,” Cam said without preamble. He didn’t seem mad or irritable as he had earlier. Maybe the physical exercise had mellowed him. Or maybe he just didn’t care.

  He was sitting close but not touching her. She swallowed a lump of pure emotion and said, “I got scared.”

  “Scared. Of me?”

  “Of us.” She pushed her hair back from her face when all she wanted to do was use it to hide. “I was worried that I was losing my edge. I’d been thinking about you so much, I started making mistakes.”

  He looked at her, not smiling, just waiting.

  “At work. I made a bad call on a wine at a tasting that was important. I got confused about who I was talking to on the show. That interview I mentioned the other day? I blew it. Badly. And I freaked out. I put the card back in the pile. Two minutes later, I realized it was a mistake. Unfortunately, it was already gone.”

  “Uh, yeah. Someone named Lori called this morning.”

  She covered her face, embarrassment making her warm skin hotter. When she was ready, she sat up straighter and looked him right in the eye. “I’m sorry. I should have said something last night. I was a coward.”

  “Look, if it’s interfering with your work, we can stop. I mean it. I like you. A lot. I’d prefer to go on like we have been. But I won’t be collateral damage.”

  He was completely serious and had every right to be. It fit now, why he’d asked her to come here today when he was fully aware of her schedule. Their whole relationship up until now had revolved around her. He’d been so accommodating, bending to her life, her rules.

  But now the rules had changed. She’d changed them by her actions. His ultimatum made perfect sense, and while her knee-jerk reaction was to immediately insist she didn’t want to stop
, she forced herself to think it through.

  Donna’s advice aside, if Molly continued with Cam there were things to consider outside of fantastic sex and having a great escort. While she wouldn’t have to drop everything for him, she’d need to compromise. Not just that, she’d need to want to compromise, or else she’d end up resenting him. Them.

  “Okay,” he said, his expression flat and unfamiliar. “I’ll take that as a goodbye.”

  “No. No, I was just—” She could barely breathe. “Are you going out with Lori?”

  He seemed startled at first. “No,” he said, smiling his crooked grin. “Would that have made you jealous?”

  “Shut up,” she muttered and leaned against him.

  “Not a goodbye, then?” As she shook her head, she kissed him, hoping he would accept it as the apology it was.

  His smile, when they separated, let her breathe again. “Come to the Hamptons with me next week,” she whispered.

  “The Long Island Wine Camp?”

  “Yeah.” She teased his bottom lip between her teeth and didn’t let go until he moaned. “It would mean being gone for a few days.”

  He still hadn’t moved away. They were talking into each other’s mouths and she couldn’t get enough of it. Kisses peppered each sentence. Even though it was perfect, it made her want so much more.

  “I’m sure I can get the time off. I know the boss.”

  She smiled even though she’d have to work harder than ever to keep her career on track.

  * * *

  “BEST WINE CAMP I’ve ever been to.”

  Molly grinned as she looked up into Cameron’s gaze. “It’s the only wine camp you’ve been to.”

  “Doesn’t matter. The wine’s great. The food’s great. But the best part is making out with you on the beach.”

  He’d been telling her wonderful things since they’d arrived Monday afternoon. Although the camp went until Friday, her participation lasted only until Wednesday, which was a damn shame. “I can’t argue with that. I’d been a making-out-on-the-beach virgin before today, with no idea what I was missing.” She lifted her head so she could reach his lips, and he brought his mouth back down to hers.