Truth or Dare: A Sweet Romantic Comedy Collection by Laura Burton (i read a book TXT) 📕

started to bloom, it was devoured by slugs overnight, leaving nothing but a chewed-up stalk in the morning.

Now my heart feels like that stalk.

But I shake my head, in a vain hope that the motion will shatter my thoughts. The last person I want on my mind right now is my ex.

I narrow my eyes at the small TV screen on the headrest in front of me and pretend to watch the movie. But my efforts are fruitless with Michelle fidgeting in her seat every three seconds.

I finally look at her again. She’s curled up with her cheek pressed against the window and her face scrunched up. Her back is twisted, and she's pulled her knees up to her chest. She looks seriously uncomfortable.

Michelle is a zany girl. She can’t hold down a strong drink, always takes note of where the restrooms are, and thinks that talking about Aristotle makes a fun pastime. That’s probably why her best friend is Debbie, the philosophy graduate.

But as much as I think this dare agenda is suspicious, I can’t say no to a trip to Hawaii.

Does a tiny part of me suspect this is the beginning of a horror movie, and we’ll be tasked with solving a murder... or somehow become part of one? Maybe.

Have I watched too many zombie apocalyptic shows? Probably.

Michelle shivers under the blast of A.C. and I unfold her blanket to drape it over her. Seconds pass by and she begins to snore softly. A puff of air lifts the hair covering her face and it settles again as she inhales.

How she can sleep on a plane is beyond my comprehension.

The air pressure is giving me a headache. A couple of kids in the row behind me keep kicking my seat. And there are so many of us crammed into such a tight space, it's like we're sardines in a tin can.

But on the plus side, I’ve got just shy of eleven hours to kill and a whole list of movies to binge on.

Halfway through the flight, Michelle starts moaning in her sleep. She’s now got her neck stuck out in a weird angle and looks so uncomfortable; I can’t leave her that way. I lift the armrest between us and place a pillow on my lap. Then I carefully guide Michelle’s upper body, cradling the back of her head to rest over my legs. She snuggles into the pillow and stretches out like a cat with a noise that sounds like a meow. With Michelle's body splayed across me and no armrest, I’ve got nowhere to put my left hand. So I tentatively rest it on her shoulder.

Michelle moans in her sleep and a smile crosses her face as she wriggles against my legs. I can’t help but smile too. Happy that she’s now comfortable, I return my attention to the movie and absent-mindedly stroke her hair for the rest of the ride.

This is what I wanted with Tessa. To snuggle up close, stroking her hair, feeling the stress fade away from my body. But things with Tessa were never simple and easy. Being in a relationship is hard. It makes life complicated.

That's why this dare is easy. There's no way I can fall for Michelle. I’m not sure I’m even capable of feeling love for anyone again.

Michelle

The cab rolls up next to the resort and I bite against a grin, looking at all the palm trees swaying in the breeze.

Hello, vacation.

I’ve never been to Hawaii before. But I expect lush sand, coconuts, flowers, and lots of happy people milling around. I mean, can you imagine grumpy people walking around Hawaii? It’s Hawaii for crying out loud! If you can’t find happiness on a tropical island, then there’s something seriously wrong with the world.

The cab door opens, and I step out behind Jonah. The first thing to take me by surprise is the heat. A sizzling aura surrounds Jonah’s body like he’s an optical illusion. And the blazing sunshine is so powerful, I feel like I’ve stepped into a furnace. I won’t be surprised if the hairs on my arms are singed by the time we reach our room.

But once inside the hotel, I’m bathed in crisp cool air, and I thank my lucky stars this place is an American state. This is why we didn’t go to Peru. We’ve got the tropical island but with all of the American essentials, like air conditioners and hamburgers.

The real reason we’re not in Peru is that I don’t have any friends there. I only got tickets to this resort because my college friend, Malcolm, landed a job as a relationship counselor at the couples’ retreat.

I talk to the man at the reception desk and name drop. Malcolm came through––he secured us a nice suite with an ocean view. A tall Hawaiian man takes us along the pristine halls and as we walk, I lose myself in sweet daydreams. I can already see Jonah and I laughing at the side of the pool, going on moonlit walks along the beach, singing karaoke... Maybe dreams do come true?

The beautiful Hawaiian man flashes me a smile and places a lei of white and yellow flowers over my head. “Thank you,” I say, blushing. He turns and offers one to Jonah who stands stiff as a board as a pink and white one goes over his head.

“You are here for the couples’ retreat, yes?” he asks. We both nod. The Hawaiian grins. “Here are your itineraries. Malcolm is looking forward to seeing you, Mr. White, and Ms. Reynolds. Enjoy your stay.”

The door closes and we’re left alone for the first time in our room. Or should I say palace? The patio doors open out to a balcony, a hot tub sits in the center of the room and there's a massive four-poster bed calling to me. Jonah seems to follow my line of thought, and we both approach.

“Looks like we’re sharing the bed. Do you wanna be the big spoon or little spoon?” Jonah winks at me