Page 30 of The Matchmaker Club

I pushed the glass further. “Itripledog dare you.”

He returned with that kind-of smile. “Triple dog dare? Is that supposed to mean something?”

“Anyone who has read a Stephen King book would understand the grave importance of a triple dog dare.”

He opened his computer again. “Well, lucky for me, I have never read a Stephen King book.”

“What?!” My mouth hung open in shock. “NotoneStephen King book?”

“Not one.”

I huffed. “The next thing you’ll tell me is that you have never read a Harry Potter book.”

He shrugged. “No Potter either.”

“Seriously?” I pushed my cookies aside. “Name one fiction book you read as a kid, thatwasn’tassigned in school.”

He thought for a moment. “None.”

“That’s sad. So many great stories you’ve missed.”

“I’ve read plenty of great stories.”

“The ones people told you to read becausetheythink they’re great. And yes, some of them are, but there is nothing like finding a story on your own and getting lost in that world. Not because you were forced to, but because youwantedto.”

He looked up, curious. “What was your favorite book growing up?”

“The whole Harry Potter series is up there for me, but my favorite story was actually a novella by Stephen King.”

“What was it?”

“The Body, but it was made into a movie calledStand by Me.”

“Why is it your favorite?”

“Because it represents what childhood and growing up should mean.”

He looked down at my drink. “And did any of that require blowing bubbles in milk?”

“No, but I think Stephen King would get it.”

Lucas didn’t say anything more and went back to his work. After I finished up my cookies and milk, I washed the glass and the plate.

“Are you ready for a tour?” I asked.

“I thought we could postpone for another time.” He nodded to his computer. “I have some things I need to deal with.”

Fine with me.

“You can tell the world you never was my girl!” a voice sang from the backyard. “You can burn my clothes up when I’m gone!”

My heart did a free fall to my stomach.

Austin.

Lucas cocked his head, his eyes sinking into mine.

“You can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been. And laugh and joke about me on the phone!”