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“Did you think about me?”

He made a rasping noise in his throat. “What do you think?”

“I think I need you to answer the question.”

His gaze pinned hers. “Yes, Anna, I thought about you last night. And the night before. And the one before that.” His left brow arched. “Do you need me to go on?”

She shook her head, incapable of speech.

“My turn.” He gave her a heavy-lidded look. “Truth or dare?”

His expression goaded her to say truth, but she took the cowards way out. “Dare.”

He gave her a knowing smile before turning to look around the room, his gaze skimming across the groups chatting and over to where Pearl was pouring more pink mimosa into glasses. “I dare you to tell Pearl you don’t like her mimosa and would prefer a beer.”

She pouted. “That’s not playing the game. That’s getting me to do your dirty work for you.” She took another deliberate sip of her drink. “I happen to like it.”

At that moment Pearl caught her eye and, jug in hand, walked over to them. “My favorite couple.”

“We’re not—”

“A couple.” Pearl cut her off with a secretive smile. “Yet.” Luke let out a choking noise and Anna wanted the ground to swallow her. Seemingly oblivious to her neighbors’ meltdown, Pearl held up the jug. “Now, who would like another drink?”

“Luke said he was enjoying it,” Anna blurted.

Luke narrowed his eyes, his look saying clearly that’s how we’re playing it, is it? ‘I believe my exact words were, the mimosa is fine, but I’d rather have a beer.”

“Of course you would, honey, but it’s Christmas.” Pearl patted his hand. “Time to relax and enjoy something you wouldn’t perhaps have considered before. Something pretty and fun.” Pearl looked meaningfully at Anna.

Oh God, she hoped Luke couldn’t read Pearl as well as she could.

Pearl took the glass from Luke’s hand and filled it to the brim. “Where does Colin have you both going today?”

Luke’s strong masculine fingers wrapped around the slender glass of pink froth. His expression said he’d give anything to throw the lot in the sink. “Actually, we need to leave—”

“Nowhere.” Anna bit her lip as Luke looked daggers at her. “We’re playing Truth or Dare.”

“Really? Interesting.” Pearl smiled and filled up Anna’s glass to the same eye watering level as Luke’s. “I can think of a few dares for you both, if you’re interested.”

“We’re not.” Luke swallowed. “I mean, thank you but I’m sure we can manage.” He looked down at his glass again. “Eventually.”

“Well, have fun.”

“Nowhere?” Luke hissed when they were out of earshot. “We could have escaped.”

“It’s not my fault I can’t lie.”

“A white lie isn’t a lie.” He frowned at her. “Do you want to stay here?”

“Not especially, but Pearl was kind enough to invite us, and now we have to drink these first.”

“We don’t, you know. We can pour them away and go.”

She gave him a horrified look. “That would be rude.”

“I’m not suggesting we do it in front of her.” He let out a frustrated sounding breath. “You don’t always have to do what other people want you to do.”

“I know.” It felt like he was criticizing her. “But it’s nice to please people, make them happy.”