CH.80

We gathered in the backyard to enjoy the remaining bits of the dusk light.

We settled into a loose circle on the grass, joking and laughing as we tried to decide on a game to play.

"Ooh, let's do truth or dare!" Talia's eyes lit up with a mischievous gleam I knew all too well. "That's always a good time."

There were a few murmurs of agreement, and soon, we had an empty beer bottle spinning in the middle of our circle to determine who would go first.

It settled on pointing at Talia and me.

"Okay Lavi, truth or dare?" she asked with a sly grin.

I considered for a moment before replying. "You know what? Dare. Hit me with your best shot, Tal."

Her grin widened into a full-blown smirk. "Alright, you asked for it. I dare you to...kiss Karl. But like, a real kiss, not just a peck!"

A few gasps and giggles rippled through the circle.

My face heated up. I shot a panicked glance over at Karl, who simply watched me with an infuriatingly calm expression, and one of his eyebrows