I Dare You

By Morgan Thomas

Riley Walker had been born with a proverbial silver spoon in her mouth. Growing up in suburbia and attending an Ivy league school, Riley had always done exactly what she was supposed to do, including making an appearance on an impromptu blind date that would turn out far differently than she ever could have imagined.
Suzie Jacobs had never needed anyone in her life, had never wanted anyone to stay in her life. She had put herself through college and opened a successful business, all on her own. As beautiful as she was carefree, Suzie Jacobs didn't answer to anyone but herself. That is, until she met Riley. When the two woman meet unexpectedly, their lives are thrown upside down, and both are led to question everything they have ever believed in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morgan Thomas
• Release date: Feb 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9798201106812

Morgan Thomas

Morgan Thomas is the author of the story collection Manywhere, which was a finalist for the PEN/Bingham Prize, the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, the Lambda Literary Prize for Transgender Fiction, and the Publishing Triangle Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction. Their writing has appeared in The Paris Review, The Atlantic, the Kenyon Review, American Short Fiction, and The Yale Review. A graduate of the University of Oregon MFA program, they have also received fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and elsewhere.

Book preview

Dedication

To my beautiful sisters, who just... made it okay.

CHAPTER ONE

Riley wondered if life was ever going to get better. Everyone said your twenties were supposed to be the best years of your life, and at twenty-nine, Riley Walker begged to differ. She flipped through the latest adoption case on her desk, signing and initialling all the required places, cursing her boss silently in her head.   Riley worked as the Senior Adoption Social Worker at Twin Doves adoption agency in West Haven, Connecticut. She had begun her internship at Twin Doves while she attended the University of Connecticut. She had completed her internship and then worked as an adoption caseworker for three years. When she completed her M.S.W. In Social Work she had been offered an Adoption Social Worker position within the agency and two years ago was given the title of Senior Adoption Social Worker.

Riley often wondered, on days like today, why she had taken the position. I could've gone anywhere, worked anywhere...but do I? No, I jump at the chance to work for this imbecile!

Craig Burns was Riley's boss. He was the director of Twin Doves and he and Riley often butted heads. Craig was worried about quotas, finances, and reputation while Riley worried about the families and the clients. The particular clients that she was signing adoption paperwork for today were clients that Riley did not feel were ready to provide a stable and loving home to a child. They hadn't been given enough time. The agency hadn't been given enough time. Riley looked up when she heard a light tap on her door and Leslie's face appeared between the open crack.

Don't shoot, I brought coffee. Leslie waived a Starbucks napkin in the opening as a sign of surrender, grinned and stepped inside Riley's office. Shutting the door behind her, Leslie walked over and handed Riley the tall cup of steaming java. How's the paperwork coming? Leslie sat in the chair across from Riley's desk and crossed one long leg over the other.

Riley groaned in appreciation of the coffee and blew lightly on the top rim. I'm almost finished, she answered, rolling her eyes. Did Craig send you in here? I'm sure he's sitting in his office just adding up the dollar signs.

Yes, he did. I heard him on the phone this morning talking to the board about the hefty donation the Kramer's made to Twin Doves last week pending their, Leslie made air quotes approval of course. What an ass!

Leslie was a caseworker for Twin Doves. She had been working with Riley for the past three years and she was someone Riley had come to call a friend. Her perkiness combined with her bitter wit and sarcasm had helped Riley get through many difficult days. I just don't feel right about this Leslie. I really don't. I mean, I did the home visits, all the clearances came back, and they have beaming references, but there is just something about them. Riley gingerly took another sip of the steaming coffee and tapped her pen on the edge of the desk.

Of course you don't feel right about them Rye! I met them last month; they are like the freaking Stepford couple! I wouldn't be surprised if they were both robots! Leslie set her coffee cup on Riley's desk and started rubbing lip gloss on her lips. And what's the rush? Ok, so they are loaded, so is everyone else in Connecticut. Leslie made a sweeping motion with her arm.

Well apparently if you want to adopt a child at this agency, you don't have to wait the six months and complete all the steps like any other couple as long as you open your check book and make sure to cross the t's and dot the i's. Riley pulled open the drawer, took out the Twin Doves logo stamp and began angrily stamping the bottom corner of every page in the file sitting on the top of her desk.

Riley had been born and raised in Connecticut and hadn't moved far when she graduated from College. She had wanted to work as a Social Worker so she could help people, children mainly and make a difference in their lives. During her internship, she had fallen in love with adoption work and decided it was her field. However, she did not like the way the agency was being run as-of-late.

Craig is more worried about money and prestige than the kids or our clients! Riley stamped the last page violently. What happens six months from now when Mrs. Kramer decides she isn't ready for tantrums this toddler throws? What happens if she gets overwhelmed and decides she doesn't want to be a mother after all? That’s what the process is all about! These kids aren't puppies. You don't just get to write a check and take one home! Riley closed the file on her desk and paper clipped it closed before handing it off to Leslie.

I'm with you babe. Leslie agreed, taking the file from Riley's hands. There is something not right about them and really irks me that we are essentially being bought, but... what can you do? Craig makes the rules.

Money makes the rules, Riley countered.

Touché my dear. Leslie stood and walked to the door, turning before she left. We have the Jameson case to go over.  Lunch in the conference room?

Might as well. I'll have Chris get everything together. Greek Salads okay?

Sure. Lunch is on me today. I'll settle with Chris on the way out. Leslie looked at her watch. About an hour?

Sounds good.

Riley leaned back, closing her eyes and listened to the clicking of Leslie's heals down the hall. I should go talk to Craig about the Kramer's again, Riley thought, but knew it wouldn't do any good. Craig had made up his mind and Riley's opinion wasn't wanted. She spun her chair to crack open her office window. Connecticut was beautiful in the summer. It was never too warm and the air was crisp. She spun back around when her intercom buzzed and she heard Chris' voice.

Your mother on line one.

Riley said a quick thank you to her assistant and pushed the red button for line one. Hi mom.

Hello my love, how is your day.

Oh just lovely mom, how is your day?

Is that sarcasm I hear in your voice dear? Well I just called to make sure you remember your date tonight. Riley opened her mouth to protest, but her mother continued.

7:30pm Riley Jane. Wyatt Armstrong is a very nice man with a good family and a great career. He is a catch. He has his own practice. Did you know that? He started his practice from scratch. He is a brilliant Orthopaedic surgeon, and he is a very nice looking man.

I don't know about this mom, Riley began. A blind date? I don't even know this guy.

Do you have alternate plans?

Riley closed her eyes, listening to the tone in her mother's voice that she knew meant there was no way in hell she was going to win this argument. Annette Walker was a force that Riley had learned during her childhood not to reckon with. Her mother had called her last week to inform her that she had run into Karen Armstrong during their monthly garden club meeting. Karen Armstrong who had a son, a very single son, who was a very well-off Orthopaedic surgeon. So of course, being the only daughter left, of four daughters that wasn't married, Annette  Walker and Karen Armstrong got their heads together and set their children up on a date.

No, mom. I don't have alternate plans.

Are you seeing someone?

No, mom. I'm not seeing anyone.

Well alright then. 7:30pm it is. It wouldn't kill you to have a little fun dear.

I know mom, I will.

Riley Jane?

Yes mom?

I'm so proud of you, and I love you.

I love you too mom.  Riley hung up the phone. She smiled, picturing her mother sitting in the house she grew up in, drinking her afternoon tea and flipping through the latest issue of Bride magazine. She would not doubt be marking the pages of all the dresses that would surely look fabulous on Riley's shapely form. She had probably already called the New Haven florist to begin booking dates ahead of time. Yes, Annette Walker was a force not to be reckoned with.

Riley stood to thumb through the documents in her filing cabinet. When she couldn't find the one she was looking for, she left her office to see if Chris had what she needed. After finding out that everything she needed had already been taken to the conference room, Riley made her way there as well. Leslie was already inside and drizzling a creamy dressing over her salad.

Hey lady. Leslie slid a second salad and a bottle of water across the large table to where Riley sat. The Jameson's withdrew so we no longer have a case to review. I guess we have an hour of gossip time.

Oh no. What happened? Riley took the lid off her salad and then replaced it again, suddenly losing her appetite. I had such a good feeling about them. So what happens to the two girls?

Leslie finished chewing and swallowed before answering. They agreed to keep fostering them until we find alternate arrangements, but they are no longer interested in finalizing an adoption. Shelia Jameson found out she was pregnant yesterday. The miracle baby. Leslie raised her eyebrows and took a drink of her soda. They decided with the emotional issues the girls are dealing with, it wouldn't be the best environment to raise their child in.

Typical. Riley pushed back from the table and stood. She paced the length of the conference room and back again picturing the faces of two little blond haired girls. Dammit! She kicked a piece of paper that was lying on the floor. Those girls have been with the Jameson's for the past two years! They are both under ten years old! How do you raise kids for two years, then turn around, and give them up when you have the option to keep them? Just last month they were telling us how blessed they were to have been given the chance to raise those two little girls. Riley threw her hands in the air and sat down.

It is a crappy thing to do, but maybe the girls will be better off. If they are so willing to give them up, then maybe they weren't the right family for them after all. Leslie took another bite of her salad and then put the lid back on, shoving the container to the side. You have to stop taking every case so personally Rye or you are never going to be able to sleep at night.

This day just keeps getting better and better! Riley unscrewed the cap on her bottle of water and took a long drink. Tonight I have a date.

Leslie raised her eyebrows instantly intrigued. Riley Walker has a date? A real, live, human date? What has it been, Leslie held up her hand and counted her fingers, A little over a year since your last date?

Ugh. Riley scoffed. I went to lunch with that one guy.

Yeah, that one guy whose name you can't remember. Leslie laughed. Besides that doesn't count, it was lunch, it lasted less than half an hour and you never talked to the man again. So who is the lucky guy? Do I know him? How did you meet?

Actually... I haven't met him yet. It’s a blind date. Riley held up her hand when Leslie opened her mouth to speak again. And don't get too excited because my mother and one of the other garden party biddies set it up. Riley covered her face with her hands when Leslie started laughing. Don't laugh at me! It isn't like it’s something I'm looking forward to, but you don't know how my mother is!

Well, Leslie contemplated, at least you have a date, even if your mother had to set you up on it. Leslie laughed again. Lord knows someone needs to help you. No adult woman should go as long as you have without sex. It isn't healthy.

I agreed to go on a date with him Leslie. I didn't agree to have sex with him. I don't even know what he looks like.

Do you know anything about him? Leslie asked, mulling the options. Where does he work?

He is an Orthopaedic surgeon. He owns his own practice in New Haven. Riley watched Leslie rub her thumb against her two fingers as if she were rubbing money together. Money isn't everything Leslie. He could be hideous.

Come on babe, you need to look at the positive side of things and stop being so negative all the time. Promise me you will consider sleeping with him if he is even remotely appealing. Leslie pleaded to her friend. Maybe you would lighten up a bit, relieve a little stress. Your strings are wound pretty tight lately.

Riley rolled her eyes and attempted to appease her friend. Maybe I will consider it.

Alright! Leslie jumped up, rubbing her hands together. So what time is your date and where are you going? She walked around the table to pick at Riley's hair. What are you going to wear?

7:30pm and I'm going to meet him at some bar across town. Bite Your Tongue, BYT I think is the name of it. Riley swiped at Leslie's hands. And I hadn't really thought that much about what I was going to wear. Probably jeans or something casual. It is a bar, after all. Riley frowned. Leave it to me to be set up with an Orthopaedic surgeon whose idea of a first date is a downtown bar.

What about your hair? Hmm. Leslie picked at one of Riley's long auburn curls, deep in thought and ignoring her friend’s rambling. Ok, I will meet you at your house around 6pm. Leslie picked up the plastic salad container and finished the last of her soda before throwing both in garbage.

Riley looked offended and then a little scared. Oh no you don't! It is a blind date, set up by my mother. I think I am capable of getting ready all on my own. Riley stood and cleared her untouched salad from the table.

Babe, if you were capable of getting ready all-on-your-own, Leslie mocked, then you wouldn't have to be set up by your mother and her garden party biddy. I'll see you at 6pm sharp. Leslie patted her friend on the shoulder and feigned a look of sympathy before leaving the room.

CHAPTER TWO

Several hours, six outfits, three hairstyles and two different colors of eye-shadow later, Riley walked into BYT and settled in a booth. She was surprised by how nice the bar was. It was definitely not your average downtown bar. BYT was more of an upper-class restaurant/bar. Several booths and round tables, set high like the bar made up the large room. Pub tables, Riley thought. In the middle of the room there was a fireplace with a huge stone mantle that extended to the ceiling. In front of the fireplace sat a light brown leather sofa and two plush leather chairs. It was a very warm and inviting environment.  There were a few tasteful but typical neon bar signs just behind the bar. Artwork that appeared to be of different famous destinations scattered the wall. Riley recognized one of them as Stonehenge.

Can I get you a drink? Riley glanced up as the young woman handed her a menu. List is on the back. Friday is Margarita night, two for one special. I'll be your waitress tonight. If you need something and I'm not around, feel free to jump to the bar. She motioned towards the bar.

Oh, uh, thank you. Um... Riley picked up the menu and flipped it over trying to decide what to order. I'm sorry I don't drink often. What is in a Margarita?" Riley looked up.

Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice and a splash of Triple Sec. The blonde waitress answered. When Riley just stared at her, looking confused, she offered to bring her the first one on the house. If you don't like it, it’s on me. Riley smiled, politely thanking her, and handed the menu back to the waitress.

I don't think I will be ordering any food just yet. Riley thanked the woman when she came back with the margarita. She waited while Riley took a sip. Oh, this is good. Riley thanked her again before she left. She studied the ceiling. There were large wooden support beams exposed. The ceiling was painted. It seemed be a very large mural of green hills, valleys and a dark blue sky filled with stars. The wooden support beams had intricate carvings that Riley guessed was some sort of old Irish language, Gaelic maybe. She had studied some Irish history in college. Riley sipped her margarita for the next half hour and thanked the waitress again when she brought her a second one. She checked her watch, noticing it was nearly 8:30pm. She started thinking about work, which made her angry, and then tried to push the thoughts from her head. She dripped some of her margarita on the table and reached for a napkin, but found that she didn't have any at the table. She looked for the waitress but couldn't find her. The bar was filling up fairly quickly. When Riley first arrived there was only a handful of people, now, she guessed, there was closer to thirty. She got up and made her way to the bar.

Excuse me, Miss. Riley motioned to the woman behind the bar. Can I get a napkin please? Riley waited as the woman took care of two men at the end of the bar and then turned to face Riley. Wow, was Riley's first though. The woman was stunning. She had dark hair, pulled up in a messy ponytail; the kind that looked like it took an hour to make it look as if it took a minute, full lips and an amazing smile. Riley mentally chastised herself for staring, but she couldn’t peel her gaze from the woman’s emerald eyes.

What can I get for you hun?

Uh... Oh, Me? I was just wondering if I could get a napkin, I spilled some of my drink on that table over... Riley turned to point towards the booth she had been sitting at but noticed it was now occupied by a young group of boys. Never mind, I'm sorry.

Not a problem. There was that smile again. Can I get you another drink? The bartender motioned towards Riley's nearly empty glass. Margarita?"

Um, sure thank you. Riley sat on the stool in front of the bar. She noticed the edge of the bar had the same intricate carvings as the ceiling beams and ran her fingers lightly across them."A chuisle Mo Chroi.

My pulse, my heart, the bartender translated taking Riley's glass and handing her another. It’s Gaelic.

I thought it must be. I studied some Irish history in college.

Suzie. The bartender reached her hand across the bar.

Riley shook her hand. Riley, Nice to meet you. Have you worked here long? Riley, who had attended strict etiquette classes as a child and grew up with Connecticut socialites, suddenly felt like she was fumbling to finish a sentence. She stared at Suzie, still amazed at how exotically beautiful the woman was.

Well, since I opened it, so yeah I guess I've worked here awhile. Suzie grinned.

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know. It’s beautiful. Riley looked around the bar for emphasis and then back at Suzie. I adore the woodwork, the carvings are immaculate and the ceiling, Riley took a deep breath, it’s amazing!

Thank you. I love Irish history. Go big or go home right? Suzie looked over her shoulder as the waitress that had served Riley earlier yelled for a slew of drinks. Duty calls gorgeous. Suzie grinned, her eyes piercing Riley's before she turned and started pulling bottles of the mirrored shelf.

Riley flushed at the endearment and looked at her watch again. It was nearly 9:00pm. Well I have been officially stood up. Riley thought and was taking another sip of her third margarita when a blonde haired man in his early thirties asked her if the stool beside her was taken. When Riley shook her head no, he climbed on the stool beside her and flagged the bartender down.

Whatever you've got on tap Suze. The man turned to face Riley, looking her up and down. Well it must be my lucky night. First I find a twenty on the sidewalk outside and then I get to sit next to the most beautiful woman in Connecticut. The man handed Suzie a ten when she brought him his glass, told her Riley's drink was on him and instructed her to keep the change.

Suzie watched the two of them from behind the bar. Cass, the blonde waitress that had served Riley came up and slinked an arm around Suzie's waste. What is so fascinating? Cass questioned, looking in the direction of Suzie's icy stare.

Jason is over there hitting on that poor woman. He is seriously disgusting. I wonder if his wife knows he comes here and picks up women one night and then brings her and the kids to dinner here the next. Suzie turned to put some money in the cash register. She's probably grateful. If he picks someone up at the bar, he won't come home and put his slimy hands all over her.

R-aar. Cass sneered. What's crawled up your ass tonight?

Nothing Cass, men like him just make me sick.

Cass laughed loudly and slapped her hand on her leg. All men make you sick sweetie, isn't that why you sleep with women?

Suzie turned her glare to Cass.

Oh will you chill out, I’m just messing with you. Cass glanced at Jason and the women he was currently hitting on. Jason's here every other night and you don't glare at him. Realizing the woman Suzie was boiling over was the same one she had served the margarita to earlier, Cass grinned. Ah I see. Cass shook her head knowingly. You're pissed off because he is hitting on the hot chick.

Riley's face flushed. It had been a long time since a man had randomly given her a compliment and Jason, as he had introduced himself, had given her so many in the last ten minutes her head was beginning to spin. She knew he was just trying to pick her up, but willed herself to enjoy the empty compliments just the same. He seemed a little too nice and she was beginning to feel the margaritas.

Ready for another? Suzie appeared. I've barely taken two swallows Suze.  Jason stated, confused and then grinned seductively. Now you aren't trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me are you?

Suzie smiled sweetly. Oh, Jason I wouldn't dream of doing that. Your wife, Cathy... is that her name? Suzie looked at Riley questioningly and then back to Jason again. She's a nice lady, where is she tonight? Suzie watched the mixed look of enraged embarrassment run across Jason's face before he threw a ten on the bar and stood. He put his hands up in surrender and mirrored Suzie’s sweet smile. Hey doll, if you wanted her for yourself, all you had to do was ask. Jason turned to Riley, some other time huh? He flashed a toothy smile at Suzie before turning and strolling out of the bar.

Oh my god, I didn't know. Riley stammered to Suzie, embarrassment spreading crimson across her face. I would never... I mean I wouldn't have...

"Relax. I was helping