"Let me out of it!" said Wes.

"No," said Matt from where he sat on the lazy boy with a comic book.

"You have to let me off man," said Wes. "Pete and Nathan are out already. And Ash didn't even try! Just you and me left in the bet now. I've proven myself worthy."

"You have to win to go out with my sister Maddie. Those are my terms," said Matt, turning a page in his book.

"Fine," said Wes. "But you and I both know that's bogus. It's because of this stupid bet that she's out on a date with Ash right now instead of me."

"We need the vow," said Matt. "I... I just don't want you to make the same mistake as I did with Julia. I should have been slower. Given her time to adjust to the idea. I don't want you and Maddie to become like me and Julia."

Wes supposed Matt had his best interest at heart... even if he wasn't right. He took a few breaths, processing the information.

"It would have been ok. I wish you hadn't intervened. But I guess given the situation now... I'll win the vow. Nothing is going to get in the way of me and Maddie."

"I... I ah," said Asher, leaning forward. "I need you to kiss me."

Maddie leaned back in her chair are the restaurant. She was admittedly confused. "I thought we just agreed to be friends."

"Yeah, I know that's .. mostly why I need... yeah," said Asher. He scratches the back of his neck looking uncomfortable.

"Alright," said Maddie. She didn't know what this was all about, but Ash was uncomfortable. He wouldn't ask if he didn't need it. "On the cheek is ok, I'm assuming. Lean forward a bit yeah?"

"Whoa! Not here!" said Ash. His cheeks burn crimson. He didn't think she'd agree. "I ah.. need to kiss me when Matt, Wes, or Nathan is watching. They won't let me out of the bet then."

"A bet huh?." said Maddie feeling uneasy about going through with it. "I can't kiss you in front of Wes. I can't hurt his feelings like that."

"In front of one of the other two then. Please, Maddie!"

"I- Can't one of the other girls kiss you?" said Maddie.

"Well, no. Not really. The thing is I don't have much time left to fulfill the terms of the bet. And I can't have any of the others kiss me because I've been going out with you see. It wouldn't be believable."

"I'm not sure," said Maddie. She'd be happy to help a friend, but she had an uneasy feeling about it. It didn't seem right with how things were with Wes right now.

"Just on the cheek is fine. They didn't say it had to be on the mouth. And also.. also, I can make it worth your while. Name your price."

"Ok," Maddie relented. "I need help getting my diary back. You're closer to the guys. If nothing else it would hurt to have an inside spy."

"Wonderful!" said Asher. He was silently hoping Nathan still had the diary. It might not be a hard task to get it back to her at all.

" Great. Just on the cheek though. And Wes can't be there," said Maddie.

"You've got a deal!" 

Copyrighted material. All rights reserved.