Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“You’re still here.”
I clear my throat. “You’re observant.”
“You’re not good at rejection.” She spins and, just like Cordelia did downstairs, blows a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. But unlike when Cordelia did it, it makes me want to touch her.
Before I can stop myself, I reach out and tuck the strand behind her ear. She doesn’t flinch away from my touch, but her eyes narrow.
“I didn’t say you could touch me.”
“You’re so…bitchy, Juniper.”
Her eyes widen and, if I’m not mistaken, fill with hurt.
“I am not.”
“Yeah, you are. I’m not saying that I don’t like it, but damn, cut a guy a break. I don’t mean any harm.”
I step away from her entirely and shake my head. She has made it plain as day that she wants nothing to do with me, and yet here I am, like a lovesick puppy, trying to make moves on her.
Trying to be nice to her.
It’s a lost fucking cause.
“I’ll go find Luna.”
I turn to walk away, but June grabs my arm. “Apollo.”
I stop and raise an eyebrow as I look back at her. “Yeah?”
“I don’t mean to be bitchy.”
“Right.” I nod, look down at her hand, and then back up at her. The guys are right, she’s beautiful. In every way.
She also wants literally less than nothing to do with me. Hell, she’s going out with someone else tonight.
It doesn’t get any clearer than that.
“Don’t worry, Juniper, I’ll leave you be. Luna’s that way?”
Her mouth opens, but then she sighs. “Yeah. That way.”
“Thanks.”
I walk down the hall and hear Luna laughing with Sarah. When I get to the doorway, I can’t help but grin. They’re making the bed, but they’re in stitches over something, laughing so hard that they’re crying.
Sarah slowly slides to the floor as if she has no more muscle strength, which has Luna laughing harder.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, my god, so funny,” Luna manages to get out and then wipes at her eyes before waving away my question. “But it would get lost in translation. You made it.”
“I did. What do you need me for?”
“So many things. I have some tables and chairs that need to be brought into the dining room, and if you could bring the rugs that are on the stairs up here, I would appreciate it.”
“Is there any more man power on the way?”
“Wolfe should be here soon, and if we’re still here working when Tanner closes the studio, he’ll come by. At this rate, we’ll be here all night.”
“Are the tables and chairs assembled?” I ask her.
“Yes. And they’re also heavy since I got really nice pieces that will last a long time, but we can help you.”
“I’ll go down and start with the chairs,” I reply. “Wolfe and I can move the tables later.”
“There are rugs already in the dining room and unrolled so they would relax. You should be good to go in there.”
“Perfect.” I offer her a mock salute and then head back for the stairs, not a little relieved when I see that June has already moved on to another task.
It’s time I get June out of my system and move on.
Chapter Three
June
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m not wearing this,” I hiss into the phone as I stare at the mirror in horror. “What were you thinking?”
“That top looks stunning on you,” Luna assures me.
“But I’m showing cleavage, and this bra is ridiculously uncomfortable. I’m too big to wear something that boosts me up like this. I look like I should be working at Hooters or something.”
“Good, that means you look hot, but if you’re uncomfortable, wear something else. That’s the most important thing, comfort.”
“No, I’m trying new things, for God’s sake. I’m thinking outside the box, and I freaking hate it.”
“I can assure you that, if you’re wearing what we decided on at the inn this afternoon, you look great. We wouldn’t tell you to wear something horrible. You don’t look slutty, and you aren’t really showing that much cleavage, just more than you’re used to.”
“Feels like a lot,” I mutter and turn to the side to get a look at my ass. “These jeans are really tight on my ass, too.”
“You have a great ass.”
The same words from Apollo echo in my mind. Seeing him today, having him so close to me, has really knocked me off my game. Now I’m second-guessing myself, and I feel guilty for going on a date when I have nothing to feel guilty about.
“June, do you want my advice?”
“That’s why I called you.”
“Wear the outfit. Feel confident in it. You’re sexy, and even if this first date doesn’t turn into a second date, you’re still sexy. You’ve got this.”
“Yeah.” My hair is down, and the curls are tamed. I’m wearing makeup for the first time in more than a year, and thanks to Sarah and June, it actually looks pretty good.