Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Having fun?” I ask her as we sway to the mellow, smoky voice singing Clapton.
“Most fun I’ve had in a long while,” she says, her face flushed with pleasure. “The people here… everyone’s just so nice.”
“They all adore you,” I assure her. I mean… it’s Juniper. How could they not?
My hand moves from her hip to her lower back, pulling her a little closer. Our other hands are clasped.
She tips her head back to smile at me and I can tell what’s going on in those pretty eyes of hers. I know what she’s going to say as soon as her lips part.
A thank-you for the evening, for helping her dad, for getting her away from Joshua, and every other gratitude because she’s feeling so happy. I don’t want to waste this feeling.
“You know, letting you go was the dumbest mistake I’ve ever made, Juni. I look back on it now, and I don’t know how I could have been so stupid.”
Her lips quirk and she gives the tiniest eye roll because we’ve already hashed this out. “Enough with the worst mistake claim. Honestly, I think you’re so hinged on that because you know how bad things were for me. If I’d led a charmed life, you wouldn’t—”
I bend down and kiss her. It’s the first time in fifteen years and it’s just a gentle brush of my lips against hers to get her to stop speaking.
Her eyes are closed when I pull back. I wait for them to flutter open, note they’re awash with confusion and pleasure. “I’m not just saying that. I’ve not had a serious relationship since you. Only casual dates. Never told another woman I loved her because I’ve never even come close to feeling that for someone. I walked away from the love of my life and that’s a level of stupidity I’ll never match.”
Some of that is tongue in cheek and I say it to try to get a smile out of her. Instead, her gaze focuses in on me sharply. “Do you still love me?”
“Yes,” I reply, the singular truth ringing bold and without hesitation. I didn’t have to think about it.
I’ve never stopped loving Juniper.
Juniper blinks at me, her mouth sagging in shock. “You do?”
“Always have. And I don’t expect it back from you. I understand I killed what we had.”
She shakes her head again, eyes closed briefly as she processes. When her gaze locks onto mine, she says, “I don’t know how I feel, but I can tell you I do have feelings for you. I had to shove them away and then I let anger pile up on them. But all that’s gone now. I don’t know what’s left behind, but…”
Her words trail off and I don’t want her to fade back into her protective zone. I touch my forehead to hers. “But what, Juni?”
“But there’s always been a part of my heart that belonged only to you.”
Relief washes through me at the small kernel of tenderness she might still carry for me.
“That’s good, Juni,” I whisper before brushing my lips against her temple. “I can work with that.”
CHAPTER 20
Juniper
“Who wants more tea?” Brienne asks as she stands from her chair. She is the epitome of class and grace. She went with a retro fifties glam look in a floral, off-the-shoulder dress that hugs her torso and flares outward at the waist, paired with pale blue pumps, vivid red lipstick, and her hair in pin curls. She even wore white satin gloves to our little tea party.
Callum delivered the invitation last week between the Fourth of July boat ride and Sophie and Baden’s wedding. It was handwritten in delicate calligraphy and I couldn’t help but grin when I opened it as Callum stood over my shoulder.
We read it silently together.
You are cordially invited to High Tea
In honor of
The Titan Queens’ Newest Inductee
Queen Juniper Ryan
It provided the date and time—today—as well as the location, which is Brienne’s home.
I was so charmed to be invited to such an event, especially since I helped come up with the idea of a monthly tea. But two things immediately had me on the verge of declining.
“That’s awesome,” Callum had said as he plucked the invitation from my hand to read again.
“I can’t go,” I blurted.
His gaze cut to me as he frowned. “Why not?”
“I don’t have anything to wear.” At the bottom of the invitation, it said semi-formal attire required. “And… well, I’m not a Titan Queen.”
Callum set the invitation down on the counter, leaned an elbow beside it and said, “You’re going. You’ve got plenty of pretty dresses to choose from.” When I started to object, he held up a finger telling me to be quiet. “And as far as being a Titan Queen, you most certainly are.”
“I’m not,” I insisted. “Those are women who are romantically involved with Titans men. You and I are not romantically involved.”