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’ve been seen out on dates or riding around together,” Wolfe says, his voice level and calm. “You used to despise each other, and now you’re together a lot, man. This is a small town, and people talk. If you and June aren’t setting the narrative straight, then everyone else will write the story for you.”
“Motherfucker.” I pace the length of the loft, frustration rolling through me. I promised June that we’d tell our friends together, but damn it, I’m so fucking sick of hiding that I don’t give a shit anymore. I’ll beg for forgiveness later. “Yeah, okay.”
I rub my hand down my face and turn back to the now-quiet room.
“We’re together—not just fucking.” I glare at Zeke, who’s crossed his arms over his chest. “Sure, there’s sex, but it’s more than that.”
“Keep talking,” Cullen advises.
“She’s so stubborn that, if I didn’t love her so much, I’d want to strangle her. She’s funny as hell, fun to be with, and so damn sweet when she wants to be. She might seem like a hard ass, and she can be, for sure, but she’s a softie. I sound like an idiot.”
“No, you don’t.” Wolfe shakes his head. “Keep going.”
“We’ve been together for a few months. She wanted to keep it quiet because, well, she has baggage, I guess. I think that, if it didn’t work out, she didn’t want to have to explain that to everyone.”
“Is it not going to work out?” Tanner inquires.
“If I have anything to say about it, it’ll stick for the rest of my life. This is Juniper Snow we’re talking about, and she doesn’t take orders from anyone, not even me. I don’t want anyone to think that what I have with June is insignificant or something I’m ashamed of because that couldn’t be further from the truth. I mean, just look at her. She’s gorgeous and successful and—”
I sigh, rest my hands on my hips, and look at my shoes as I try to pull my thoughts together.
“I love her,” I admit. “You can razz me all you want for that, but it’s true. So, yeah, fuck that embarrassment nonsense.”
Zeke grins and holds his hands up in surrender when I pin him with my glare. “Just checking, man.”
“You egged me on purposefully.”
“Hell yes, I did.”
“Way to go, Nosy Nancy,” Indigo says, fist-bumping Zeke.
“Do me a solid and keep this here for now.” I rub my hand over my mouth, thinking about how distant June’s been over the past few days. “Not because she’s a fucking secret, but because she didn’t want to advertise it yet.”
“We won’t, but don’t you dare tell Luna I knew before she did.”
“Sarah either,” Tanner adds.
“Deal. Okay, let’s talk about someone else’s love life. Indigo?”
“Not me.” The other man laughs and shakes his head. “I just broke it off with someone, so I’m as single as they come, and that’s perfectly fine with me.”
“Women are overrated,” Zeke says before backtracking. “Well, some are.”
“Let’s play pool,” Scott suggests, gesturing to the table. “And drink. Is this a bachelor party, or what?”
“Yeah, focus,” Tanner says with a laugh. “Let’s do this.”
“Where are you today?” I frown when June doesn’t immediately answer me. I’m not a controlling person, but it’s been a fucking week, and I miss her.
“I’m out and about,” she says.
“How are you feeling? Is your stomach better?”
“I—” She pauses, and I scowl at the screwdriver I’m holding. “I’m doing better.”
“Juniper.”
“I am. Really. I’m helping Luna at the inn today. There’s so much left to do now that a Christmas party has turned into a wedding, as well. Why? Where are you?”
“At your chapel, and when you weren’t here, it made me worry.”
Her voice softens. “Sorry. I don’t know when I’ll be over there again. Actually, you know what? That’s not true. The bodies in the basement get to be moved in two days.”
“Two days?”
“Yeah, the city called and told me the found time to move them to the cemetery. So, I’ll definitely be there for that. Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll see you.”
“June, why do I get the feeling that you’re avoiding me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m coming to the inn.”
“No!” I hear her footsteps as she paces. “I mean, you don’t have to do that.”
“My parents are there, and I’ve hardly seen them since they arrived yesterday. I’m coming over right now.”
I hang up before she can argue with me and stow my tools in the mudroom before heading to my truck.
I’m sick and tired of June avoiding me, but I wasn’t lying when I told her I haven’t seen my parents much since they got to town. We were supposed to all have dinner last night, but I ended up working late on a project across town, so I couldn’t make it.
It’s been a cold week in Huckleberry Bay. The town decorations are all up, and the garland and lights make everything feel festive as I drive toward the lighthouse.