Page 105 of One for the Road
“I want to propose to Juniper,” he said quickly, looking at me like he’d just thrown a grenade on the floor, and we were waiting for it to explode.
I blinked. “Aren’t you guys already married?”
“A handfasting in a hotel room isn’t legally binding andI . . .” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “It’s more than enough for me. But also – and I’m sorry if it’s weird for you – I want to bind myself to that woman in every way humanly possible, even if it means getting married in a graveyard or whatever the fuck she wants.”
“That’s exactly something Juniper would pick.” I laughed and his head snapped up, hopeful.
“Does that mean you’re cool with it?”
I didn’t even have to think about my answer as I closed the distance between us and clapped his shoulder. “Of course I am; you both deserve this,” I said, nothing but happy for my brother.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed.
His entire body seemed to sink in on itself.
“You were nervous to ask this,” I realised aloud.
He nodded. “I’d have done it anyway, but I wanted to tell you this time. Be upfront. And if you want to hit me—”
“I’m not going to hit you; I shouldn’t have even hit you then.”
He laughed, like an enormous weight had been lifted from him.
“When are you going to do it?” I asked. If it wasn’t in the next few weeks, I might not be here to celebrate with them. A year ago, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But now . . . a sour taste coated the back of my tongue.
“Soon. I’ve had the ring for months; I don’t think I can wait any longer.”
“Make it special,” I said, “She deserves that.” When I’d proposed to Juniper – years ago – it had been on a whim during a trip to Italy. Giddy from a week of sun, carbs and too much limoncello.
I hadn’t even had a ring. We’d picked one together a week later.
Callum grinned. “I knew Mr Romantic was in there somewhere. Isla’s a good influence on you.” My face must have betrayed something because he cocked his head. “What?”
“Nothing – I like her.” Even I heard thebutat the end of my sentence.
“It looked a little more thanliketo me.”
“Okay, Ireallyfucking like her. And Teddy – the kid is smart and hilarious,” I admitted in an incredulous rush, dropping my face into my hands. “That’s the problem. They’re both incredible . . . but they . . . they weren’t the plan—”
I cut off as the front door opened. Heels clicked off the hardwood. “I have fifteen minutes until my break ends, I want you naked in thirty seconds –oh. . . hey, Alistair.” Juniper paused in the doorway, wide brown eyes flicking between us as she hastily rebuttoned her shirt. “What’s going on?”
“Alistair’s having a panic attack because he might be in love with Isla.” Callum watched me, hands on his hips. “TBD. We didn’t get to that part yet.”
I shook my head violently. “I think I’d know if I was having a panic attack, and I’m not . . . there’s no way I’m—” I wasn’t in love with Isla. I couldn’t be.
Juniper scoffed and straightened, stretching her arms over her head like she was settling in. “Okay, okay. I can read the room. This is where I tag-team in.”
“For what exactly?” Callum asked.
“To speed up this pussy-footing male bonding you were about to force me to unwillingly witness.” She waved a finger between us, moving further into the room. “Why don’t we cut to the chase? You tell me what you did tofuck things up with Isla, and if I decide you deserve my help, I’ll tell you how to fix it. What—” She paused, noticing Callum’s shocked expression. “I’d make a great couples therapist.”
“Harpy, every time we watch dating shows you yell at the TV, ‘Bury him beneath the patio,’” Callum said.
“Because most men deserve to be buried beneath the patio.” Her gaze shifted to me, and a shiver rippled down my spine. “If you fucked with Isla, I’ll help her buryyou.”
I winced. Everyone was so certain I was going to hurt her. Shouldn’t that be sign enough that I should leave her alone? “It isn’t like that –fuck.” I dropped onto the sofa, tugging at my tie. I couldn’t breathe. “I need to start at the beginning.”
