Page 29 of Next Time We'll Fall

“Oh shit, who’s that?”

Jack is looking over at the corner, and I see his eyes widen as he takes in Juniper and her appearance.

“She is fine. Might have to give her my number tonight. See if she’s interested in a little dicking around with Jack the Man.”

I turn to him and glare. “Excuse me? What the fuck did you just say?”

“Whoa. What is going on? That’s not Mia, is it?” His eyes narrow. “I thought she had blonde hair, and didn’t you say she was engaged to Luke?”

“That’s not Mia, but it is her best friend, Juniper.”

“Fuck, that’s Juniper? She’s looking hot.” He licks his lips. “Hey, Juniper! What’s up, girl?” he shouts loudly across the room.

She looks up and stares at him in confusion, probably not even realizing who he is. Then her eyes turn to me, and her entire body stills.

I watch as she tucks her phone into her bag and comes stomping toward me, her finger pointed at me in accusation.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m assuming the same thing as you.”

“You’re speed dating?”

“I guess you’re smarter than you look.”

“Excuse me? That’s rude.”

“Is that the only word you seem to know? There are other adjectives to describe me, Juniper.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Likehandsome,charming,extremely good-looking,gorgeous.”

She rolls her eyes and I can’t help but laugh at her expression. Being around Juniper always makes me happy.

“Modest.”

“Yeah, right.” She rolls her eyes and then crosses her arms in front of her. “I’m going to ask you this again: What are you doing here?” Her head bobs up and down as she speaks, and I try not to laugh.

“I am at a dating event, just like you,” I repeat in the same intonation she had.

She just shakes her head. “You’re not even into speed dating.”

“Well, I’m interested in pretty women, and I’m interested in going on dates, and, well, this is a great place to make both of these things happen.”

“You are asinine.”

“Ooh, someone had to look that up in a dictionary.” I tap the side of my head. “Brainiac.”

“Did it look like I looked in the dictionary just now? Really, Rafe? Are you here because of last night?”

“What happened last night?” I say innocently, my face blank.

“You know what happened last night. I’m pretty confident there won’t be any wet T-shirt competitions tonight, so you don’t have to worry. You don’t need to try and save me. I’m not even going to drink tonight.”

I look down at the glass of wine in her hand, and she blushes.

“I mean, aside from this one glass. I need liquid courage for all the dates I’m about to go on.”