Page 34 of Next Time We'll Fall

“Well, I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to say that.”

“Anyway, my point is, I know when a guy is into a girl, and I know when a guy is being stupid about a girl. And I kind of see both these things happening here.”

“You kind of see both of what things happening here?”

“I kind of see that you’re into Juniper, and I kind of see that you’re playing stupid games with Juniper. And she’s my cousin, and I love her, and I don’t want to see her get hurt. So, either go for it or leave her alone.”

“Honestly, I do not know what to say to you right now.”

“I think you just need to admit the truth. Or are you scared?”

“Scared of what?”

“Scared you won’t be good enough for her.”

I just stare at her.

I don’t know what to say. I have never been in a conversation like this before in my life, and I don’t know what to think. In some ways, I’m quite impressed by how direct she’s being, but in other ways, I’m absolutely flummoxed.

“I think …”

“You think what, Rafe?” She grins.

“I think this conversation is about to come to an end,” I say as I see Juniper headed over to us.

“Hey, Juniper.”

“Hi, Rafe.” She rolls her eyes slightly at me. “Hey, guys. Are you nearly ready? Rosie and I were thinking that we would go down to Cocktails & Chaos. There’s going to be a little dance party, and some of the guys have asked if I’m going to be there.”

“What guys?” I say, stepping forward, frowning slightly. “Is that really a good idea?”

“Is what a good idea?” Juniper says, looking at me, annoyed.

“Going to Cocktails & Chaos to dance with random guys, especially considering what happened the last time you were at Cocktails & Chaos.”

“What? When an oaf dragged me off the stage and took me home?”

“I’m thinking when a prince rescued you from making the biggest mistake of your life.”

“Maybe I wanted to be in a wet T-shirt contest,” she says. “Maybe I wanted to give a lap dance. Maybe I wanted all the men in the bar to stare at me and think,Ooh, look at that hottie.”

I can feel myself growing even more annoyed as she puts her hands on her hips and stares at me.

“You don’t mean that.”

“How would you know what I mean?” She glares at me some more. “In fact, maybe I’ll sign up for another contest tonight if they have one.”

“You would not dare.” I narrow my eyes as I gaze at her.

“I would dare many things, Rafe.”

“Well, maybe if they have a male contest, I’ll enter, and I’ll be giving all the women that want me a lap dance.”

“I think that’s going to be a very short line,” she says, giggling.

“How rude.”