Page 36 of Next Time We'll Fall

JUNIPER

“Am I hearing this correctly? I cannot believe you’re going to be on a reality dating TV show!” Rosie exclaims loudly as we make our way into my bedroom. The space is tight but it’s cozy, with the white shaggy rug and plush green cotton duvet on the bed. The walls are adorned with photos of me and Mia, me and Rosie and Sage, me and other friends. And there are shelves filled with books that I love. My room is my safe space and I am always happy when in my own space.

I stare at her and then at Sage with wide eyes. I can’t believe what’s happening either. I feel like I’m in a dream and I’m not sure if I want to wake up.

“Holy crap, what did I just do?” I rub my forehead and massage my temples to stop a headache from starting up.. “Sorry, God, I didn’t mean to sayholy, but, guys, what am I going to do?”

“You’re going to go on that reality dating TV show, and you’re going to meet a gorgeous and hot billionaire, and you’re going to marry him, and you’re going to introduce us to his rich friends,and we’re all going to live in mansions next to each other in Beverly Hills, 90210, bitch,” Sage says, and we all start laughing.

“I’m not crazy, am I? I don’t even understand how I agreed to this.”

“Girl, you agreed to this because Rafe was there, being an idiot, per usual,” Rosie says. “I do not know what that man’s problem is.”

“I don’t know what his problem is either,” I say, staring at them. “He is so aggravating. I don’t know where he gets off, trying to tell me what he thinks I need to do. Can you believe he said he was my protector and my bodyguard? What is this, the 1800s?”

“Girl, I nearly started laughing.” Sage giggles. “That man needs to shit or get off the pot.”

“But what do you mean?” I stare at her, eyes narrowed.

“It’s quite obvious to me that he’s into you. And if he wants you, then he needs to make his intentions clear. And if he doesn’t want you, then he needs to just give it up and let you meet a real man.”

“He doesn’t want me,” I say quickly.

Sage just stares at me and then looks over at Rosie. Rosie shrugs and looks at me.

“You’re in denial, Juniper. That man definitely has a thing for you.” Sage looks like she wants to shake me and I can tell from the look that she gives Rosie that she thinks I’m being deliberately obtuse.

“No, he doesn’t. I’m just his best friend’s annoying …” I pause. “I mean, I’m just his sister’s best friend.”

“See? You don’t even know what you’re saying anymore, Juni.” Sage shakes her head. “But it doesn’t matter. As far as I’m concerned, Rafe is doing nothing but being annoying, and he’s not even that rich. I mean, granted, he’s a vet, and that means heis a good human being because he loves animals, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to make bank.”

“I don’t care if he makes a lot of money. I’m not looking for a man who makes a lot of money.”

“Yeah, but it would be helpful, right? Didn’t you say your business wasn’t doing that great?”

“I mean, it’s not, but if I’m not going to accept money from Luke, who is engaged to Mia, then I’m certainly not going to accept money from some random man that I don’t even know.”

“What if he proposes to you and you get married?”

“Really, Rosie? Do you really think some random man on a reality dating TV show is going to propose to me, and we’re going to get married and live happily ever after?” I burst out laughing. “And do you really think he’s then going to introduce me to his other rich friends who I can introduce to you guys? Let’s be real here.”

“What? It could happen.”

“Yeah, it could, but it seems very, very unlikely. Anyway, I’m still trying to process everything. How am I going to shoot a reality dating TV show and work at the bookstore and entertain you guys?”

My phone beeps, and I look down at the screen.

“It’s Rafe. Oh my gosh, Rafe’s texting me.” I sound like a repetitive fool, but I can’t stop myself.

“What’s he saying?” Rosie asks.

“I don’t know. I don’t even want to read the message.”

My phone beeps again.

“I’m going to ignore it,” I say to them.

“Call him and see what he wants,” Sage says. “Because you know you’ll just be up all night, wondering.”