Page 69 of Next Time We'll Fall

“Oh man, why are you so emotionally immature?”

“I don’t think I’m emotionally immature,” I respond. “I think I’m interested in your cousin, and I would like to take her on a proper date. And, yeah, I’m sexually attracted to her as well. So, maybe, just maybe, I let that attraction lead. But I want her to see that it’s about more than that.”

“Oh,” Sage says. “So, ask her out.”

“To do what? When? Where?”

“I think you can figure it out,” Rosie says. “You seem like a smart enough guy.”

“And do you think she would be open to that?” I stare at them, waiting for a truthful honest. Needing to know if this was just one-sided.

Sage rolls her eyes and finishes her cone.

Neither one of them says anything.

“Is that a yes? Is that a no?” I prod.

“What to you think, Rafe? You know Juniper. If she had zero interest in you, do you really think she would’ve let you spend the night last night in her bed, naked? Do you really think she would’ve let you go down on her when she was on the phone? Come on now. Why are guys so dumb?”

I stare at them, and it’s my turn to smile. “Are you calling me dumb?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“That hurts my feelings.”

“No, it doesn’t,” she says, shaking her head. “But you know what will hurt your feelings?”

She takes a step forward and looks me straight in the eyes.

“If you hurt my cousin, if you fuck this up, if you fuck up her life, if you ruin her shot at being famous and meeting some hot and amazing guy because you’re a jackass, I’ll fuck you up. Me and Rosie both. And you won’t even see it coming.”

“The only reason we’re not fucking you up right now,” Rosie says, “is because we know Juniper likes you, and we’re pretty confident that you like her too. But man up. If you want her, go and get your girl and stop being a little dickhead about it.”

“I was trying to respect her, and she’s also Mia’s?—”

“Oh my gosh, give it up. Sure, she’s Mia’s best friend. Many men have dated their sister’s best friend. It’s not super taboo. It’s not like she’s your stepsister or something.”

“Well, I know that, but …”

“Stop being an idiot, Rafe. If you like her, go for her. If you don’t, leave her alone.” Sage shakes her head. “You hear me? I want to hear by the end of the week that you’ve asked her on a date or you’ve disappeared off the face of the earth. One or the other.”

“I’m not sure I know how to disappear off the face of the earth.”

“We could make it happen,” Rosie says.

“Are you two in the Mafia and I just don’t know it?”

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?” Sage winks. “Come on, Rosie. Let’s go head to Salty Pages. I told Mia we’d take over for her this afternoon. Good seeing you, Rafe.”

They both offer me a small little wave before they head back down the street.

I stand there with a huge smile on my face because my conversation with them was refreshing, to say the least.

It was odd, and I wouldn’t be shocked if I found out they were the leaders of an organized crime gang.

But I am glad that Juniper has them.

They have her back.