Page 95 of Next Time We'll Fall

“I can’t wait until tonight,” he says, whispering against my lips. “I can’t wait to make you mine one more time.”

“One more time?” I say, raising a single eyebrow, and he laughs.

“Well, maybe not one more time.” He chuckles. “And maybe one billion more times.”

“That’s more like it.” I laugh.

“Or maybe one billion and one.”

“Or maybe one billion and two,” I say. And then he lightly presses his fingers against my lips and I want to melt into him. There’s something comforting about being with Rafe. He’s my safe space. My home. My love. He’s everything I’ve hoped I would find in a partner and yet, it doesn’t feel unreal.

“I love you, Juniper Meadows. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.”

“I love you too, Rafe. I think this is the happiest I’ve ever been.” My heart thuds as he lightly touches the side of my face and stares into my eyes. His fingers trace a line from freckle to freckle and then he kisses each one. My heart explodes with love for this man. And I know that what we have is the height of bliss. We are the two luckiest people in the world.

Chapter 23

RAFE

“I think I love you. I think you’re the one. I think I love you, Juniper. And I think this is our time. Tell me you love me. Tell me you can’t be with anyone else. Make my life. Make my day. Tell me I’m the only one who can sway you in my arms.”

I look down at the crowd of people at Cocktails & Chaos as I sing to Juniper. She’s staring at me, her mouth wide open. I can’t tell if she appreciates the song I created for her or not, but I can definitely tell that Mia is trying not to laugh, even though Sage and Rosie are looking at me and clapping in admiration.

“Should I stop now?” I call out from the stage. “I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

“Continue. That’s lovely,” Rosie shouts out.

I look down at Juniper, and she nods.

“It’s amazing, honey. Continue.”

“Okay. Juniper, will you come up on the stage?”

“Really?” she says, giggling. “Don’t tell me this is going to be another wet T-shirt competition sort of night.”

“No, darling,” I say, laughing, as she climbs up. I grab her hand. “Is this cheesy?”

“I think every woman in the world would want their guy serenading them in front of other people,” she says. “And you have such a lovely voice, Rafe.”

“Thank you.” Then I say, “So, everyone, I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’m up here tonight. My name is Rafe. Some of you may know me as the town vet. Some of you may know me as your brother.” I point at Mia.

“That’s my brother.” She cheers, and Luke claps his hands.

“Some of you may know me just from seeing me around, and many of you have no idea who I am.”

A group of college guys near the bar starts laughing.

I see that Preston is holding a beer up for me, and I grin. I’ve been so grateful that he readily accepted my idea to sing to Juniper.

“So, what many of you don’t know is that Juniper has been best friends with my younger sister for a really long time. And when she was in high school, I knew she had a crush on me, and I always thought that she was absolutely stunning and adorable, but she was still my youngest sister’s best friend, so obviously, nothing was going to happen.

“When she turned eighteen, she had a big birthday party, and we shared a kiss, and it was magical. And I let Juniper down. I thought it was kindly, but I don’t know that she appreciated it.”

“I didn’t appreciate it,” she says loudly, and people start laughing.

“More recently, I’ve come to realize that the beautiful young woman I always admired and shared that amazing kiss with grew into an even more beautiful and desirable?—”

“Hey, keep it PG,” Preston shouts from the bar, and I laugh.